TURAKHAN KESHENE

TURAKHAN KESHENE, an artifact of history and architecture dating back to the 14th century. It is located near Derevnya Nizhniye Termy of Chishminsky Raion, on the left bank of the Slak River (the basin of the Dyoma River). It was described in 1845 by V.S.Yumatov, studied in 1976 by E.L.Khvorostova, and, in 1988 by G.N.Garustovich. The Keshene (height 5.4 m) is a square construction at the base (the width of the outer wall is 6.6 m, of the inner wall it is 4.4 m; with the height of 3.2 m). It has a dome‑shaped eight faceted structure with an internal hemispherical part made of volcanic tuff. The walls (1.1 m thick) are made of limestone and sandstone slabs. The entrance (height of 2.5 m, width of 1.5 m) is from the east. It is a portal (height of 3.4 m) with a vaulted ceiling, platform and steps. In the west and south the walls have arched window openings. Two burial sites were discovered. One of the dead lay in a wooden coffin on his back, with his head directed towards W; there were found remnants of the bottom part of a long undershirt which had ornamentation embroidery in the form of circles. Bones of animals were also found. This keshene belongs to the early Muslim burial sites of the Bulgarian type.