UFA II

UFA II, an archaeological site of the 4–14th centuries. Located in Ufa at the intersection of Pushkin and Vorovskoy streets. Discovered in 1953 by P.F.Ishcherikov, studied between 1957–58 by Ischerikov and N.A.Mazhitov, in 1968 by M.Kh.Sadykova, in 1990 by V.V.Ovsyannikov, in 2004, 2006–10 by Mazhitov, A.N.Sultanova, F.A.Sungatov, R.B.Ismagilov. More than 1500 m² were dug out. The mound is protected by a rampart (10–11 m wide and more than 4 m high) and a moat. Street‑block layout of the place with a boardwalk was traced (with the width of up to 3 m). Ground dwellings of a carcass-column structure with several open hearths (sometimes on a stone platform) have been identified. Household pits (depth down to 2 m) were found. Ceramics found were a number of vessels of the Bakhmutino, Kara‑Yakupovo, Kushnarenkovo, and Turbasly cultures (ref. Archaeological cultures), and also from Central Asia, N. Caucasus, and Central Volga region. There were also found various tools, weapons, jewelry, buckles, items with zoomorphic images, silver coins from the era of the Golden Horde and animal bones. The population engaged in the processing of metals, pottery, bone‑carving, weaving, jewelry, trade, and cattle breeding. U. II ground is studied in conjunction with the located nearby Ufa burial grounds and fortifications. Presumably, the particular artifact was the medieval city of Bashkort, known from written sources from 2–14th centuries. In order to carry out scientific study and preserve the memory of these events in 2011, the Ancient Ufa Museum‑Reserve was created.