BOUT EVERYDAY CULTURE OF RESIDENTS OF FORTRESSES AND REDOUBTS OF THE AZOV-MOZDOK LINE (BASED ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the characterization of objects discovered during archaeological excavations (and reconnaissance) of fortresses and redoubts that formed the Azov-Mozdok defensive line at the end of the 18th — beginning of the 19th centuries, as well as the reconstruction of the features of the daily culture of the settlers of these fortifications. The research provides information on the types of weaponry used in the fortresses (types of guns, types of ammunition, details of guns, etc.), the forms of fortress bastions, the spatial organization of dwellings in soldiers' settlements, features of the internal structure of dugouts and half-dugouts, etc. The list of occupations and crafts practiced by the local population (except for those prescribed by the charter) has been clarified. The study establishes the range of goods available at local fairs and trading shops, including products originating from craft centres in the North Caucasus and European countries. Identified numismatic materials were analyzed. A number of archaeological finds testify to some aspects of leisure activities by the soldier, Cossack population (visiting church and celebrating church holidays; visiting fairs; fishing; smoking, gambling) and noble settler officers (visiting church and celebrating church holidays; home gatherings with friends and colleagues; hunting; occasionally, balls).