Uryv on the Don

Cities of Khazaria. Kromos Estatium
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     The khazar cities here include not only those cities that were built by the khazar architects, but also those that were built before the arrival of the khazars, were used by the khazars for their needs and tasks for a long time.
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Uryv on the Don **
     Of all ancient settlements of the end of the first Millennium before Christ in this area, only large settlement Storojevoe and Uryv-Pokrovka belong to the town that could control this part territory of the basin Don river of the present Voronezh region.
     Uryv was a fairly large settlement, which was fortified with earthen ramparts of loamy earth with stones and deep ditches.
     Lexicologists and local researchers generally agree that this ancient defensive point was called Uryv, confirming their opinion by the fact that the fortress was built on the high cape of the Don at the very cliff into it. Built on this site in the middle of the 17th century, the fortress took over this name from local elders who kept the glorious history of the ancient cape in their tales.
     Early settlements on this cape belong to the scythians of the 2nd century before Christ, which researchers of the 21st century believe to be attributed to the city, based on the fact that this settlement had fortifications reinforced with clay-based ramparts and ditches. That suggested the presence of a military garrison here, which protected the family of the local scythian-sarmatian King, and also controlled the pedestrian and waterway.
     According to indirect data, a crossing or ferry to the other side was arranged here. In the late middle ages, there was a pier in its place, where river boats were also collected.
     Around this center, there were several sites of similar culture. All of them were located in lowlands near streams or in gullies and beams.
     Uryv is considered a harbinger of future cities in this area, in fact a proto-city on the Don, which stands out for its specialness, since it is noticeable that social events were held here, and the clan leader was here.
     Archaeologists refer this ancient city to the Middle Don scythian culture. It was one of the largest fortified objects of the Prydon forest-steppe. The area of the settlement was more than one and a half hectares. The dwellings of the city were not distinguished by special refinement, they were the usual for the scythians peaked structures made of twigs, smeared with clay. Residents were engaged in fishing and hunting. Clay vessels with finger ornaments were produced here. Amphorae for storing liquids are also found on the site.
     In the middle of the 17th century, a log-built prison was built here, which became part of the Belgorod defensive line.
     The fortress was well equipped and was impregnable to nomads. Five towers were built into the walls of the fortress, one of them was a four-horse carriageway.
     The fortress was defended by the Russian state from the tartars of all kinds, but especially from the Crimean extremists, who still claimed the Moscow Principality.
     Simultaneously with the fortress, the Pokrovsky Cathedral was built on its territory, then there was built the Uspescaya Church.
     In documents of the 17th century, Uryv was listed first as a prison, by the end of the century as a city, and from the beginning of the 18th century, only as a prison, fortress or village. This indicates its military-strategic importance in the first place. There was nothing special about the craft here, only river plows were built on the nearby pier.
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