Arkaim settlement

Arkaim is an archaeological complex consisting of a settlement, a burial ground and settlements dating from the 20th/18th to the 18th/16th centuries BC. This complex is part of the Sintashta culture and is known as the “Land of Cities”. Located in the valleys of the Bolshaya Karaganka and Utyaganka rivers in the Chelyabinsk region of Russia, Arkaim was discovered in 1971 and explored in the following decades.

The discovery of the complex happened by chance in June 1987 thanks to a team of the Ural-Kazakh archaeological expedition. Despite the fact that the expedition was initially sent to unpromising work in the construction area of the Bolshe-Karagansky reservoir, two schoolchildren discovered an unusual terrain that attracted the attention of researchers.

Arkaim belongs to the Sintashta type of settlements of the Bronze Age. Thanks to previous experience in researching archaeological sites from this period, scientists quickly determined the significance of the discovery and began systematic research.

However, there was a threat of flooding of all archaeological sites in the reservoir construction area. Thanks to the active position of some scientists and directors, it was possible to delay the flooding for two years. In 1992, after the construction of the dam was closed, the territory with the settlement was allocated for the organization of an experimental natural landscape and historical and archaeological reserve.

Arkaim is considered one of the most significant archaeological finds in Russia, being of interest not only to scientists, but also to the general public who seek to understand the history and culture of ancient peoples.

Description of the ancient settlement Arkaim

Arkaim is a unique archaeological complex consisting of a settlement and a burial ground, located in the valleys of the Bolshaya Karaganka and Utyaganka rivers in the Chelyabinsk region of Russia. The settlement has two rings of ramparts, the diameters of which are 143-145 m and 85 m, respectively, as well as four passages oriented to the cardinal points. The main passage faces west. Inside the shafts there are dwellings that form two rings with diameters of 39-40 m (external) and 27 m (internal). Between the rings of dwellings there was a circular street with a wooden pavement over a storm drain ditch.

The dwellings inside the settlement had a frame structure and a trapezoidal plan. The area of each dwelling ranged from 110 to 180 square meters. Inside the dwellings, traces of hearths, furnaces, wells and cellars were found, as well as signs of metallurgical production.

The purpose of the complex remains a matter of debate. There are various assumptions about its function, including a fortress, refuge, metallurgical, commercial or sacred center.

A few kilometers northeast of the settlement is the Bolshekaragansky burial ground. It includes mounds under which there were burial areas surrounded by ditches. These sites contain from 7 to 20 burial and sacrificial pits. The burials had a varied structure and were accompanied by extensive grave goods, including ceramic vessels, metal tools and weapons, as well as animal remains, including horses, cattle and dogs.

Legends and secrets of Arkaim

The idea of preserving and mythologizing Arkaim has become widespread among esotericists, psychics, ufologists, nationalists and neo-pagans, as well as in works recognized by the scientific community as pseudo-historical. During the period of the crisis of socialism and the ideological vacuum caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union, people were looking for new ideological guidelines, which led to fantasies and mythologization of Arkaim.

The esoteric “development” of Arkaim began in 1991 and became comprehensive by the beginning of the 21st century. There are many ideas and interpretations regarding Arkaim, including its connection with the "Aryan" (Slavic) civilization, its role as a "place of power", the "ancestral home" of the Slavs or "Aryans", as well as its use as an observatory by aliens or its connection with the mythical northern the country of Hyperborea.

The mythologization of Arkaim has given rise to a number of theories and concepts that do not correspond to scientific evidence, such as the idea of its connection with the ancient "Aryan" (Slavic) civilization or its use by aliens. These ideas are supported by both scientists and esotericists, and often become the subject of public discussion.

Currently, scientific research in Arkaim has practically ceased due to its status as a “holy place” and a large amount of mythologization, which makes it difficult to objectively study its history and culture.