Ancient Arkaim city, located in the Chelyabinsk region, is a real secret of the distant history of mankind. Arkaim can rightfully be considered one of the most significant archaeological sites. An interesting fact is that the discovery of this unique ancient city was made by only two scientists (S. G. Botalov and V. S. Mosin), who were sent on a standard mission.
This was in 1987. For the needs of the local irrigation system, it was necessary to build a reservoir. According to the rules of that time, before implementing such ideas, it was necessary to survey the area for archaeological finds.
Both scientists rather sadly began to study the Ural steppe. They were helped by schoolchildren from neighboring areas and enthusiasts. Quite quickly, archaeologists discovered unusual reliefs, which were first noticed by military cartographers back in 1957.
Arkaim from a bird's eye view
However, despite the obvious importance of the find, the construction area of the economic system had to be flooded. And only thanks to the persistent and principled position of director B.B. Piotrovsky managed to defend this unique historical monument.
Today the complex has been restored in many of its aspects. By the way, Arkaim is named after the name of the one next to it. But let's see what characteristics this mysterious reserve has.
Ancient city of Arkaim
Many interesting facts are associated with this place. We will only talk about the main things, in our opinion.
So, the diameter of the city, or, as it is more accurately called, the fortified settlement of Arkaim, is only 170 meters. By modern standards, this is not much, but if you consider that these structures were built at least 4 thousand years ago, you can’t help but be amazed at the details.
Aerial view of the ancient city Arkaim is surrounded by two walls, and inside there are apartment buildings. A moat with water, with an average depth of 2 meters, was built around the fortress to protect against external enemies. The outer wall, which has four entrances, was 5.5 meters high and almost 5 meters thick. There was a square in the center. People lived and worked in the city, while animals grazed outside the walls and climbed inside only in case of emergency.
The internal seven-meter wall was 3 meters thick and had only one entrance. To get to the central part of the city, you had to walk along the entire length of the ring street.
Reconstruction of the city of Arkaim 
A museum excavation site on two dwellings Almost all buildings were made of ordinary logs, which were stuffed with clay inside. There are also structures made from dried (not baked) bricks.
Workshops, pottery and metallurgical production, as well as premises for public and private use were found in the Arkaim fortress.
A storm sewer was provided around the settlement, which drained water outside the fortress.
According to research by scientists, this place was inhabited by representatives of the Caucasian race. Reconstructions of the skulls of men and women from Arkaim can be found in Chelyabinsk museums.
It is not known for certain how long this fortress existed. It was only possible to establish the fact that the city was destroyed by fire. What it was - arson, an accident or an enemy attack - is also unclear.
Arkaim and the Country of Cities
Be that as it may, this unique reserve became the basis for many studies in general and the discovery of a large archaeological complex - the Country of Cities in particular. Scientists have discovered many interesting facts related to this settlement.
Thus, over a fairly large area (about 350 kilometers), many fortresses built like Arkaim were found, which indicates a fully established civilization of that time.
Panoramic photograph of the surroundings of Arkaim This territory today is called the Country of Cities. History has not preserved any accurate information about the Country of Cities, so all hopes for restoring the past rest only on archaeologists. By the way, excavations and research are still being carried out here, in which outstanding scientists from many countries around the world take part.
- The monument was first discovered by cartographers in 1957. However, no research has been undertaken.
- In 1987, a cultural center was opened and active research work was carried out.
- The walls of Arkaim, consisting of two rings, have a total area of 20,000 square meters.
- The central square, which apparently served as a place for some kind of ritual activities, had dimensions of 25x27 meters.
- 35 dwellings were found near the outer wall, and 25 near the inner wall.
- Artistic figurines and ceramic vessels were found in Arkaim.
- Wells, storerooms, kitchens with fireplaces and bedrooms were found in the houses. In each courtyard there was a small workshop where they sculpted and sewed clothes, carpentry and prepared weapons. The most common artisans were blacksmiths and foundries.
Arkaim - the ancestral home of the Aryans and Slavs
It must be said that this unique archaeological reserve attracts many people. In 2005, he came here, and therefore there were rumors that this was a real source of extraterrestrial power. Esotericists in their own way interpret this place as the cradle of human civilization in general.
You can often hear that this is where the most powerful energy flows of the earth pass. It is worth adding that the village of Arkaim is located at the same latitude as, which are also considered “places of power.”
Mikhail Zadornov is one of the active promoters of this point of view. It is important to emphasize here that in pseudoscience, when it comes to Arkaim, its development is significantly exaggerated. You can find detailed descriptions online that this complex served almost as an observatory for communication with space. Of course, such fantasies have no basis.
Of course, Arkaim is a great historical and architectural monument, but it is unlikely that such antiquity will ever be explained. This, unfortunately, remains the lot of scientific hypotheses and assumptions.
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At the end of the 80s of the 20th century, the ancient settlement of Arkaim was discovered in the south of the Chelyabinsk region. They wanted to flood this place and make a reservoir, but scientists managed to defend the excavation site. Now there is a museum-reserve where research is carried out and new secrets that Arkaim keeps are revealed. The ancient city is one of many settlements. They are believed to be over four thousand years old. This makes this archaeological complex the most ancient place of civilization.
Why did such a name appear - Arkaim? The ancient city is located a few kilometers from the mountain with that name, and this wasteland was also called Arkaim on old maps. During the research, it turned out that this was not the only settlement of those years. The Sintashta complex, belonging to the same culture, was previously discovered. The settlements are located on an area of about 300 kilometers, and they were called the Country of Cities.
Why is Arkaim, the ancient city, better known? An airplane photo of this area shows its structure. The bypass ditch, rings of defensive earthen fortifications and the central square are clearly visible. The settlement is located in the form of concentric circles, within which the dwellings were located. The total area of the settlement is about 20 thousand square meters. Not the entire territory has been explored yet, and what has been excavated raises more questions.
After all, it turns out that on the territory of Europe the very first center of civilization is Arkaim. The ancient city was built using much technical knowledge unknown at that time. For example, there is a sewerage system, a well-thought-out water supply system, and a metallurgical industry. Developed infrastructure also causes bewilderment among researchers.
The structure of the city is unusual. It consists of two circles. The outer wall is more than five meters thick and high. There are four passages made in it, which form a correctly directed solar cross - a swastika. The buildings are also located in a circle: there are 35 of them in the outer one, and 25 in the inner one. A total of 29 dwellings have now been explored. Each of them contains a hearth, a well, outbuildings and a metallurgical furnace. To get to the central square, you had to walk along the entire perimeter, moving in the direction of the sun, because there was only one entrance in the inner ring.
Many scientists believe that Arkaim was an ancient observatory. After all, its radial design and correct orientation to the sun and stars makes it possible to observe 18 astronomical events: new moons, full moons, solstices and equinoxes. And even such a famous ancient building as Stonehenge allows you to observe only 15 events, although they are located at the same latitude with Arkaim.
The secrets of the ancient city of Arkaim have not yet been solved. Why was it built, why was it so unexpectedly abandoned by all the inhabitants and burned? Moreover, the residents left, taking all the utensils with them. Only a few burial grounds near the city allow us to judge the morals and customs of the people of that time. After the disappearance of the city's inhabitants, no one lived in this place. This territory is still considered the strongest in Russia.
According to official science, the ancient city of Arkaim arose in the third millennium BC, but until the end of the twentieth century, any information about it was virtually completely absent.
More than three decades after the discovery of this settlement by archaeologists, they have not been able to come closer to unraveling its significance.
Many consider this mysterious place to be the cradle of Indo-European civilization. It is described in detail in the sacred book of Hindus, the Rig Veda, and is revered among adherents of the very first religion in the world, Zoroastrianism, which laid the foundation for all modern teachings based on the belief in one God.
If you try to find its brief definition and look on the Internet, then Wikipedia says about Arkaim that it is a fortified city, “... a fortified settlement of the Middle Bronze Age at the turn of the 20th/18th–18th/16th centuries. BC, belonging to the so-called “Country of Cities.” But this is brief... But you want to have complete information about this mysterious place and find out its most important mystery - where did the population of this once prosperous, and then suddenly deserted city go?
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Geographic location, how to find it on the map
It is located at the junction of Asia and Europe, in the Kizilsky district of the Chelyabinsk region on a hill, at the confluence of the Utyaganka and Bolshaya Karaganka rivers.
Looking at the map of the Chelyabinsk region, we will see below Magnitogorsk, near the Bolshaya Karaganka River, the desired object.
Nearby are the villages of Aleksandrovsky and Amursky, which belong to the lands of the Southern Urals. In order to get to the nearest railway station, you will have to cover a distance of 150 km to Magnitogorsk. From Ufa to the natural-historical state reserve Ilmensky reserve you will need to travel 500 km, from Chelyabinsk - 450 km.
History of discovery
The archaeological expedition, during which the discovery was discovered, was organized in 1987 with the aim of studying the relief and landscape of the steppe region of our country, which was not of particular interest.
In fact, the researchers were helped by chance. In 1987, an expedition was organized to get acquainted with the place where they soon began to build a reservoir
It consisted of only two prominent scientists (V.S. Mosin and S.G. Botalov) and several schoolchildren from the local society of archeology lovers.
However, two students managed to discover a number of very interesting artifacts that managed to attract the attention of many famous researchers of the time, among whom was the director of the Hermitage, academician Boris Borisovich Piotrovsky. It was he who first appreciated the importance of the discovery and achieved a delay in the flooding of the landscape for several years.
The confrontation between the scientific community and Giprovodkhoz lasted immediately until the collapse of the Soviet Union and ended with the victory of the former: the area, covering an area of more than 3,000 hectares, was given the status of a protected area.
Do you know that: schoolchildren who made a huge contribution to the development of national culture and history were awarded a rather modest prize in the form of two cans of condensed milk.
Fire
To date, there is no single hypothesis that answers the question of why residents left their homes. According to the most common version, this happened as a result of a strong fire, which, based on a number of factors, was not a surprise to them.
It is believed that the residents once had a fire, as a result of which everything burned out
Note: As a result of many archaeological excavations carried out, no everyday objects such as pottery or tools were found. There are also no human remains, which has led various scientists trying to unravel its mystery to a dead end.
One version says that approximately three and a half millennia before the present day, the Santorini volcano, located in Greek lands, erupted, which forced local residents to leave their habitat and go in search of a new refuge.
There is also a version that attributes forced migration to the consequences of an environmental disaster, which turned a hitherto favorable area into an extremely dangerous area.
Note: there is also a more “down-to-earth” theory, according to which local residents abandoned their housing due to the fact that the surrounding nature became more scarce and ceased to satisfy the increased needs for grain and cereals
.Current state
The construction dates back to the Middle Bronze Age, but according to a number of hypotheses, this settlement arose several thousand years before its onset. Most researchers agree that the ancient village is the same age as the famous Egyptian pyramids or even older than them.
Many people believe that this is a unique place of power. Thousands of pilgrims from all countries come here - to the Chelyabinsk steppes - to recharge their batteries and say goodbye to diseases forever
After the excavations of the single-layer round-shaped fortification were completed, archaeologists again covered it with a layer of soil. This was done in order to ensure maximum safety of the remains of the foundation and fortifications, which are destroyed under the influence of various natural factors.
Many defensive fortifications, walls and elements of various structures have survived to this day in relatively good condition, so the indicated place quickly gained popularity among tourists and fans of cultural recreation.
Architecture
The fortification was built according to the radial type, by analogy with which Moscow was designed many thousands of years later. The city diagram is a regular circle, with a second circle inside it.
This is both a temple and an observatory. Its structure resembles a huge horoscope with a diameter of 160 meters with clearly identified twelve signs of the Zodiac and 28 lunar stations used in lunar astrology
If you fly by plane or helicopter, you will immediately notice two perfectly even circles with a diameter of about one and a half hundred meters. Soviet pilots noticed this interesting feature back in the mid-twentieth century, but they mistook the outline of the ancient village for one of the military installations hidden from prying eyes.
The settlement performed several functions, including defensive. Therefore, its outer walls were very high (about 5 meters), massive, and surrounded along the entire perimeter by a deep ditch. There were four entrances, the central and largest of which was in the southwestern part.
Interesting fact: the settlement had only one street 5 meters wide, with a log deck, and a system of storm drains, thanks to which all sewage went far beyond the boundaries of the settlement.
Dwellings were closely adjacent to the outer wall and had separate exits to the main street. The inner wall was even more massive than the outer one, and its height, according to archaeologists, reached 7 meters. This part of the fortification had only one passage in the southeastern area, and in order to get into the inner ring, it was necessary to bypass the entire central radial street.
This architectural feature pursued not only purely practical defensive purposes, but also had a certain hidden meaning: any person entering the city center had to take the same path that the Sun takes every day.
Approximate Layout
The central square had a square outline. Based on archaeological finds in the middle of the settlement and the remains of large fire pits, scientists suggest that this part was used directly for various sacraments and magical rituals. If we turn to the ancient cosmogonic myths about the structure and creation of the Universe, then in them the Earth was schematically depicted as a square, and a circle denoted the space surrounding the planet.
Take note: The four entrances to the town form a pattern resembling a swastika. This sign, directed along the direction of the solar disk, was a symbol of creation, happiness and good luck among the Indo-European peoples.
Thus, the builders of this mysterious city built it in the likeness of the universal development project, as it was described in the sacred books of that time. One can only marvel at the genius of engineers who lived many thousands of years before our days, since it is incredibly difficult to construct such a complex, even with today’s knowledge.
There were up to 40 dwellings along the outer wall, and 27 along the inner wall. Again, when viewed from above, these houses resembled the spokes of a wheel.
Both in the outer ring and in its inner ring, the layout of streets and the location of houses were similar. There are no signs of sharp social stratification here.
For the construction of the fortified settlement, mainly specially processed wood and brick were used, for the manufacture of which ingredients such as manure, soil and straw were used. A similar mixture is still quite actively used by a number of peoples for the construction of “adobe” low-rise houses.
Ancient builders used special facing bricks of various colors to cover the external walls, so it is obvious that the view from the outside was truly mesmerizing.
This is interesting: Each dwelling located in the city had its own stove, sewer system, dome-shaped food storage with a cooling pipe, and even a personal well. Another pipe served as a hood, and its draft was quite sufficient for processing copper.
Ancient observatory
Numerous researchers have been able to discover many similarities between this ancient city and such a mysterious structure as the famous one. Both monuments are located in the middle of bowl-shaped valleys, have a ring structure and virtually identical dimensions of the internal rampart.
Moreover, some experts agree that these two structures were erected at approximately the same period and were aimed at observing certain cosmic cycles.
Arkaim is a near-horizon observatory. Because during measurements and observations, the moments of rising and setting of the luminaries (Sun and Moon) above the horizon were used. Moreover, the moment of “separation” (or touching) of the lower edge of the disk was detected, which makes it possible to most accurately detect the location of this event
Thanks to the peculiarities of its design, the ancient find makes it possible to accurately track the movement of the Moon and the Sun across the sky. It is obvious that even then scientists devoted a lot of time to observing 18 astronomical events that were of particular importance. Modern researchers have established that several dozen sights were located on the outer and inner walls of the fortification, each of which was designed to observe a particular space object.
Note: The radial design of the city is built in exact accordance with the 12 divisions of the zodiac circle, the sunset and sunrise points of the Sun and Moon, as well as the features of the autumn and spring equinoxes. According to one of the leading researchers of this cult settlement, K. Bystrushkin, the inner circle was dedicated to the main celestial body, and the outer circle, respectively, to the Earth’s satellite, the Moon.
What's on site
Today's Arkaim is presented in the form of a museum complex, which is spread over a fairly vast territory of a landscape reserve. It includes a number of full-fledged reconstructions and several indoor museums, where various artifacts and the most interesting archaeological finds are collected. Also on display for visitors are objects made of stone and bronze, made by archaeologists and enthusiasts using the methods used by the inhabitants of the settlement.
Inside, the interior of the dwellings was recreated, household items were made and utility structures were built - hearths, cellars, sleeping bunks, etc.
There are more than 75 cultural monuments on the territory, and each of them deserves the closest attention.
Let's talk about some of them:
- The “Museum of Man and Nature” is located here, where comprehensive information is collected about the peculiarities of the spiritual and material culture of the peoples who inhabited these lands in various periods. The museum features sections dedicated to the Stone Age, exhibitions on the early period of metal processing and the Middle Ages.
- The historical park contains a large number of reconstructions of religious and funerary buildings, mysterious cult stones, statues of nomadic warriors and family graveyards.
- The museum, dedicated to ancient production, invites visitors to get acquainted with the technologies of processing ceramics and smelting metal products.
- “Cossack Estate” is a reconstruction of the house of a real Cossack family from, in which the living conditions of the late nineteenth century were recreated.
- “Mound Temir” is an exact copy of the tomb of the steppe nomadic tribes, in which the most revered tribesmen and their relatives were buried.
Note: Among the dwellings of the Stone and Copper Ages, you can watch theatrical performances dedicated to real historical events, or take part in a real master class on making tools and implements of the Paleolithic era.
What excursions are available?
The introductory sightseeing tour provides an excellent opportunity to visit all the key hills and ledges, as well as climb Mount Desires, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
After a detailed excursion, any beginner will be able to receive a lot of interesting information, and in the future independently select for themselves the optimal route through this mysterious reserve.
The Museum of Ancient Productions is also called the Museum of Furnaces. The photo shows a kiln for firing ceramics
The territory of the ancient city is full of so-called sources of power and labyrinths, through which you can learn a lot of new things in terms of self-knowledge and put your own thoughts in order.
In addition, among the unusual natural monuments in the reserve there are: the Ledge of the Priestess, the Mountain of Love, a male and female forest, the Wound of the Earth (a zone of positive healing energy) and the Mountain of Shamans.
Tourist Information
What attracts tourists, how to get to the site and what time is best to do it? We will consider these and other questions in detail.
Why it's worth a visit
People say that while walking around the sights, you can make a wish that will certainly come true, cleanse yourself of negative energy and enjoy healing sounds that promote spiritual enlightenment and correction of energy centers.
When you go to the mountain of love, having previously cleared your thoughts on Shamanka, you need to think only thoughts that are useful for the body and mind: love for yourself and the world contributes to the fulfillment of desires, which can be ordered at the mountain at the top
Good to know: Arkaim is included in a kind of top list of places that need to be visited in Russia. At the moment, the attraction is a kind of Mecca, where seekers of harmony from all over the Universe, fans of archeology, history, and simply people who want to unwind from everyday problems flock.
There are many reviews from eyewitnesses who once visited this territory and got rid of chronic diseases, improved their personal lives and managed to overcome a protracted black streak.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the old town is from late spring to mid-autumn.
Advice for those who want to see with their own eyes the signs of a bygone civilization - you must ask permission from the Spirit of Arkaim to visit it, give compelling reasons why you are going. They say they don't let everyone in
Note: Those planning to visit Arkaim should know that this museum complex is closed to the public in autumn and winter.
Tourists can leave their vehicles in a parking lot nearby and place tents in an area specially designated for this purpose. However, it is worth knowing that the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the reserve itself and in its surroundings is strictly prohibited, as is, in fact, the destruction of fauna and flora and the throwing of garbage in inappropriate places.
How to get there
You can get to the museum complex by train from Magnitogorsk station, as well as from the capital of the Southern Urals - Chelyabinsk. From there there is a daily bus service throughout the summer.
The easiest way to travel from Moscow is by plane to Chelyabinsk. From Chelyabinsk in the summer season a bus is organized to Arkaim. Either from Chelyabinsk to Magnitogorsk, and from there to the village of Bredy
Where to stay
From the windows of the Muzeynaya Hotel, consisting of two cozy wooden houses located next to the Museum of Nature and Man, there is a magnificent view of the steppe horizons, the Cossack estate and the mill.
There is a hotel on site for tourists, a canteen and a cafe. Hotel accommodation per person costs about 700 rubles, in trailers it will be cheaper. Entrance to the territory itself with a guided tour will cost about 600 rubles.
What to take with you on a trip
Take care of drinking water in advance, otherwise you will need a lot of money when you arrive. Water, like other drinks, is quite expensive here. Don’t forget the basic attributes that help you capture interesting views, nature, sights - video and photographic equipment.
Hats, caps, bandanas will help protect you from the scorching sun; don’t forget headwear.
Conclusion
Arkaim is a city permeated with an atmosphere of mystery and magic, by visiting which many people gain the ability to change their lives for the better and solve a number of important problems.
Special energy comes from the nearby mountains - Love, Shaman, Reason, Visions, Repentance and others. Visiting tourists love to see off and greet the sun at sunsets and sunrises from the highest local Mount of Love. It offers a beautiful panoramic view
Indeed, this area is located in a zone of paleovolcano and increased magnetism, the nature of which has not been fully studied to date.
Watch the video in which the archaeologist talks about what Arkaim is, where it is located, and what excursions there are:
Arkaim is an ancient city, a fortified settlement that dates back to the turn of the 2nd-3rd millennium BC and is located in Russia on an elevated cape formed by the confluence of the Bolshaya Karaganka and Utyaganka rivers, a few kilometers from the Amur village, in the Chelyabinsk region. Arkaim is an archaeological monument, natural landscape and historical reserve. This settlement acquired its name due to its proximity to Mount Arkaim.
A distinctive feature of the city of Arkaim is the unique preservation of defensive structures, burial grounds and the historical integrity of the landscape.
The ancient city of Arkaim - history and photographs.
In 1987, an archaeological expedition led by S. G. Botalov and V. S. Mosin arrived in the village of Amursky to survey the territory. It was planned to build the Bolshe-Karagansky reservoir to provide water to the agricultural areas of the region. No one could even imagine how interesting and historically significant this trip would turn out to be, unpromising at first glance. The ancient village was discovered by schoolchildren who were part of the expedition group, just a couple of kilometers from the camp. They were interested in the incomprehensible terrain. Initially, it was assumed that the found objects would be completely flooded, but thanks to Academician Piotrovsky and G.A. The archaeological find was preserved for months.
This lost city was quite well fortified, had two necropolises, and several pastures for livestock. The settlement reached a diameter of approximately 170 meters. Its walls were round and covered each other. If you look at the city from above, you can see that it was actually a round fortress. The outer walls and walls of the buildings were made of logs smeared with clay, as well as dried bricks also made of clay. You can examine the entire infrastructure of the city: there was a fairly clear distinction between residential sectors and workshops. It is safe to say that metallurgical production was carried out in the city of Arkaim. At that time, not a single ancient city located on the territory of old Europe could boast of such knowledge.
In the center of the city of Arkaim there is an observation area; most likely, meetings were held there or important city issues were resolved. To drain rainwater, a storm sewer was built, which transported excess water outside the city. There is also a striking similarity between the structure of the city of Arkaim and the circles of Stonehenge.
Who lived in the ancient city of Arkaim?
Archaeologists have discovered quite a lot of valuable finds in the area city of Arkaim. Among them are jewelry, household utensils, and agricultural implements. Anthropologists were able to restore the appearance of the inhabitants of Arkaim thanks to the skulls found in the burial grounds. Through a series of experiments, scientists were able to find out that the local inhabitants of the ancient city were the Aryan civilization.
All exhibits that were found in the ancient village during excavations are exhibited in the Museum of Archeology and Ethnography and in the Chelyabinsk Regional Museum of Local Lore. Scientists have only been able to establish the approximate age of the city, but how long Arkaim existed is still a mystery. There is a version that about 4000 years ago ancient Aryans lived in Arkaim, who migrated here from the sunken Arctic - Hyperborea.
Legends of the ancient city of Arkaim.
Many legends are associated with Arkaim. One of them says that all its inhabitants had telekinesis and hypnosis. They could transmit their thoughts over vast distances and communicated with the souls of deceased ancestors. They also had extensive knowledge of astrology and knew the star chart well. It is believed that the city was lost due to a large fire, and there are several versions of the tragedy that occurred. According to one, the city was burned by the residents themselves due to a terrible disease that arose. According to the second, the city of Arkaim was burned by enemies who attacked peacefully sleeping people. It is clearly visible that the city residents were gathering in great haste, as a large number of utensils remained in their places.
To this day, the flow of not only scientists and tourists, but also adventurers, esotericists, sorcerers and psychics does not dry up in Arkaim. Many people come to Russia to the ancient city of Arkaim with tents to enjoy the beauty of the night sky, large moon and bright stars.
Arkaim is one of the most famous sights of the Urals, having the reputation of an unusual, mysterious, even anomalous place. Every year many thousands of miracle lovers from all over the country come here. In addition to tourists, you can meet many esotericists, psychics and other extraordinary people here.
History of the discovery of Arkaim
Arkaim is a fortified Bronze Age settlement (fortified settlement) in the steppe zone in the south of the Chelyabinsk region. Was found by scientists in June 1987 during an archaeological survey of the territory that was supposed to go under water as a result of the construction of the Bolshekaragan reservoir.
Archaeological scientists managed to delay the flooding of the area for two years. They were actively supported by the director of the Hermitage, Academician B.B. Piotrovsky. Later, plans to build a reservoir were abandoned altogether. Arkaim managed to defend.
In 1991, large-scale excavations of Arkaim began under the leadership of G.B. Zdanovich. Approximately half of the settlement area was uncovered. For the first time in the Trans-Urals, the reconstruction method was used, drawings and models of the appearance of the settlement were made. In the same year, the territory around the ancient settlement was declared a protected area, formally joining as a branch to the Ilmensky Mineralogical Reserve (one would think, what has that in common?!).
Among the finds in Arkaim: pottery and potters' tools, molds for casting metal products, anvils, arrowheads, horse harnesses, infant burials in the walls of dwellings, remains of domestic animals, water supply, sewerage.
In the 1990s, Arkaim gained great fame and popularity. In addition to Arkaim, archaeologists found a couple of dozen more ancient settlements nearby, collectively calling them "Land of Cities". The most famous is the settlement of Sintashta.
Myths of Arkaim
Since the early 1990s, Arkaim has become very popular among esotericists. It is called a place of power, the ancestral home of the Aryans, the cradle of human civilization, the birthplace of Zarathustra... Arkaim is actively used in pseudoscientific publications. They also like to overestimate the level of development of the settlement’s inhabitants. However, all this runs counter to real scientific data.
Many gullible tourists come here with the goal of witnessing anomalous phenomena or being healed. A heated imagination sometimes really allows you to see a miracle in ordinary things.
Sights of Arkaim
The age of the fortified Bronze Age settlement is 4 thousand years. Much older archaeological sites are known in the Urals. The uniqueness of Arkaim is that it was created according to a pre-thought-out plan, with a complex and multifunctional architecture.
Arkaim is named after the mountain located 4 kilometers to the south. The toponym “Arkaim” comes from the Turkic word “arch” - “ridge”, “back”, “base”.
The settlement is located on a cape at the confluence rivers Bolshaya Karaganka and Utyaganka. The proto-city-settlement has ring shape with a diameter of 170 meters. In place of the walls of the settlement, only small ramparts can now be discerned, representing two circles - an outer and an inner one. The dwellings were located inside. Everything was made of wood, and therefore almost nothing survived.
Rooms in the shape of a circular sector were attached to both ring walls. In fact, the city was a wooden fortress consisting of two “apartment” buildings. The walls were made of logs filled with clay and unfired clay bricks. The dwellings had wells, fireplaces, and storage pits. In the very center of the settlement there was a square, to which straight streets led. One of the unique features of the city is the storm sewer system, which drained water outside the settlement.
Based on the skulls found, scientists determined that the settlers belonged to the Caucasian race. Anthropological reconstructions of a man and a woman can be seen in the Chelyabinsk Regional Museum of Local Lore and the Museum of Nature and Humanity of the Arkaim Nature Reserve.
The inhabitants were metallurgists, cattle breeders, farmers and warriors. They knew how to process hides, bones, make pottery and weave. The archaeological site was dated to the turn of the 3rd-2nd millennium BC. e., or by the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. e. Similar proto-cities were not found in the Urals in the later period of the Bronze Age. It is unknown why, but one day the residents decided to pack up all their belongings, leave their homes and go to another place. Before this, the fort burned down. For this reason, finds at the site are few in number.
From the surface of the earth there is nothing special to see here. Tourists going on an excursion to the ancient settlement usually experience a feeling of disappointment. The only way to see the outlines of the ancient settlement is from the air. Nevertheless, local scientists seriously talk about the origin of the Aryan race here, and about the ancient observatory located here. They draw analogies in the texts of the ancient Iranian “Avesta” and the ancient Indian “Rigveda”. Aryans are the ancient self-name of the Indo-Iranian tribes. Currently, these peoples include: Iranians, Tajiks, Ossetians, Kurds, Baluchis, peoples of India. The Scythians and Sarmatians spoke similar languages. The question of the ancestral homeland of the Aryans is still debated.
It is also supposedly here that the horse was domesticated, the two-wheeled cart and war chariots were invented, the tactics of chariot combat were mastered, and a metallurgical furnace was invented. Of course, this point of view is not shared by the entire scientific world.
Museum of Nature and Man
The museum building was built in 2004 according to the design of the architect V. Fuksman. The museum's exhibitions tell about the material and spiritual culture of the tribes that inhabited these steppe regions in different eras. Here you can see authentic archaeological finds. The section of the museum dedicated to the Stone Age (Paleolithic, Neolithic) tells about the history of human settlement of the steppes of the Southern Urals. Stone tools are presented - scrapers, choppers, knives.
The exhibition, which tells about the era of early metal, presents finds from the settlement and necropolis of Arkaim, as well as data from excavations of settlements and burial grounds of the post-Starkaim period: ceramic vessels with ornaments, bronze and stone items, jewelry. And after getting acquainted with the section of the exhibition of the early Iron Age and the Middle Ages, you will learn about the history of nomadic peoples. Weapons, altars, details of horse harness and armor are presented here. There are also examples of “animal” style figurines. The 19th – 20th centuries are represented by traditional costumes and household items of the indigenous peoples of the Southern Urals.
Historical park
An open-air museum - a historical park - has been created on the high terrace of the Bolshaya Karaganka River. Here are the designs of funerary and religious buildings from several historical eras of the steppe peoples. Here you will see stone boxes surrounded by fences (family cemeteries), an alley of menhirs - mysterious cult stones, and a reconstruction of a nomad burial. Further away is the medieval Aksai complex - a Turkic memorial sculpture and fence.
Reconstruction of “Kurgan Temir”
Scientists have created an exact copy of the ancestral tomb of the steppe nomads based on materials from excavations of a Sarmatian mound found in 1982 in the Chesmensky district of the Chelyabinsk region. It was dated to the 4th century BC.
The reserve's staff reproduced both the external and internal structure of the burial structure. Noble members of the tribe and their relatives were buried in the mounds.
Experts have reproduced a life-size Chalcolithic village. Data from a study of the Botai settlement in Northern Kazakhstan were used as the basis for the reconstruction. The dwellings are a round semi-dugout.
This part of the museum-reserve is actively used for interactive programs, lectures, and excursions. There are also theatrical performances for tourists here. At master classes you can try to make a Stone Age tool and then work with it.
UPD. On the night of September 1, 2019, two Stone Age dwellings burned down as a result of arson. Their restoration is planned.
Ethnographic Museum "Cossack Estate"
The exhibits and structures of this architectural and ethnographic museum were found in the Southern Urals and transported here. At the heart of the museum is the restored house of the Orenburg Cossacks Dolgopolovs from the village of Varlamovo (late 19th – early 20th centuries). The authentic interior of the early 20th century has been recreated inside. The excursions tell about the traditions of the people of that time.
There is a “tent” windmill nearby. It was built in the village of Paris in 1929, and later transported by the Brozgulevsky brothers to the former Warsaw Stanitsa. It worked properly until the 1960s. In 1999, employees of the museum-reserve noticed it, dismantled it and transported it to their territory. Master classes are held at the Cossack Estate. Those who wish can weave a talisman belt or make a doll.
Camp of the steppe nomad
Consists of four yurts of nomadic peoples (Mongolian and Kazakh). Moreover, here you can not only get acquainted with the life of nomads, but also spend the night in one of the yurts for a fee.
Museum of Ancient Productions
This museum is located on the territory of the Arkaim tourist camp. Several types of furnaces have been recreated here - for firing ceramics, heating, and smelting metal products. They are built life-size based on scientific data. In addition, they are also active. All exhibits of this museum can not only be viewed, but also touched. There are also master classes based on ancient crafts.
Steppes and mountains
In Arkaim, not only museums and tourist sites and reconstructions deserve attention. When visiting these places, you should admire the steppe and climb the mountains (or rather hills) located here.
Particularly popular Mount Shamanka(or Shamanikha). It is believed to be an ancient paleovolcano. From here you can admire sunsets and sunrises. At the top there is a stone spiral consisting of 13 circles. For esotericists, it symbolizes the passage of a chain of incarnations.
There is another mountain nearby - Repentance. There is also a stone spiral at its top.
Popular and Mountain of Love, which is located on the territory of the upper camp beyond the Karaganka River. It is the highest of the Arkaim mountains, with steep slopes. There is a stone spiral here too. A beautiful panorama opens from the top.
