The influence of the Caspian Sea level fluctuations and river channels network dynamics in the Volga River delta on the location and development of Khazar settlements of the Semibugorinsky archaeological complex

Matlakhova,  E.Yu.; Makshaev, R.R.; Lobacheva , D.M.; Lysenko , E.I.; Tkach , A.A.; Tkach , N.T.; Koten’kov , S.A.; Soloviev , D.S.

doi:10.31951/2658-3518-2024-A-4-510

The influence of the Caspian Sea level fluctuations and river channels network dynamics in the Volga River delta on the location and development of Khazar settlements of the Semibugorinsky archaeological complex

Authors

Matlakhova E.Yu. ¹
Makshaev R.R. ¹
Lobacheva D.M. ¹
Lysenko E.I. ¹
Tkach A.A. ¹
Tkach N.T. ²
Koten’kov S.A. ³
Soloviev D.S. ⁴

⁴

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31951/2658-3518-2024-A-4-510

Keywords:

Paleogeography of the Volga River delta, fluctuations of the Caspian Sea level, dynamics of the channel network, natural conditions of the Khazar settlements existence

Abstract

The results of the comprehensive studies of the Semibugorinsky archaeological complex in the central part of the Volga River delta make it possible to reconstruct the influence of the fluctuations of the Caspian Sea level and the dynamics of the channel network at the development of Khazar settlements in the 6th-10th centuries. During the period of the Caspian Sea level rise (-24 m abs.), part of the population, presumably, moved to the Baer knolls, which at that time became islands. The Volga River delta was located at the higher levels, which could lead to the resettlement of the part of the population to its northern periphery.