Geophysical and Remote Studies of the Ulak-1 Fortified Settlement of the Bronze Age in Bashkir Trans-Urals: the Correlation of the Obtained Data with the Results of the Archaeological Excavations

The article presents the results of the archaeological excavations, geophysical and remote studies at the Ulak-1 settlement of the Bronze Age in Bashkir Trans-Urals. System usage of non-destructive methods (the analysis of the orthophotomaps, geodetic work, magnetometer survey) allowed to specify the structure of the settlement and to precisely localize individual elements. Altogether 27 dwelling hollows were identified. The peculiarity of the site is a radial location of the main part of dwelling hollows in the 1–2 rows inside the dyked area of the settlement. Comparison of the results of magnetic survey and archaeological studies demonstrates the high degree of proximity of the acquired data. Remains of four buildings of frame and pillar type were identified inside the excavation area. Constructions located with side walls to each other, the short southeastern wall adjoined to the base of the earthworks. Recorded in the excavation parameters and the localization of the fortification line, as well as the walls between the two complexes (No. 14-15) completely coincide with the magnetic survey data. The ceramic complex from the site characterized by the sufficient representative series of sintashta ceramics. Accompanying cultural groups were represented by vessels of the early and advanced stages of srubnaya culture. The collection of stone artifacts includes grindstones, striking and chopping tools made of coarse-grained rocks. The conducted researches made it possible to obtain objective data on the structure and composition of the cultural layer and reliably relate the settlement of Ulak-1 to the Sintashta-Arkaim circle of sites. Thus, providing the foundation to move the western border of the distribution area of the tradition of the circular settlements construction to the right bank of the Ural River to the foothills and intermountain valleys of the Irendyk ridge in the Bashkir Trans-Ural region