Archaeological research in the Penza region

A joint archaeological expedition of the Institute of Archaeology named after A.Kh. Khalikov of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences and the Institute for Regional Development of the Penza region has begun excavations at the Russkoye Truevo settlement in the Sosnovoborsk district of the Penza region. Schoolchildren from Penza, as well as from the villages of Bestyanka and Nikolskoye of the Kuznetsk region, are participating in the expedition.

Russkoyе Truevo ancient settlement is a pre-Mongol Bolgar monument (XI–XIII centuries), located on a high promontory formed by the Sura River and its tributary. The site, covering an area of about 10 hectares, is situated in a forested area and, from the western side, is protected by a system of defensive fortifications: three ramparts and two moats.

In the south-western part of the settlement, a 160-square-meter excavation site has been laid. It is important to note that such large-scale studies are being conducted for the first time at this monument. Already, fragments of gray clay and glazed pottery, iron items, coins of the XVIII–XIX centuries and ceramic wares dating back to the Bolgar pre-Mongol period have been found. The work continues and archaeologists hope to make new interesting discoveries.