Sviyazhsk Archaeological Expedition

Systematic archaeological studies of the island began in 1978-1982. Activities on archaeological surveying of the island were organized by the “Spetsproektrestavratsiya” institute due to the need to investigate the cultural layer and determine its historical value as part of the development of a city planning project, and were conducted by L. A. Belyaev, L. S. Shavokhin and M. F. Frolov with the provision of pits and minor trenches across the entire territory of the island.
The second stage of the study of this archeological monument begins in 2005-2009 when archaeological excavations were started in carious parts of the island. Since 2010, the territory of Sviyazhsk village of the Republic of Tatarstan accommodated a project “Cultural Heritage: the Ancient City of Bolgar and the Island-Town of Sviyazhsk” aimed at the revival of historical and cultural sites located in the territory of the town of Bolgar and the village of Sviyazhsk, which resulted in the conduct of extensive archaeological studies.
In 2010, a total 14 excavations with an area of 8,598 square meters were started in the territory of Sviyazhsk village, and a total area of about 11,600 square meters was investigated. In 2011, a total of 6 excavations with an area of 1,492 square meters were started, and a total of about 3,500 square meters was investigated. In 2012, a total of 4 excavations were started with an area of 1,439 square meters, at the total investigated area was approximately 22,000 square meters. In 2013, activities were carried out at 3 excavations with a total area of 1,578 square meters. Also, work was continued at Tatarskaya Slobodka excavation with an area of 900 square meters. The total studied area in 2013 was over 3,700 square meters. In 2014, a total of 5 excavations were started with an area of 2,704 square meters, and a total of approximately 7,300 square meters was investigated. In 2015, a total of 8 excavations were started with an area of 1203 square meters, and a total of about 4050 square meters was studied. In 2016, a total of 4 excavations were started, with a total area of 666 square meters.
Thus, archaeological studies were conducted within the territory of Sviyazhsk in 2010-2016 with a total excavated area of 17,680 square meters, and the total studied area, including archaeological surveys and supervised activities, amounting to approximately 52,816 square meters.

The most significant achievements are as follows: a study of 16th-20th century necropolises in the territory of Sviyazhsk, excavation of the ruins of Annunciation and St. Nicholas churches, investigations of the topography and material culture of the Middle Ages and the Modern Times, a study the wet cultural layer in the suburban area of Sviyazhsk, and participation in the establishment of an archaeological museum in Sviyazhsk.