V.S. Flyorov

Institute of Archaeology RAS, Moscow (valerij-flyorov@yandex.ru)

Key words: Lower Don, Khazar Khaganate, fortresses, furnaces, chronology.

The problem of synchronization of existence and destruction of Semikarakorskoye and Tsimlyanskoye Khazar fortresses is being considered. A number of evidences testifies this: full similarity of two-chambered buildings with furnaces in both fortresses; the use of tile of the same type (in Sarkel the tile is another and its quantity is negligibly small): the similarity of the whole picture of the destruction of two fortresses reflected in the burials of deads – children and women. The fortresses were destructed not later than 30–40-s of the 9th c. The date is based on the materials of Pravoberezhnoye fortress. The construction made of burnt bricks appeared

in the Lower Don region for the first time in Semikarakorskoye fortress but not in Sarkel. Thus the excavations of Semikarakorskoye fortress have showed that the brick fortification in the Don region had been initiated not by Petrona Kamatir.