Phanagoria During the Late Archaic and Early Classical Periods  (stratigraphy, chronology and periodization. 1)

The Acropolis is located in the central part of the upper plateau of the Phanagoria site, closer to its Northern edge. During the excavations that took place at more than 3000 m.sq., archaeological layers and structural remains of Phanagorean settlements dating to the first century of the city’s existence were unearthed. This considers the site’s history from ca. 540 BCE to 450/40 BCE, when the majority of the buildings were destroyed. During that period the buildings made out of mudbrick located here according to the initial plan were continuously rebuilt according to various plans, also during the events occurring on the verge of the first and the second halves of the V century BCE, when the whole studied area was destroyed during a fire caused by military actions. The following article is dedicated to a detailed stratigraphic analysis based on the finds from the NorthWestern part of the dig. It is that particular part of the dig, where the rock is lower than in other parts, where we could find a pattern of architectural buildings following each other, concised in the pattern of the same building arrangement. A chronology of erection and the building dynamic was established, leading toa discovery of a pattern that formed the core of the city’s center. We can now establish four different building periods. The first (540525 BCE) and the second (525480 BCE) ones can be distinguished by a range of objects (pits and construction preparations), which can be distinguished stratigraphically. The distinguishing matter considering the second and the third periods are signified by artifacts buried deep in the earth (rectangular pits, underground spaces constructed with mudbrick), appearing closer to the middle of the V century BCE. These temporary constructions were made in 480470 BCE. The building erected during a rather short period (between 480/70 and 450/40 BCE) are related to the two major building periods (III and IV). According to the finds from a basement that waz destroyed during a fire that occurred at the time of the third period temple, there are some events that occurred in the 460/50 BCE. Even though it isn’t possible to find any other traces of said fire in other parts of the site, a significant reconstruction of the site’s temple (835 743 BCE), as well as the house located close by (836677 BCE), allows for an assumption that the destruction of said buildings were not unique