Time Periods
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Time Periods
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Location
About
Sarkel was a significant Khazar fortress constructed in the 9th century CE on the left bank of the Don River, with strategic assistance from Byzantine engineers. The fortress, built using white limestone bricks, functioned as a crucial defensive structure protecting the north-western border of the Khazar state. Notably, it served as a bustling commercial hub, overseeing the Volga-Don portage, a key trade route known as the Khazarian Way. In 965 CE, Sarkel was captured by the Kievan Rus' and renamed Belaya Vezha, marking a shift in its cultural and political landscape. The site, now submerged under the Tsimlyansk Reservoir, was pivotal in the regional dynamics of the Early and Late Post-Classical Periods.
Gallery
Explore photographs of ancient structures, artifacts, and archaeological excavations at Sarkel



Archaeological Features
Explore the unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Defensive Structures
Water Management Features
Transportation and Communication Structures
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's archaeological history
Plan Your Visit
Details
- Country
- Russia
- Source
- Wikipedia
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