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STUDYING THE STATE OF VOLGA-BULGARIAN FORTIFIED SETTLEMENTS UNDER AGRICULTURAL IMPACT WITH THE USE OF MULTI-TIME AERIAL AND SPACE IMAGERY

Айрат Маратович Губайдуллин

Abstract

This article discusses the modern condition of the archaeological monuments of the Predvolzhye of the Republic of Tatarstan. Fortified settlements as a manmade part of the cultural landscape, with the system of defensive fortifications, were selected as the objects of study, as they are easily identified by remote sensing data. In our view, the analysis of medieval Volga Bulgars (X-XIII centuries A.D.), the most common in the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan, has the highest priority. The main research method was monitoring of archaeological objects state with multitemporal aerial and satellite imagery as a mandatory part of modern archaeological research. One of the main factors that increases the importance of historical remote sensing data in anthropogenic influence context is widespread process of plowing and deforestation for these purposes, that starts at the middle of the XX century. Intensive territory development led to a significant change in exterior of monuments and often ? to their complete disappearance. Application of archival and modern remote sensing data analysis allowed identifying trends in the monuments state and quantifying the risks of their destruction as well correction of the form of study settlements in comparison with existing plans, their size and location in the landscape.

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