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The Early History of Moscow: 14C Dates from Red Square

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Alexander L. Alexandrovskiy ,
Johannes Van Der Plicht ,
Nikolay Krenke ,
Olga Chichagova ,
Nikolai Kovaliukh  and
Leopold D. Sulerzhitsky
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Abstract

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For the first time, a series of 14C dates has been obtained for samples from the archaeological excavations in Red Square, the historical center of Moscow. The remains of burned dwellings from the bottom of the cultural layer were dated as well as dispersed charcoal from the underlying plough soil. The results correspond to a 200-yr time interval and prove that arable activity at the site began as early as the late 11th century ad. The field belonged to Moscow itself or to rural settlements nearby. The oldest dwelling was built ca. the late 12th–early 13th century ad.

References

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