Archaeologists have identified a site in the Myrtop cemetery in Chechnya, believed to be the lost medieval city of Magas. The ruins extend over an area of 350 hectares and were the political center and capital of the Alanic Kingdom – an Iranian-speaking Alanic state that controlled the population of the region now known as the North Caucasus.Magas remained one of the greatest archaeological mysteries of Eurasia for many years, until recently when salvage excavations revealed extensive fortifications, structural remains, houses and numerous artefacts dating back to the 6th century. Because Magas was located on major trade routes in the medieval period, many archaeologists and medieval scholars will be excited by the information they can now gather about the politics of the surrounding region before the city was destroyed during the invasions carried out by the Mongol Empire, led by Batu Khan, in 1239.
The medieval city of Magas, covering an area of 350 hectares, has been discovered
According to the archaeologist, excavations at the Myrtop site define the archaeological landscape of the Caucasus, yielding a site of about 350 hectares, much larger than any other known medieval settlement in the region. In addition to determining the boundaries of the site, these excavations by the Russian Academy of Sciences revealed a fortified city consisting of a castle in the center and a large variety of defensive and residential areas around its perimeter.
Scholars have concluded that the size and geographical layout of the Myrtope ruins is consistent with how Arab historians described the Alanian capital Magas (city of coins), where Alanian rulers resided for some time, suggesting that Magas was highly fortified, densely populated, and a place of great political and military power.
Magas as a gateway to Caucasian trade
Magas was the political and administrative center of Alania, an ancient Iranian-speaking nomadic state that eventually became a rich and powerful medieval kingdom.
The strategic location of Magas allowed to organize Transcaucasian trade. Because numerous artifacts — including jewelry and fashion accessories — dating back to the 6th century AD have been recovered from this site, according to Ancient Origins.
The population is thought to have had a very complex social structure, with strong economic ties to both the Byzantine Empire and the Silk Road trade routes.
The Alans were famous for their cavalry, and Magas served as the headquarters for the Alans’ military and diplomatic activities.
Evidence of the Mongol invasion at Mayertop
Evidence from history and archeology suggests that the once thriving city of Magas fell in 1239, after it was invaded by Mongol forces during their expansion. The siege led by Batu Khan lasted for several months before he finally broke through and finally destroyed the city. New Mayrtop excavations reveal several degrees of destruction and local excavations from the 10th to 13th centuries, which stratigraphically correspond to the Mongol invasion in the 13th century.
Furthermore, the site provided a unique physical record of the Alans’ final stand against the Golden Horde.
Geophysical surveys reveal the size of Magas
Geophysical surveys and salvage excavations have been used to map the large area of the site. In addition to uncovering evidence of a significant defensive fortification, the discovery of 6th century AD burial complexes at Mayrtop 7 yields a large amount of vital archaeological data. The results of these excavated burials lead researchers to reconstruct the daily life, diet and health of the inhabitants of Magas.
Finally, carbon dating of organic remains discovered within the defensive walls demonstrates continued habitation of Magas from the Early and Middle Ages to the present.
