Archaeological data on the problem of formation of inter-community hierarchy in the Kuban river region in I-III cc. ad. (raising the problem)

This article analyzes the results of long-term field surveys undertakenin the Middle Kuban River region. In the first centuries AD, a dense system of sedentaryagricultural settlements was formed here. Around 50 fortified settlements have beendiscovered on the upper terrace of the Kuban River right bank in the strip over 65 km long.In the nearby steppe areas traces of ancient land boundary marking have been recorded,similar to those known in Asiatic Bosporus. Dense distribution of the settlements andagricultural character of the local economy point to a high level of social organizationof the Maeotian tribes. Probably, the inter-settlement hierarchy indicates an abovecommunity organizationsystem. The remote sensing data have revealed withinthe investigated cluster of settlements those of larger size with more complex structure anddeveloped communications, which are interpreted as central places. Monumental ditchesand ramparts surrounding the settlements suggest functioning of developed chiefdomin the Maeotian society able to organize the large-scale works. Thus there are all reasonsto suppose functioning of developed model of political management in the Middle Kubanregion, corresponding to the level of complex chiefdom organization