Defensive Complex of “The Eastern Wicket” – The Side Gate of the Medieval City on the Eski-Kermen Plateau

Introduction. The side gate of the “Eastern Wicket” is an important element in the defense of the Early Byzantine fortress on the Eski-Kermen plateau and in the daily life of the town. Nevertheless, this complex is barely studied – archaeological research was carried out only in 1937, and the materials of those works are not published yet. In this article we have made a graphic fixation of this section of the “Eastern Wicket” defense using modern methods and made measurements of military and economic objects and attempted to interpret them. Methods and materials. The methods of laser scanning, digital mapping, and comparative analysis were used to solve the set tasks. Analysis. In the course of the study the complex was divided into four objects: Curtain Wall IV, “side gate,” a platform with “enfilade,” and a staircase on the east slope. We studied the bedding of the fortress wall, which opens up possibilities for its reconstruction, and found traces of late construction works, including the construction of cave household premises and a previously unknown temple. Results. A new interpretation was given to most of the complexes based on the results of laser scanning. We stated the fact that there were no defenses at the side gate area at the last stage of the city’s history.