The preliminary results of 2015 archaeological exploration in inundation area of Lower Bureya hydro-electric power station (Amur region)

Department of Rescue Archaeology of Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS investigated the Bezumka, Bezumka-foundry and Bukinsky Klyuch 1 sites in inundation area of Lower Bureya HEP at the territory of the Bureya district of the Amur region. The excavation area of the Bezumka site amounted to 243 m 2. The archaeological collection (2100 in number) mainly includes the destroyed vessels and products of stone flaking. The highest concentration of archaeological material is associated with the most elevated part of the wide hill. This artificial complex relates to Early Iron Age (Urilsk and Talakansk cultures) and Early Middle Ages (Mikhailovo and Troitsk groups of Mohe culture). The area 310 m 2, contained 146 artifacts, was uncovered at the Bezumka-foundry during the rescue excavation. Their cultural attribution is Urilsk and Late Mohe cultures of Troitsk group (11-12th centuries). Expedition excavated the Bukinsky Klyuch in area 102 m 2 and studied two house pits of Mikhailovo culture. Collection consists of more than 650 artifacts, mainly fragments of ceramic vessels of Mikhailovo culture. The result of 2015 excavation campaign is the complete study of the area, purposed by government agreement for explorations in inundation area of Lower Bureya HEP, and realization of additional work at the Bukinsky Klyuch 1 site. It permitted to obtain the new data on as planigraphy and stratigraphy of the objects, including their marginal areas, well as archaeological material, which make clear the cultural chronological scale of the Bureya River valley occupation.