Preliminary results of historical and archaeological research of the Spassky cathedral in the city of Kuibyshev in 2019

In the autumn of 2019, the Department of Rescue Archaeological Works of IAE SB RAS initiated research into the object of architectural heritage “Cultural Layer of the Spassky Cathedral” in the city of Kuibyshev (formerly Kainsk). The necessity of excavations was caused by the reconstruction project of Spassky Cathedral located in the Kuibyshev public garden. This archaeological project consists of two stages: October 2019 and May 2020. The first stage involved 600 m2 of excavation works, where over 200 burials were studied. The issue of preserving old church foundation is currently being discussed. This will make it possible to preserve the historical part of the church which can be used both as religious building and museum of the city history. This article describes the preliminary results of studying the archaeological site in 2019. The milestones in the history of the city of Kuibyshev inseparably linked with the Spassky Cathedral are briefly presented. Two chronological stages in the emergence of the cultural layer, associated with the construction of the church and the first Kainsk churchyard have been identified. The first stage of 1722-1787 was the period of the Kainsk trading post with the first wooden church and cemetery. The second stage of 1787-193 7 was the period of construction, functioning, and destruction of the Spassky Cathedral. The article describes specific features of the funeral rite, grave structures and inventory as well as construction stages and structural elements of the Cathedral.