Byzantine metrology in fortification architectureof the alans of the Don

Discovery of Saltovo-Mayatsk culture has raised the problem of the sourcesof architectural traditions used in construction of the Mayatsk fortress. Four versionsof their genesis were suggested - Byzantine, Sassanian, Bulgarian, and pre-Bulgarianones. Having studied linear dimensions of 902 blocks from the Mayatsk fortress walls,the author concludes that the construction was headed by the specialists well familiarwith Byzantine metrology and architectural and construction traditions. Metrology andchronology of the fortress relate it with the data from Byzantine sources containing accountsof Byzantine specialists' participation in building a fortress in Sarkel at the instanceof khagan and bey of Khazaria; the construction was headed by Byzantine functionaryPetrona Kamatire. The events were caused by mutual interests of Byzantine and Khazariain the general political situation of the 30-s - 50-s of the 9 th c., and interrelations amongthe Khazarian empire, Byzantium, Alania, Rus, and Arabian caliphate.