During excavations at the Gamurziev settlement in Ingushetia, structures were discovered that testify to the presence of a developed system of artificial irrigation and water supply among the ancestors of the Ingush in the first millennium BC, Director of the Institute of Archeology of the Caucasus Biyaslan Atabiev told Interfax-Yug.
“During the excavation of the settlement, we first discovered an irrigation system. Today we can say with confidence that, at least in the first millennium BC, a system of artificial irrigation and water supply was developed on this territory,”Atabiyev said.
According to the archaeologist, the area of the settlement is several tens of hectares. The ancestors of the Ingush in their irrigation work used the maximum area occupied by the settlement.
“On the one hand, it was a defensive ditch, which prevented the enemy from entering the territory of the settlement, and at the same time, it was a means of delivering water. On the right side there is a canal, through it water fell, the fence was several kilometers higher in relief. As the water flowed, it filled the clay cisterns. Each inhabitant, having walked literally 15-20 meters, could take water,”explained the director of the Institute of Archeology of the Caucasus.
At the same time, he noted that the climatic conditions then, apparently, were approximately the same as now. That is, there was a lack of moisture necessary to engage in agriculture.
“Therefore, our ancient ancestors were forced to think about creating a melioration and irrigation system 2 thousand years ago,” added B. Atabiev.
According to the researcher, life at the ancient Gamurziev settlement, the existence of which covers the entire first millennium of our era, was terminated after the invasion of the Turkic-Mongolian commander and conqueror Tamerlane.
This is evidenced by the numerous burials that have been discovered by archaeologists.
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A large number of the inhabitants of the settlement were killed and buried right in the pits and dwellings.