“Even shed a single male tear; felt a little bit sad to leave…” Archeological practice for NCSPU first-year students in discovery of new archeological monument

This summer, the archeological practice for NCSPU first –year students was held on the territory of Sukharev archeological complex. This place is located in the Nizhnekamsk district. The researchers had to explore a new archeological site in Tatarstan.

The practice for students is a special time. The first-year students of the Faculty of History took measurements of the site including the settlement. The two excavations have been carried out; the most significant materials for further discovery have been found.

“The students got an invaluable and unforgettable experience on the site that hadn’t been explored before. The work continued at the camp, too: every student was supposed to be on duty, to keep the bonfire going and cook meals. The students were provided with four meals as an archeological camp has strict discipline and order. Besides, the students explored the site on Krasnokadkinskyi archeological complex,” said the organizers.

The members of the archeological club “Antigua” and senior students helped the first-year students.

“The exploration of the Sukharev’s settlement gives one a nice experience; it builds character and physical capabilities. It was rather complicated: I faced some challenges especially during the first days. But later there were lots of pleasant moments, too. At the end of the excavations, I shed a single male tear – I felt sad to leave. I liked the explorations, especially a wonderful landscape which we observed,” claimed Timur Shakirov.

“The major stage of any expedition is preparation. First, you need to settle down closer to the excavations and have a water source nearby for cooking and doing the dishes; and we needed to bathe, too!” noted Ainaz Miftakhov.

“It was a very unusual but at the same time awesome and useful experience. Thanks to this kind of practice we gained the skills necessary in further life. The team came together: everyone helped as much as they could; everyone learnt something new, gained skills, got amazed at the findings like children! We spent a lot of time together and even coined local jokes. Bonfire food, fresh air, life in tents, village shop, pond in hot weather, Tatar music, lots of sunburn lotion, silence in the field – this is what made this practice unforgettable. We got so many emotions which we will hardly forget,” said Elizaveta Ushenina.

The work with the findings will be continued at the university during the sessions in “Antigua”. They will surely make an X-Ray fluorescence analysis of the materials as part of the project “Reconstruction archeology: from analysis to practice” at NCSPU Technopark.