THE RUBAS FORTIFICATION OF THE MID-SIXTH CENTURY: STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF THE WESTERN FACADE OF WALL 2

The Rubas fortification is a complex of stone military engineering structures, opened in 2014 the lower reaches river. Rubas, 20 km SW from city Derbent. In terms functional orientation, this archaeological object belongs to series monumental barrier structures erected Caspian Passage (Eastern Caucasus) by Sasanian Iran with financial participation Byzantium 5th–6th centuries, preventing raids nomadic tribes into countries Transcaucasia and Middle East. Typologically chronologically (6th c.), defensive comparable fortifications Derbent.Excavations (2014, 2016-2018, 2020) on territory site revealed 6 separate military-technical structures. connecting link main wall No. 2, oriented meridian direction (NW-SE), for 28 m. Three complex, latitudinal (W-E), were connected 2.Wall 2 structurally distinguished its monumentality. It was built using armored technique massive, well-hewn blocks internal backfilling clastic material, including pebble stones soil. thickness 3.2–3.5 m.A feature structure that facades (eastern western) are combined. On eastern facade, 5 building sections visually distinguished, made different technological methods. An analysis solutions during construction facade showed they due certain tasks, both general specific, which ensured strength as whole.