Khumarinskoye gorodishche (Russian: Хумаринское городище) orKhumar[1] is a ruined medieval fortress on the top of Mount Kalezh above theKuban Gorge in theGreater Caucasus, nearKhumara village,Karachaevsky district,Karachay–Cherkessia,Russia.
The site was investigated in 1960 and 1962 byV.A. Kuznetsov after the slabs with runic inscriptions were found, but without excavations. In 1963 and 1964 archaeological expedition of Karachaevo-Cherkessky research institute, led by E.P. Alekseeva, conducted excavations in the site. She found out that under medieval strata lay those of 8-6 centuries BC. A. Gadlo and Kh. Bidjiev discovered in 1974 remains of defense system - towers, walls.[2]
The fortress, situated 11 km (7 mi) downstream fromKarachaevsk and formerly accessed only by ladder, occupies some forty hectares on top of a large plateau. The 18-foot (5.5 m) high walls, with twelve bastions, were pierced by a single 5-metre-wide gate. The fortifications are supposed to have been constructed either by theKhazars or by theBulgars in connection with theKhazar-Arab Wars.
The site is rich inpseudo-runic inscriptions, an evidence of early medieval Turkic occupation by tribes of theSaltovo-Mayaki cultural group. Most of the inscriptions were heavily damaged by locals and are illegible.[3]
Among the more controversial finds from the site was a folding, modularaltar unearthed in the area. Scholars at the archaeological museum inRostov-on-Don asserted that the altar was part of a Khazar Jewish shrine built in imitation of the Biblicalmishkan.[4]
In the 9th and 10th centuries, it was the site of a populous town, mentioned in Byzantine and Georgian sources asSkhimar (Russian: Схимар). It is believed that St.Maximus the Confessor was held there during his exile to theCaucasus.[citation needed] Within four kilometers from the fortress stands theShoana Church (ca. 925), first described byAbraham Firkovich in 1848.
The town was destroyed byTamerlane during his invasion of theGolden Horde in 1396.
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43°52′4.87″N41°55′26.35″E / 43.8680194°N 41.9239861°E /43.8680194; 41.9239861