THE EARLY HISTORY OF MOSCOW - C-14 DATES FROM RED SQUARE

For the first time, a series of C-14 dates has been obtained for sampl es from the archaeological excavations in Red Square, the historical c enter of Moscow. The remains of burned dwellings from the bottom of th e cultural layer were dated as well as dispersed charcoal from the und erlying plough soil. The results correspond to a 200-yr time interval and prove that arable activity at the site began as early as the late 11th century AD. The field belonged to Moscow itself or to rural settl ements nearby. The oldest dwelling was built ca. the late 12th-early 1 3th century AD.