Archil S Balakhvantsev
Biographic Data
| ID | 4143450 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Archil S Balakhvantsev |
| GIVEN NAMES | Archil S |
| FAMILY NAME | Balakhvantsev |
| SIGNATURE | BALAKHVANTSEV A S |
| AFFILIATIONS | Institute of Oriental Studies |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3028-0109 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 21 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 1 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 21 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1966 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Hellenistic Toreutics from the Sarmatian Burial Mound near Volzhsky. Part IV
The final section of the article examines issues related to the dating, location, and circumstances of the manufacture of the kantharoi.When analyzing the paleography of the kantharoi inscriptions, one should first note the double use of the square sigma, which is completely uncharacteristic of the epigraphy of the Hellenistic world. The only exception is Greco-Bactria (late 3rd – early 2nd centuries BC). This allows us to conclude that the kanth…
Explorations of the Russian-Karakalpak Expedition at the Burlykala in 2025
On May 3–28, 2025, the Russian-Karakalpak archaeological expedition worked at the Burlykala ancient settlement (Sultanuizdag). During works at excavation 1 (10×6 m), a significant portion of room I was explored. Judging by the ceramics discovered there, life in this room continued from the Ancient Chorasmian period (4th–2nd/1st centuries BC) up to the Afrighid period (4th–6th centuries AD). Enlarging excavation 1 by adding a 10×10 m extension on …
Hellenistic Toreutics from the Sarmatian Burial Mound near Volzhsky. Part III
The final section of the article examines issues related to the depicted subjects, their iconography, inscriptions, and the place and time of the vessels' manufacturing. The sculpted frieze of the Sphairos kantharos depicts a single scene – the conflict between Herakles and King Neleus of Pylos and his sons. The Epicrates kantharos depicts two scenes: the attack on Herakles by the sons of the god Boreas and the moment when Herakles, in place of A…
Explorations of the Russian-Karakalpak Expedition on the Ustyurt Plateau and Sultanuizdag in 2024
The article discusses the progress and results of the Russian-Karakalpak archaeological expedition of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Karakalpak State University. During the first stage, from May 3 to 15, 2024, two unexplored burial mounds of the Gunzheli 1 burial ground (Ustyurt Plateau) were excavated. Mound 22 turned out to be a cenotaph, and mound 24 was robbed. Judging by the design of the burial …
Archaeological Exploration at the Site of Tell Jidr (Karkar) in Iraq
The article is devoted to archaeological exploration conducted by researchers of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences in March 2023 at the site of Tell Jidr in Iraq. According to new research, the city of Tell Jidr, named Karkar in the ancient times, was a multi-layered monument that emerged on the eastern channel of the Euphrates – Iturungal – back in the Ubaid III Period, and then existed throughout the Early Dynastic …
Disputes about Takhti-Sangin
Despite the fact that excavations at the site of Takhti-Sangin began almost a hundred years ago, questions about the date of the founding of the city and foundation of the Oxus temple are still far from being resolved. The article provides arguments indicating that the parameters of the mud brick, column bases, and even the discovered fragments of Yaz III ceramics do not provide grounds to abandon B.A. Litvinsky’s assumption that the founding of …
The New Parthian Inscription from New Nisa
The article publishes a fragment of a ceramic vessel with a Parthian inscription preserved on it, discovered in 2012 at the site of New Nisa (Turkmenistan), approximately 120 m northeast of Tower XIII, and currently kept in a private collection in Russia. A small sherd (maximum dimensions 73×45 mm) 5–8 mm thick is most likely a fragment of a jug covered with white engobe. It is possible that, judging by the color of the engobe and the shard in th…
Excavation of the Western Suburban Complex of Bol’shoy K’irk-K’iz in 2022
During the 2022 excavation season at the Western Suburban Complex (WSC), work on Room III (Blue Hall) has been continued. Two fragments of pottery discovered there date back to the ancient Chorasmian period. At the -210 and -212 cm levels from the benchmark, a flooring consisting of mud brick pavement was discovered (41–42 × 41–42 cm). The most numerous finds in the 2022 season were fragments of painting, made with glue paint on loess plaster, co…
The New Northwest Semitic Inscription
In the following note, the authors again refer to the squeeze of the NorthWest Semitic inscription from the collection of the Russian Archaeological Institute in Constantinople published in 2022. The reading of two problematic places in the inscription is specified, the corrected reading and drawing are published. First of all, a new understanding of the symbols no. 8–10 should be noted. Instead of three letters – ṣade, aleph, pe – we now see onl…
Findings of Seleucid and Ptolemaic coins in Dagestan and the Problem of the Caspian Waterway
In 1964 and 1985 in the south of Dagestan, two treasures were found, which included Hellenistic coins. The first consisted of several dozen Seleucid coins, of which only two bronze coins of Antiochus IV, the so-called “Egyptianizing” series, have survived. The second hoard included bronze Ptolemaic coins of the 6c and 6e series, issued in the first third of the 2nd century BC and related to the same type: Zeus-Ammon / two eagles perched side-by-s…
Achaemenid Decoration with an Eight-Pointed Star from Filippovka 1
The article is devoted to the publication of a piece of jewelry with an eight-pointed star – a symbol of the goddess Inanna / Ishtar. The main decorative elements (an eight-pointed star, a filigree made of braids and smooth wire, an end with pyramids of four grain balls, additional elements of chains in the form of wires ending in pyramids of grain on which beads were strung, and drop-shaped pendants decorated with pyramids of four grains, four-b…
Excavation of the Western Suburban Complex of Bol’shoy K’irk-K’iz in 2021
During excavations in 2021 at the Western Suburban Complex (WSC) of the Bol’shoy K’irk-K’iz, room I and the northern courtyard were investigated. In room II, the later interior extensions in its western and southern parts were dismantled. After it became clear that the width of room II was originally 4 m. At the first stage of functioning, the walls were covered with clay plaster with whitewash. The few pottery fragments that were found in room I…
Bone Sleeve with Aramaic Letters from the Sakar-Chaga 3 Burial Ground and the Problem of Contacts of Central Asian Nomads with the Civilizations of Western Asia
After excavations of the mound Arzhan-2, the main burial of which dates back to the second half of the 7th century BC, the scholars could not help but raise the question of the contacts of its creators with the civilizations of the Near East. In order to determine the main circle of contacts of Arzhan-2 in the Near East, it is necessary to summarize all the facts that may indicate the existence of such ties. The presence of coriander in the buria…
The Boundaries of Caucasian Albania (4th Century BC – 3rd Century AD)
The issue of the borders of Caucasian Albania in the ancient period has long been discussed in the literature, and the inability of researchers from different countries to come to an agreed solution is explained not so much by the state of the sources as by the high degree of politicization of the problem. The only thing that unites the most disagreeing authors with each other is their resolute confidence in the invariability of the borders of Ca…
“Siberian Scythia” in the Works of Western Scholars. Part 1. 1913–1980s
This article gives a general idea of the most significant scientific contacts and discussions between Western and Russian (Soviet) archaeologists about the era of early nomads: the origin of the “animal style”, the balance and interaction between the Scythian cultures of Siberia, Greater Black Sea area, Mongolia and Northern China, the chronology and ways of spreading of these cultures. Whereas Soviet scholars could at least read the works of the…
[Review of
, , . ,
Alexander the Great and Chorasmia
The article discusses E.V. Rtveladze’ idea about two kingdoms in the ancient Chorasmia in the time of Alexander the Great. E.V. Rtveladze after analyzing the reports of Arrian and Curtius Rufus about the Chorasmian embassy to Alexander, came to the conclusion that the sources dealt with two different embassies: the first was headed by Pharasmanes, the king of the western (left bank) Chorasmia, and arrived in Bactria in winter or early spring of 3…
Disputes about Hellenism
The article is devoted to the issues of chronology, geography and the essence of Hellenism. The author of the article, being a supporter of Konstantin K. Zelyin’s concept, criticizes attempts to explain this phenomenon on the basis of the spread of Greek culture or the evolution of socio-political psychology. As a specific feature of this period, it is proposed to consider the combination of the Hellenistic polis and the ancient Eastern monarchy …
Once Again on the Question of the Dating of Inscriptions from Prokhorovka
Once Again on the Question of the Dating of Inscriptions from Prokhorovka Archil S. Balakhvantsev* and Leonid T. Yablonskii** Abstract 1 Th is article is devoted to analysis of two Aramaic inscriptions on silver bowls found during loot- ers’ excavations of Burial-mound I near the village of Prokhorovka in the Southern Urals in 1911. Th e palaeographic and linguistic data obtained during analysis of the inscriptions and also new archaeological mat…
A Silver Bowl from the New Excavations of the Early Sarmatian Burial-Ground Near the Village of Prokhorovka
East Asia in Old Maps
Once Again on the Question of the Dating of Inscriptions from Prokhorovka
Once Again on the Question of the Dating of Inscriptions from Prokhorovka Archil S. Balakhvantsev* and Leonid T. Yablonskii** Abstract 1 Th is article is devoted to analysis of two Aramaic inscriptions on silver bowls found during loot- ers’ excavations of Burial-mound I near the village of Prokhorovka in the Southern Urals in 1911. Th e palaeographic and linguistic data obtained during analysis of the inscriptions and also new archaeological mat…
East Asia in Old Maps
Once Again on the Question of the Dating of Inscriptions from Prokhorovka
Once Again on the Question of the Dating of Inscriptions from Prokhorovka Archil S. Balakhvantsev* and Leonid T. Yablonskii** Abstract 1 Th is article is devoted to analysis of two Aramaic inscriptions on silver bowls found during loot- ers’ excavations of Burial-mound I near the village of Prokhorovka in the Southern Urals in 1911. Th e palaeographic and linguistic data obtained during analysis of the inscriptions and also new archaeological mat…
A Silver Bowl from the New Excavations of the Early Sarmatian Burial-Ground Near the Village of Prokhorovka
“Siberian Scythia” in the Works of Western Scholars. Part 1. 1913–1980s
This article gives a general idea of the most significant scientific contacts and discussions between Western and Russian (Soviet) archaeologists about the era of early nomads: the origin of the “animal style”, the balance and interaction between the Scythian cultures of Siberia, Greater Black Sea area, Mongolia and Northern China, the chronology and ways of spreading of these cultures. Whereas Soviet scholars could at least read the works of the…
[Review of
, , . ,
Alexander the Great and Chorasmia
The article discusses E.V. Rtveladze’ idea about two kingdoms in the ancient Chorasmia in the time of Alexander the Great. E.V. Rtveladze after analyzing the reports of Arrian and Curtius Rufus about the Chorasmian embassy to Alexander, came to the conclusion that the sources dealt with two different embassies: the first was headed by Pharasmanes, the king of the western (left bank) Chorasmia, and arrived in Bactria in winter or early spring of 3…
Disputes about Hellenism
The article is devoted to the issues of chronology, geography and the essence of Hellenism. The author of the article, being a supporter of Konstantin K. Zelyin’s concept, criticizes attempts to explain this phenomenon on the basis of the spread of Greek culture or the evolution of socio-political psychology. As a specific feature of this period, it is proposed to consider the combination of the Hellenistic polis and the ancient Eastern monarchy …
Bone Sleeve with Aramaic Letters from the Sakar-Chaga 3 Burial Ground and the Problem of Contacts of Central Asian Nomads with the Civilizations of Western Asia
After excavations of the mound Arzhan-2, the main burial of which dates back to the second half of the 7th century BC, the scholars could not help but raise the question of the contacts of its creators with the civilizations of the Near East. In order to determine the main circle of contacts of Arzhan-2 in the Near East, it is necessary to summarize all the facts that may indicate the existence of such ties. The presence of coriander in the buria…
The Boundaries of Caucasian Albania (4th Century BC – 3rd Century AD)
The issue of the borders of Caucasian Albania in the ancient period has long been discussed in the literature, and the inability of researchers from different countries to come to an agreed solution is explained not so much by the state of the sources as by the high degree of politicization of the problem. The only thing that unites the most disagreeing authors with each other is their resolute confidence in the invariability of the borders of Ca…
Findings of Seleucid and Ptolemaic coins in Dagestan and the Problem of the Caspian Waterway
In 1964 and 1985 in the south of Dagestan, two treasures were found, which included Hellenistic coins. The first consisted of several dozen Seleucid coins, of which only two bronze coins of Antiochus IV, the so-called “Egyptianizing” series, have survived. The second hoard included bronze Ptolemaic coins of the 6c and 6e series, issued in the first third of the 2nd century BC and related to the same type: Zeus-Ammon / two eagles perched side-by-s…
Achaemenid Decoration with an Eight-Pointed Star from Filippovka 1
The article is devoted to the publication of a piece of jewelry with an eight-pointed star – a symbol of the goddess Inanna / Ishtar. The main decorative elements (an eight-pointed star, a filigree made of braids and smooth wire, an end with pyramids of four grain balls, additional elements of chains in the form of wires ending in pyramids of grain on which beads were strung, and drop-shaped pendants decorated with pyramids of four grains, four-b…
Excavation of the Western Suburban Complex of Bol’shoy K’irk-K’iz in 2021
During excavations in 2021 at the Western Suburban Complex (WSC) of the Bol’shoy K’irk-K’iz, room I and the northern courtyard were investigated. In room II, the later interior extensions in its western and southern parts were dismantled. After it became clear that the width of room II was originally 4 m. At the first stage of functioning, the walls were covered with clay plaster with whitewash. The few pottery fragments that were found in room I…
Excavation of the Western Suburban Complex of Bol’shoy K’irk-K’iz in 2022
During the 2022 excavation season at the Western Suburban Complex (WSC), work on Room III (Blue Hall) has been continued. Two fragments of pottery discovered there date back to the ancient Chorasmian period. At the -210 and -212 cm levels from the benchmark, a flooring consisting of mud brick pavement was discovered (41–42 × 41–42 cm). The most numerous finds in the 2022 season were fragments of painting, made with glue paint on loess plaster, co…
The New Northwest Semitic Inscription
In the following note, the authors again refer to the squeeze of the NorthWest Semitic inscription from the collection of the Russian Archaeological Institute in Constantinople published in 2022. The reading of two problematic places in the inscription is specified, the corrected reading and drawing are published. First of all, a new understanding of the symbols no. 8–10 should be noted. Instead of three letters – ṣade, aleph, pe – we now see onl…
Archaeological Exploration at the Site of Tell Jidr (Karkar) in Iraq
The article is devoted to archaeological exploration conducted by researchers of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences in March 2023 at the site of Tell Jidr in Iraq. According to new research, the city of Tell Jidr, named Karkar in the ancient times, was a multi-layered monument that emerged on the eastern channel of the Euphrates – Iturungal – back in the Ubaid III Period, and then existed throughout the Early Dynastic …
Disputes about Takhti-Sangin
Despite the fact that excavations at the site of Takhti-Sangin began almost a hundred years ago, questions about the date of the founding of the city and foundation of the Oxus temple are still far from being resolved. The article provides arguments indicating that the parameters of the mud brick, column bases, and even the discovered fragments of Yaz III ceramics do not provide grounds to abandon B.A. Litvinsky’s assumption that the founding of …
The New Parthian Inscription from New Nisa
The article publishes a fragment of a ceramic vessel with a Parthian inscription preserved on it, discovered in 2012 at the site of New Nisa (Turkmenistan), approximately 120 m northeast of Tower XIII, and currently kept in a private collection in Russia. A small sherd (maximum dimensions 73×45 mm) 5–8 mm thick is most likely a fragment of a jug covered with white engobe. It is possible that, judging by the color of the engobe and the shard in th…
Hellenistic Toreutics from the Sarmatian Burial Mound near Volzhsky. Part III
The final section of the article examines issues related to the depicted subjects, their iconography, inscriptions, and the place and time of the vessels' manufacturing. The sculpted frieze of the Sphairos kantharos depicts a single scene – the conflict between Herakles and King Neleus of Pylos and his sons. The Epicrates kantharos depicts two scenes: the attack on Herakles by the sons of the god Boreas and the moment when Herakles, in place of A…
Explorations of the Russian-Karakalpak Expedition on the Ustyurt Plateau and Sultanuizdag in 2024
The article discusses the progress and results of the Russian-Karakalpak archaeological expedition of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Karakalpak State University. During the first stage, from May 3 to 15, 2024, two unexplored burial mounds of the Gunzheli 1 burial ground (Ustyurt Plateau) were excavated. Mound 22 turned out to be a cenotaph, and mound 24 was robbed. Judging by the design of the burial …
Hellenistic Toreutics from the Sarmatian Burial Mound near Volzhsky. Part IV
The final section of the article examines issues related to the dating, location, and circumstances of the manufacture of the kantharoi.When analyzing the paleography of the kantharoi inscriptions, one should first note the double use of the square sigma, which is completely uncharacteristic of the epigraphy of the Hellenistic world. The only exception is Greco-Bactria (late 3rd – early 2nd centuries BC). This allows us to conclude that the kanth…
Explorations of the Russian-Karakalpak Expedition at the Burlykala in 2025
On May 3–28, 2025, the Russian-Karakalpak archaeological expedition worked at the Burlykala ancient settlement (Sultanuizdag). During works at excavation 1 (10×6 m), a significant portion of room I was explored. Judging by the ceramics discovered there, life in this room continued from the Ancient Chorasmian period (4th–2nd/1st centuries BC) up to the Afrighid period (4th–6th centuries AD). Enlarging excavation 1 by adding a 10×10 m extension on …
History (17 works) · Archaeology (14 works) · Eurasian Exchange Networks (14 works) · Ancient history (13 works) · Ancient Near East History (8 works) · Geography (8 works) · Art (7 works) · Excavation (6 works) · Geology (5 works) · Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies (4 works)