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Proto-city-type
settlements in the Southern Trans-Urals appear in the Middle
Bronze Age (II millennium BC, the first third). They generally
cease to function in the beginning of the Late Bronze Age.
The area of the spread of such settlements is conventionally
called "Land of cities". Twenty settlements with
the remainders of the Late Bronze fortifications have been
discovered in the "Land of cities" by the autumn
2001. Aerial photos and control surface topography studies
show that three geometrical figures: oval, circle and rectangle
form the basis of the planning decisions of the proto-cities
in the Southern Trans-Urals. Using the leading geometrical
symbols, several characteristics should be taken into account
while classifying the fortified centers: plans of the outside
defence constructions; the presence and planning of the defence
walls inside the settlement; house planning with respect to
the fortification system; presence of the non-fortified lower
part settlement near the proto-city.
Using space photos we can study the paleo ecological situation
in the surroundings of the fortified centers in the Bronze
Age.
Methods of work are based on processing aerial photos that
give a stereoscopic image. Using 3D technologies and latest
equipment enable to get new data on the change of lay out
and architectural principles in the process of historic existence
of proto towns.
Key words: Bronze Age, aerial photos, fortified centers.
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