The main periods and types of “urbanizati on” in Ancient Rus in VIII—XII centu ry

Abstract

This article deals with the problem of processes of city formation and the formation of urban
networks in the Ancient Rus’ in VIII—XII centuries. The Author makes an attempt to systematize
the main types of urban settlements within a specified period according to the following criteria: the
presence or absence of fortifications, the size of settlements, their main functions, the relationship
with the processes of state formation, the presence or absence of coherent urban networks, planning or
spontaneity of the appearance, relationship with the agricultural community and others. Based on the
characteristics identified, five basic types of urban settlements are described and analyzed— as such
can be considered tribal grads, open trade and craft settlements (protocities), prince pogosts, castles
of a later time, not associated with the pogosts, the ancient city of XI—XII centuries. All mentioned
types, which are small and large systems (networks), succeeded each other throughout the specified
period and engaged in various interactions, forming a unified urban network of Ancient Russia.