Employees of the Dzhirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve held a Saturday in the adjacent territory of the architectural complex "Shoan", located 3 km from Olgati, on both sides of the road leading to Tsei Loam.

The photos clearly illustrate how much garbage is left behind by our compatriots traveling to the mountainous terrain!!!

Apparently, some vacationers leave behind garbage as a token of gratitude to nature for hospitality, for the cleanest mountain air, for unique monuments of antiquity? Unfortunately, few people think about their responsibility to nature, about the fact that garbage does not decompose, does not evaporate and does not collect itself. Leaving behind garbage, we pollute our house, causing irreparable damage to the environment. Firstly, it is unethical and ugly, secondly, in the process of decomposition, all chemistry gets into the soil and natural springs, thirdly, in search of food, animals go to these landfills, which, together with food, absorb cellophane and other indigestible objects, which leads to their death, fourth, next time, gathering in nature, we can simply not find a clean place.

Despite the fact that cleaning is not their direct responsibility, employees of the museum-reserve spend weekly Saturdays in the mountainous area, collecting mountains of garbage. Thus, we try, firstly, to draw attention to this problem, secondly, we make a weak attempt to set a good example for others, and, most importantly, love for our homeland, a sense of duty and patriotism does not allow us to remain indifferent.

Employees, armed with protective equipment and garbage bags, collected all the garbage from the complex and took it to a specially designated place, giving the territory its original appearance.

Summarizing the above, we urge all vacationers to take care of the environment. Take care of nature and it will reciprocate you.

On September 18, 2024, the acting director of the museum-reserve Sampiev A.A., together with the staff, made an inspection trip to the Tsori tower complex as part of the work plan.

Medieval complex "Tsori" - one of the largest tower complexes - is located in the eastern part of the Dzheyrakh district of the Republic of Ingushetia, on the border with Chechnya and Georgia, on a high mountain ledge. Its more accurate location is the Guloikhi Gorge. There is a tower complex at an altitude of 1,170 m.

At the moment, there are three battle towers, more than three dozen residential, 12 crypt burial grounds, early Muslim land burials, an early Muslim mosque built, according to studies, on the remains of a destroyed residential tower, an ancient mausoleum, and traces of two river mills were found. If you look closely, on the walls of the towers you can see interesting ornaments created from stones of different colors. There is a lot of evidence that artisans and architects who lived in the fortress were famous for their art throughout Ingushetia.

The battle towers of the castle ensemble are quite high, although not completely preserved. You can still see window openings, loopholes, arched ceilings and nothing like salt symbols, telling about the traditions of ancient Ingush. In general, despite the huge age of the buildings, many ornaments and decorative fragments have been preserved on the buildings.

The roof of the battle tower is flat with teeth at the corners, topped with conical stones. In Tsori, the towers and sakli of almost all the villages adjoin each other, piling up with tiers and forming one solid, strongly fortified castle.

Crypts are scattered near the village in several places. They are made of uncooked stones, on lime, have a yellow lining and in each tier of lazes - often rectangular, less often with a semicircular vault. More than half of them remained at full height. And the crypt that collapsed in 2022 was restored last autumn.

Employees of the institution on the spot collected field material, examined the safety of monuments, made photofixation.

On all objects of cultural heritage of the complex will be drawn up acts of technical condition and sent to higher organizations.

S. Egikal, Dzheyrakh district, photo by V. Perfilev, 1980.

As part of the work plan, together with the head of the project organization ASM GROUP Mikhailov, A.G. visited the “city of the dead” in Egikal, which consists of crypt tombs (1 imarash).

The city of the dead is located on the outskirts of the Egikal complex, in the western part, the state is ruined. The best preservation is observed in underground buildings.

The tombs are very diverse. There are multi-storey buildings with several burial chambers, with corridors, stone boxes and hiding places. Some tower-shaped crypts have decorative ornaments made by sampling from the walls of small stones.

According to the arrowheads and gold Horde coins found in the crypts, archaeologists attributed part of the tombs to the XIII-XV centuries. The other part of the tombs are the Middle and Late Bronze Ages.

The City of the Dead is part of the Dzhirakh-Assin State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve and is an object of cultural heritage protected by the state.

As a result of the trip, visual inspection and photofixation of objects were made, their technical condition was assessed. At the next stage of the work, decisions will be made on their preservation.

Today, the staff of the Jeirakh-Assin Museum-Reserve took part in the round table “Features of the evolution of the Ingush national community in Turkey”, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Ingush statehood, where representatives of the Ingush diaspora - muhajirs who moved to the Ottoman Empire after the end of the Caucasian War in 1858-1865 , as a result of an agreement between Russia and Turkey, were present.

Mukhadzhirstvo was a consequence of the colonial policy of the Russian Empire in the North Caucasus. Of those who left Russia, some settled in Turkey. Another group settled in the Golan Heights (Syria), the third moved to Jordan, and the fourth settled in Iraq. Thus, diasporas of North Caucasian peoples appeared in the Middle East and Turkey. The Ingush, who emigrated to Turkey in various periods and represent the current Ingush diaspora, went through a long process of integration into Turkish society. They are full citizens and are involved in the cultural and political life of the Turkish state. Absolutely everyone speaks Turkish. At the same time, the spiritual and cultural connection with Ingushetia has not been lost, and their presence at this event is direct proof of this.

At the meeting, a leading researcher of the Ingush literature department of the Ingush State University “IngNII”, Candidate of Philological Sciences - Yalharoeva Marem Akhmetovna, made a report “Ethnic mentality of the Ingush diaspora in Turkey”, and also heard speeches by representatives of the Ingush diaspora in Turkey - Yashar Dural / Tsechoev, Mehmet Yakan / Daurbekov, Bekir Ozdemir / Gagiyev, Selman Beshta / Akhriev, Muratakhar and Dr.

Those who arrived mainly spoke in Turkish and used the services of an interpreter to communicate with the hall, the more surprising it turned out to be for those present the speech of the most senior representative of the Ingush diaspora, 84-year-old Yashar Dural-Tsechoev, who was fluent in the Ingush language.

At the end of the event, visitors were presented with souvenirs by representatives of the Easting Association and made a photo to remember.

As part of the planned work, Sampiyev A.A. visited the easternmost small tower complex of the Dzheyrakh district on the right slope of the Guloi-hi River, under the mountains of Harsakort and Orgunkort, located on the border zone and in the past, occupied an important strategic position.

The hum included a battle and eight residential towers with various annexes, which, through a stone defensive wall, were combined into a single powerful castle complex of the late Middle Ages. Currently, most of the buildings of the village are destroyed, preserved at the foundation level.

On the eastern outskirts of the village of Gul, on a mountain slope, stood six land-based collective crypt tombs of the late Middle Ages. Four of them are tower-shaped, three-storey, with a square base and a pyramidal-step coating, and the rest are rectangular, two-storey, with a gable-step (shale) roof.

On the northeastern outskirts of the village of Gul, on a forest glade, there is already a semi-ruined late medieval sanctuary in the form of a low stone pillar without a preserved roof. The building has an almost square base and a small square niche in the center of the facade east wall. Upstairs, the walls narrow markedly. The total height of the preserved part of the monument (from the facade to the east) is 1.15 m. It is built carefully, on a lime mortar. The laying of the walls is approaching ordinal. The walls and niche are covered with a thick layer of plaster of light yellow color.

Included in the list of identified objects of cultural heritage of the republic, subject to state protection. It is located within the boundaries of the Jeirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve.

As a result of the monitoring, field material was collected, measurements and photofixation were made. These data will be used in the preparation of acts of technical condition of objects, which, in turn, are used to assess its suitability and determine the need to take measures to preserve it.

Tower manor "Tovkhanti" is located opposite the Melleri complex, on the western slope of the mountain. It consists of 1 two-storey residential tower "Zovr-g1ala", on the east side of which there is a courtyard and one core-shaped mausoleum.

The height of the tower is about 5 meters, the roof is absent, the width of the southern wall is 6 m, the eastern one is 8.5 m. The entrance to the tower is located on the east side and has vaulted doors on both floors. Vaults of solid stones are relatively well preserved.

The south wall on the second floor has 1 large window and 2 small loopholes. The eastern wall has 2 arched doors, 1 window, 2 loopholes, one of which is directed to the entrance of the first floor.

The tower has well-preserved structural details: window openings, niches, loopholes, which are available on all walls of the object.

Of particular importance for the history of the republic, in our opinion, is the core-shaped mausoleum, erected in the late 18th century and located 15 meters south of the tower, it has been preserved to its full height (about 3 meters).

I want to give one interesting story, which is recorded for the first time from the words of local residents. It says that the estate appeared later than the Muller Tower, it is also known that the inhabitant of the tower left this place.

Further, in this legend it is told that the owner of this estate, after the construction of the tower and the mausoleum, gathered people of nearby villages and demonstrated the work of the master. And there was something to see: the tower was very beautiful, with many loopholes, windows, niches, as well as vaulted doorways and other structural elements.

Also, the resident of the tower boasted that on his lands he harvests two crops per year. Among the guests was a blind old man from the village of Meller, who did not like the successes of his neighbor and in order to survive from these places, he advised him to cultivate the land with melted oil, so that they would bring him three crops per year.

The owner of the estate, being a very hardworking and simple-minded person, heeded his advice and worked his land with oil. As a result, the land ceased to yield crops and, having lost it, the inhabitant of the tower was forced to leave these places, since previously the only source of food was only land. And since then, no one has moved in.

It is located within the boundaries of the Jeirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve.

Interesting compositions of the temple "Thaba-Yerda".

Photos taken before the restoration ( 1969-1971 ) of the monument.

Last weekend, as part of official events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Ingushetia, the annual traditional "Jeirakh Marathon", which is the most complex asphalt marathon in Russia, was held.

In 2024, the event was attended by athletes from 70 cities of 34 subjects of the Russian Federation, including athletes from Ingushetia. The event was held at the Republican resort LOC “Armkhi”.

Distances overcame by athletes: 4, 8, 21 (classic half marathon), and 42 km (marathon according to the rules of OI).

The final report of the VI Jairah Marathon results can be found here: https://t.me/djeirahmarathon/119.

It is worth noting that the participants from Ingushetia distinguished themselves at all distances, taking high positions in the final protocol.

In particular, 1st place at a distance of 4 kilometers was taken by Nakastoev Magomed, and at a distance of 21 kilometers 2nd place was taken by Mikhail Limaev.

During the general program of the event, a race to the Lyazhginsky Falls and a children's race for 500 meters were also held.

"Jeirah Marathon" was held with the active support of the Administration of the Dzheyrakh district and personally the Head of the district, the Committee for Tourism of the Republic of Ingushetia and personally the Head of the Committee, the Management of the National Resort "Armhi", the Committee for State Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites, employees of the Dzheyrakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve and personally the Director, operator of the National System "Territory", and other organizations.

Special thanks for the comprehensive assistance in the preparation and holding of the event, the organizers express to all medical services of the Jeirakh district and the Republic, the rescue squad of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as ordinary citizens who came to support the event, provided assistance on the route and food points.

The 7th Dzheirakh is already planned, which can be held in the format of an all-Russian festival.

The organizers of the “Jeirah Marathon” are ANO “United Territories of the Caucasus”.

Today, as part of the implementation of the project of the Federal Agency for Nationalities: "Audiovisual Ethno-Encyclopedia", a documentary film was shot in the mountains of Ingushetia, where employees of the museum-reserve also took direct part.

It is pleasant to realize that the interest in mountain Ingushetia from researchers not only does not fade, but on the contrary increases day by day: it has long attracted the attention of not only tourists, but also scientists who are trying to open unknown pages of history.

So, recently, in the framework of the study of medieval stone crosses, cruciform and anthropomorphic steles in the North Caucasus, independent researchers from St. Petersburg Alexander Potravnov and Tatiana Khmelnik, having previously agreed on their visit, together with the staff of the State Historical-Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve of Djeirakh-Assinsk, inspected a number of monumental objects in the mountains of Ingushetia.

The researchers visited the tower complexes "Myashkhi", "Keli", the temple "Thaba-Yerda", where these objects are preserved, and which are within the scope of their scientific interests.

Scientists inspected and photographed the most accessible monuments of the past – stone crosses, cruciform and anthropomorphic steles.

At the same time, in the course of work, in the area of the tower village "Keli", on the slope, next to the crypt, a medieval stone cross was discovered, considered previously lost.

Farewelling, researchers from St. Petersburg thanked the employee of the museum-reserve for hospitality and assistance and expressed hope for continued cooperation.

SPOILER: in the future, these objects will be included in the consolidated catalog of stone crosses of the Russian Federation with a mark of places of detection on the map, which will allow a more accurate and reasoned study of the tradition of creating and distributing stone crosses not only in Ingushetia, but also in other regions of the Caucasus.

That's how it was.

Restoration of the temple "Thaba-Yerda" in 1969-1971 by the project of the Georgian architect L.A. Khimshiashvili.

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In Tumgi completed the restoration of 8 objects of cultural heritage. Earlier, in the course of comprehensive scientific research, the specialists of ASMGROUP revealed the construction of stone bases of residential towers, as well as three ancient crypts with anthropological artifacts.

Work on the restoration of historical monuments continues, they will affect 34 objects of the complex.

Employees of the museum-reserve, as part of the protection and preservation of cultural heritage sites, made an expedition to the tower estate "Tovkhanti", located west of Melleri.

The estate consists of 1 residential bunk residential tower and one, rare for the edge, core-shaped mausoleum.

The purpose of the tour was to clear the perimeter of the mausoleum from the sprawling spontaneous growth, which posed a potential threat to the integrity of the historical object.

The guys, armed with saws and axes, cut down shrubs and unwanted vegetation, saving the monument from damage and increasing its attractiveness for visitors. After all, wild plants could not only damage the monument, but also hide it from the eyes of tourists.

The mausoleum is well preserved for its time and it is very important to keep it in this condition for as long as possible.

It is located within the boundaries of the Jeirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve.

Today, October 3, in the Ingush State Museum of Local History named after Tugan Malsagov, representatives of the Institute of Archaeology of the Caucasus brought a second batch of artifacts - more than 800 archaeological objects discovered during the reconstruction of the federal highway "Caucasus" in the Gamurzievsky administrative district in 2018, and which were still stored in them.

The museum was given archaeological excavations of ancient times in the form of household items, ceramics, tools, jewelry, etc., representing the North Caucasian culture, as well as artifacts related to the Koban culture and the Alan era.

The event was attended by heads and employees of competent organizations, researcher-archivist Bersnako Gazikov, archaeologist Umalat Gadiev, historian-localist Ruslan Kurkiev and others.

Recall that in 2018, during the excavations, more than 4,000 antiquities of great scientific interest were discovered, the first batch of which, in the amount of 200 items, was transferred at the end of August of this year, and work on the return of the remaining part continues, thanks to the mutual agreement of the parties on the return of all finds to their historical homeland.

Employees of the museum-reserve made an inspection trip to the observation tower of Zem-g1al.

Watchtower "Zem-g1ala", located in the gorge of Guloi-khi, 500 m south-west of the tower complex "Vovnushki", a ruined state, previously was a two-storey with an economic annex. According to local residents, it had observation functions.

The name Earth-g1al means literally "observational". From the word “earth (b), attention, observation.”

This tower, apparently, was one of the links of a powerful signal and defensive system of ancient Ingushetia.

Last weekend, a Saturday was held in the central mosque of Magas "Heart of the Caucasus" under construction, where employees of the Dzhirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve also took part.

Employees of the Dzheyrah-Assinsky Museum-Reserve carried out planned work on accounting and fixation of previously unrecorded objects of cultural heritage.

This time the trip was made to the rarely visited tower complex in the eastern part of the Guloikhi Gorge - "Besht", where the ruins of four residential towers are preserved.

The described monument - a pillar-shaped sanctuary or, as it is popularly called, sieling - is located 300 meters west of the complex. Its height is 2.50 m, length is 1.10 m, width is 0.65 m. Below, on the facade of the object there is a lancet beggar with a height of 0.8 m.

In his studies, the Ingush historian and archaeologist M.B. Muzhukhoev believed that pillar-shaped sanctuaries complete the evolution of local religious monuments. And some scientists, on the contrary, believe that pillar-shaped structures are the primary form of religious buildings.

M.B. Musukhoev also claims that the construction of sielings was performed in memory of deceased ancestors. These monuments served as a symbol of veneration and respect for ancestors, and were believed to provide invisible protection to their descendants.

Ethnographic descriptions acquaint us with monolithic "pillars" - sanctuaries known as "Sielings", indicating their mythological connection with the cult of "the sun god" and lightning "Selya". A typical example of the sanctuary-monument is the sielings near the village of Erzi, Egikal, Targim, Niy, Vovnushki, Ozdeche, etc. in Ingushetia.

Researcher F.M. Kostoeva believes that in ancient times, the term "seeling" was used to refer to a high quadrangular stone column facing south, with a flat or gable top and a small niche at the base. The sielings were collected from raw stone before human growth and fixed to a lime or clay solution ("markhal"). Such stone structures were erected at crossroads, at towers or crypts.

As for this structure, we did not find its description in any written source. Employees carried out measurements of the object, photofixation. The monument will be included in the list of identified objects of cultural heritage of the republic, as well as put into scientific circulation, and it will be of interest to all who are interested in the history of Ingushetia.

Archival photographs of the tower complexes "Doshkhakle" and "Khart".

In Doshkhakl in the foreground is a battle tower, the roof of which, according to written sources, was damaged by lightning in 1958.

On the southern slope of Table Mountain, the staff of the Dzheyrakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve, as part of the work plan to identify and account for previously unrecorded architectural monuments, and the partners of the institution, as part of the implementation of the National Object Management and Safety System "Territory" on the territory of the museum-reserve, continue joint research of cave-type structures.

As a result of the work, the locations of several more buildings were determined, measurements of the front and interior parts of the premises, window and door openings were made, all structural elements of the premises and their features were noted, photo fixation was made.

Notes from fieldwork.

Building 7 is represented by a solid masonry covering the cave. On the side wall there are 3 small window openings square shaped, which were used to observe and illuminate the interior of the room. On the front wall there is an entrance and a large window - at a height of 2.5 m from the ground - , openings.

From the presence of holes for floors in the inner part of the building, we can conclude that the buildings were three-tiered.

The building number 8 was erected at a height of 3 meters on a site of rock of natural origin, from the front part a pavement with masonry to floor level was made. At the top of the eastern wall there is a small square-shaped window. There are steps outside the entrance.

In the inner corners of the cave there are signs of seasonal water sources.

In the ninth structure, the characteristic features of the rock structure are traced, there are traces of processing of rock. The laying has not survived. The width of the inner part is 4.4 m, height is 5 meters, depth is 4.7 m.

It is no accident that our ancestors gave this mountain a sacred meaning - it harbors many mysteries.

Rock buildings located on the slopes of the mountain are one of the manifestations of the mystery.

We gave some details of the next studies, at the moment the work on 9 rock structures has been completed, previously 6 buildings were noted, all of them will be put on the state register.

The medieval tower complex of the castle type "Harpe" in the 70s and now.

It is located on the spur of Mount Mat Loam in the Jeirakh gorge of Ingushetia.

By the way, the project of restoration of the complex from "ASM Group" became a nominee of the VII International competition in the field of architecture "Golden Trezzini 2024" in the nomination "Best implemented restoration project".

These days, the staff of the museum-reserve carried out planned work on fixing and accounting of early unaccounted cyclopean buildings located 300-350 m north-east of the tower complex "Sredny Ozik".

Most buildings have adjacent walls and do not have binder material. The objects are in a ruined state.

Cyclopic buildings belong to the era before our era. In total, 27 buildings and 3 barrier walls were identified on this site.

All of them will be included in the list of identified objects of cultural heritage of the republic.

On October 16, employees of the museum-reserve made an inspection trip to the Shuang “City of the Dead”, located 1.0 km west of the Shoan tower complex, in the area of Mohde.

The scale of the “Shuang City of the Dead” (Mohde) is impressive – it is the largest necropolis in the region and the region, consisting of more than 200 underground and semi-underground collective crypt tombs with remains of the late Middle Ages.

They are distinguished by significant design features and diversity: completely immersed in the mountain soil and visible from the outside on low stone pillars and mounds; with a clear bulge formed by a vault and a low facade wall with a manhole; with an underground chamber, with a gable-step roof, half out of the ground.

In terms of crypts rectangular, and burial chambers - often, with stone or wooden shelves, small niches, stone boxes, sometimes arranged in the side walls, caches and other original structural details.

Some tombs are multi-chambered and multi-tiered. In a number of tombs, the back wall is formed by a protrusion of a rock or an aligned mountain slope, and there are special stone beds for the dead. The roof of buildings is more often gabled, less often flat.

This unique crypt necropolis has been studied stationarily since the end of the XIX century by V. F. Miller, V. I. Dolbezhev, L. P. Semenov, E. I. Krupnov, M. H. Kataev, M. V. Muzhukhoev, D. Y. Chakhkiev, E. I. Narozhny, R. A. Dautova, X. M. Mamayev and other researchers, whose scientific works give general and detailed characteristics to many local tombs, which were used in the funeral rite, found here on numerous gold coins and timbers. The results of the latest scientific research allow us to attribute this burial ground as a whole to the second half of the XIII-XV centuries.

Of these, 77 burial grounds are registered with the state, further work on their inclusion in the list of identified objects of cultural heritage, and then, after the historical and cultural expertise, in the unified state register of the OKN of the Russian Federation will be continued.

Employees of the Jeirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve, during the monitoring of the Muhul tower complex, photographed petroglyphs located on the residential tower of the complex. Muhul is a tower complex northwest of Gwezi.

Petroglyphs on stones are found throughout mountain Ingushetia - these are one of the important religious components. In addition to single images of humans and animals, there are often fantastic and symbolic images, geometric and other abstract figures. Some of them resemble solar signs, while others are graphic signs resembling writing. Often you can see carved on stone slabs images of a human hand.

There are petroglyphs made in point technology. Among the plots of the petroglyphs of Ingushetia, genre ones are distinguished, depicting scenes of hunting, creation of the world, etc. The architectural structures on which they are depicted date back to the 14th and 18th centuries, but it is quite obvious that the stones with petroglyphs in the masonry of these towers are reused. This is evidenced by the location of stones with petroglyphs in the masonry, which differ from the color of the stones of the main masonry. The greatest number of petroglyphs is found on the facades of residential towers, less often on religious buildings and battle towers. Sometimes there are petroglyphs on the stelae.

Ingush poet A.T. Khashagulgov, who devoted many years to collecting ethnographic material, interviewed many old people, collecting outdated words and folklore motifs, in his poem notes that the meaning of the symbols on the stones is irretrievably lost:

Dysad Ma'an t'yapa deshash,

Kustash a kherash t'a deca

Hanz Ukhaz Yukhaza Dyhka,

Latt vai king hyarkas deshas

(Dzaurova T. A.-Kh. “Ingush National Ornament”)

Researcher A.S. Dozariev in his scientific publication “On some monuments of decorative and graphic art of the Ingush” writes:

As studies show, it is impossible to say with accuracy for what purpose these or other petroglyphs were applied, although the cult-magical context here seems to us certain. At the same time, it is safe to say that the decorative and graphic art of the Ingush has its roots in ancient times. Thus, in a detailed study of this cultural phenomenon, it is impossible not to notice, for example, the similarity of Ingush solar signs with images on objects of Koban culture of the Caucasus, found immediately in Ingushetia (Meadow burial ground, I thousand BC). Known parallels are also found in the culture of the ancient Sumerians, Iranians, Celts, etc.”

The material was prepared in order to protect, preserve and popularize objects of cultural heritage of the republic.

The core-shaped mausoleum of Tangi-Kash (Tangi Tomb), a pillar-shaped sanctuary and an elevated two-tiered crypt with a gable stepped roof earlier and in the present time.

They are located on the western outskirts of the village of Egikal, on a huge rock boulder.

The mausoleum of the 18th century, called Tangi-Kash, in honor of the local warrior-rider named Tangi, the ancestor of the Ingush family Tangiev, who heroically fell in battle. There were two such core-shaped mausoleums in Aegikal; the second was destroyed to the ground. A pillar-shaped sanctuary next to the mausoleum is also erected in his honor.

Employees of the Dzheyrah-Assinsky Museum-Reserve together with specialists of the project organization ASM GROUP made an inspection trip to the tower complex "Niykoate", where planned work is carried out to identify, fix and record all objects of cultural heritage.

The medieval tower settlement "Niykoate" is located in the Dzheyrakh district, east of "Niy" and north of "Tzizda", administratively included in the rural settlement "Guli". On the territory of the city-settlement there are many historical objects, these are residential towers, mausoleums, early Muslim cemetery, landscaped natural spring, ruins of stone buildings, etc., which, unfortunately, for objective reasons, not all are on the state record. And today, as we see, a lot of work is being done to fill them. The condition of all facilities is emergency.

As you know, the inventory of the OKN is one of the necessary components of a comprehensive study of monuments, it is carried out in order to preserve and popularize objects of cultural heritage, as well as to ensure their integrity. This year, similar work was carried out on 30 tower complexes of mountain Ingushetia.

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Today, on October 22, 2024, in the Ingush Research Institute of Humanities named after C. E. Akhriev, a meeting of employees of the IngNII GBU with the director of the Dzheyrakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve - Sampiyev Ahmedkhan Alikhanovich was held.

The meeting was attended by: Director of GBU "IngNII" - Ozdoev Dzhambulat Edalgireevich; Deputy Director for Research - Dzarakhova Zeynep Magomet-Tagirovna; Deputy Director for General Affairs - Dolakov Anzor Kureyshevich; Academic secretary - Agieva Lemka Tuganovna; editor - Khairova Khadijat Rezvanovna.

The meeting discussed the organization of exhibitions at the Interregional Scientific and Practical Conference “National-State Entities and Republics in Russia: From History to Modernity”, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Ingushetia.

It is planned to organize and hold an exhibition of the art gallery of the artist S. A. Gadaborshev, a photo exhibition of T. Agirov “Medievary architecture of mountain Ingushetia”, an exhibition of carpets “The felt chronicle of the Ingushes”, and a tour of mountain Ingushetia will be organized for the conference participants.

Anthropomorphic steles in mountain Ingushetia are located in the tower complexes "Barakh", "Keli", "Myashkhi". This is a very rare type of monuments for mountain Ingushetia, perhaps they had a religious, sacred meaning.

Employees of the museum-reserve made a tour of the tower complex "Ancoate".

Ancoate is a medieval tower settlement east of Niicoate. Today it is possible to observe two three-tiered residential towers with various structural details, in particular, in one of the towers at the level of the second floor, the remains of a stone fireplace have been preserved.

Not far from the village, in the Muslim cemetery is an interesting stele with petroglyphs.

It is located within the boundaries of the Jeirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve. Included in the list of identified objects of cultural heritage of the republic, subject to state protection.

Based on the results of the field work, acts of the technical condition of the complex will be drawn up and sent to higher organizations.

Acting Director of the Dzheyraskh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve Sampiev A.A., within the framework of the work plan, an inspection trip was made to the tower complexes Dujargisht and Hjarpe.

Dujargisht tower complex is located in the lower part of the Dzheyrakhov gorge on the southern slope of the Mat Loam mountain range.

In 2019, repair and restoration work was carried out at the complex.

Hjarpe is located half a kilometer east of Dujárgisht at the foot of Table Mountain, 5 OKNs have been restored in it.

In the Jeirakh district of Ingushetia, emergency work was carried out to save the crumbling crypt of Meller.

The unique tower-shaped crypt tomb with artifacts was on the verge of destruction and irretrievable loss.

The crypt is located in an inaccessible place - on the outskirts of the tower complex "Meller", a three-tiered crypt, its height is 9 meters, with a stepped-pyramidal roof, the construction of which in ancient times was considered the highest of construction art.

The rock base of the object was damaged and corners collapsed, jeopardizing its stability.

Scientific and design documentation was developed and approved, according to which restoration work was carried out.

The preservation of this crypt was a fundamental task for the authorities of the republic, since it was one of the largest preserved land burial grounds, which increased its historical significance.

The battle tower of the architectural complex "Niy" and the collective tomb of the tower settlement "Erzi" in the 80s and now.

In Nazran, on the territory of the G1oazot Kashamash Memorial Complex, a mourning event is held dedicated to the memory of the victims of the events of autumn 1992. Head of the Committee for State Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites Kodzoev Timerlan Umarovich and Acting Director of the Dzhirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve Akhmetkhan Sampiyev also take part in this event.

As you know, this place was chosen not by chance, some of the victims of the tragic events are buried here, on the territory of the complex.

This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the tragic events of the autumn of 1992, when tens of thousands of people were forced to leave their places of historical residence: many lost loved ones, property and home. Hundreds of residents of the Prigorodny district and Vladikavkaz of Ingush nationality were killed, including many children, women, and old people.

The fate of many of them is still unknown, a considerable number are considered missing.

This tragedy left a big mark on the memory of people, touched the whole people. The Ingush nation suffered irreparable damage. The problem of returning to the place of former permanent residence has not yet been solved.

Hundreds of people attended the rally, including representatives of state and municipal authorities, public organizations, deputies, heads of various institutions, religious figures and ordinary residents of the republic.

One of the most interesting objects of the tower settlement Goust is a core-shaped mausoleum, located on the south-western outskirts of the village and dating from the end of the XVII - the beginning of the XVIII centuries.

Among the old-timers of the Jeirakhov gorge, the object is called Salam-Kash (The Tomb of Salam), since, according to legend, it was erected over the grave of the heroically fallen leader of the military squad named Salam from the Akhilgovy family.

It is associated with some fragmentary and very interesting plots of Ingush heroic-historical songs "illi", as well as various legends. According to these sources, recorded by Dautova and Chakhkiev in different years, an idealized hero named Salam once lived in the tower village of Goust (no more than 250-300 years ago), who was a representative of the nascent feudalizing (primarily military) stratum of Ingush society of the late Middle Ages.

Salam is drawn in folklore sources by the leader of a small military squad, who became famous for his numerous military victories, personal courage, courage and nobility.

It is reported that usually he, capturing rich prey, allegedly shared it or sometimes gave everything to poor and large widows. He was tall, powerful, and possessed inhuman strength. But in the end, Salam heroically fell on the battlefield, not even having time to get a family.

“He was buried with great honors in a tomb specially built for him in his native village of Goust. Subsequently, in the mausoleum began to bury their dead representatives of two related surnames – Achilgov and Tsitskiev.

The monument was first described by D.Y. Chakhkiev in 1985. They note that the burial chamber of the mausoleum contained the remains of more than 50 deceased with abundant and diverse accompanying inventory. Separate burials were in wooden (sometimes richly ornamented) coffins.

On October 31, 2024, employees of the Chakh Akhriev Research Institute of Humanities and the Dzhirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve, under the leadership of researcher Alikhan Akhriev, under a bilateral agreement on joint cooperation, made an expedition to the temple of Thaba-Yerda, with the aim of conducting research.

The subject of this research is the iconography and decoration of the temple and its interpretation.

“Any large project (which always includes the construction of a national facility) must have both an infrastructure and a theoretical basis. If, according to the first, everything is more or less clear (The Temple of Thab Yerda occupies an incredibly successful place - the choice of which is dictated not only by considerations of the beauty of the landscape, but also by strategic goals - the Great Silk Road, famous in ancient times, passed by it, it is located in the center of settlement of Ingush tribes and all roads lead to it), then there is no clarity with the theory. According to the theory of Ingush architecture, there is no work at all. Of course, written sources are of particular importance for understanding the theoretical foundations. In their absence (this is the case we have with Taba Erda and the tower architecture of the Ingush), iconography comes to the fore. The iconographic program of the studied Temple is very rich, but completely unexplored, notes researcher A. Akhriev.

The staff made photofixation, made a full inspection and analysis of the current state of the famous monument, made the necessary measurements.

The main purpose of the expedition, as noted earlier, was to study the decor of the Main Shrine of the Ingush people, with which it is "generously decorated ... in the form of cornices, curbs and other details made by a skilled master of soft limestone conglomerate."

“Not all of these decorations are wall cladding, which appeared after their construction (like the slabs of the ctiator composition on the western facade). Some of them are sculpted, carved, scratched on the protrusions of masonry stones, creating a constructive and architectural whole with a facade. Particular attention was drawn to the stone tiles depicting a person in the posture of addressing God (orant). Until recently, it has not been described in the literature, as well as the rest of the decor from the South Wall. For this reason, we confined ourselves to the decor from the southern facade of the Main Temple of the Ingush people.

On the southern facade of the Thaba Yerda Temple, more than a dozen elements deserve special attention. These elements, seemingly chaotic at first glance, are actually embedded in the masonry of the wall in a certain order, which suggests their relationship with each other and that reading each of these signs makes sense in a general context. The elements are horizontally arranged on two levels (belts I, II). At the bottom there are only three elements, the central of which is the entrance arch.

The upper belt of the iconographic program of the southern facade of the Temple of Taba Yerda is very informative. It includes three images on the same line, the farthest right of which - the orant is the most interesting. All three have in common the fact that they depict a person.

Here we see a schematic image, remotely resembling a rider (V.I. Markovin defined it as a petroglyph in the form of a rider). On the same line with him is a quite artistic image, quite accurately conveying the idea of the author. A successful attempt to interpret these images can give an answer to the question of whether these signs are separate images that have no connection with each other or are still signs of a single text that should have been read by an ancient pilgrim who came to bow to the Temple.

We hope that the joint search and survey activities at the site can clarify this issue and result in an original interpretation of all three images from the upper tier of the southern facade, in general, a very rich iconological program of the Thaba Erda Temple.

Neither rain, nor snow, nor wind, nor heat distract the staff of the Jeirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve from the intended goals. And the goal is as follows: by the end of the year to put on the state record all the cyclopean buildings of the Jeirakh district.

In connection with the planned goal, this weekend, taking advantage of favorable weather conditions, work was carried out on the Keli and Upper Keli complexes, where, according to preliminary data, at least 10 ancient buildings with barrier walls were noted.

Earlier, similar work on the accounting and fixation of cyclopean buildings was carried out in the tower settlement of Sredny Ozik, where 27 buildings and 3 barrier walls were taken into account.

As we have already noted, earlier on the state record, in the status of the identified objects of cultural heritage of the republic, there were only 14 cyclopean buildings of the architectural complex “Targim”, although, according to preliminary data, such buildings are noted in the tower complexes “Egikal”, “Khamkhi”, “Khart”, “Doshkhakle”, “Tori”, “Ozik”, “Keli”, “Kyazi” and others.

The next work is planned to be carried out at Upper Ozik and Doshkhakle.

Battle towers of the tower settlement of Khyamishki - before, after and during the restoration.

Khamishki is a medieval castle-type tower complex east of Lyazhga. Two battle towers of the complex were restored in 2012.

Employees of the Dzheyrah-Assinsky Museum-Reserve, within the framework of the work plan - supervision of restoration, conservation and emergency work on the preservation of historical and architectural objects on the territory of the museum-reserve, made an inspection trip to the tower settlement "Eban".

Eban is a village in the Jeirakh district of Ingushetia, as part of the rural settlement of Beini, located at the beginning of the Jeirakh gorge, on the steep right bank of the Armkhi River five kilometers from the Georgian Military Road. Nearby there is a turn to the center of a rural settlement - aul Beini.

The Eban tower complex was destroyed during a punitive expedition of the tsarist troops to mountain Ingushetia in 1830.

Once in this village towered military and residential towers.

Rehabilitation work is currently underway at the complex.

The working week in the Dzhirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve began with a meeting, under the leadership of acting director Sampiev A.A.

On the agenda were the issues of participation in the scientific and practical conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Ingush statehood, accounting of all cyclopean buildings of the Dzheyrakh district, accounting of cave-type rock objects located on Table Mountain and determining their locations.

Sampiyev A.A. stressed that a number of issues should be closed by the end of the year, given the seasonality of some of the work carried out, recalled the need for daily monitoring of tower complexes for detection of violations.

Concluding the working meeting with the employees, the head expressed hope that the employees will cope with the tasks set, and that joint participation in the conference will mark the beginning of mutually beneficial cooperation aimed at preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the region.

On November 12, 2024, the opening of the Interregional Scientific and Practical Conference “National and State Education in the Republic of Ingushetia” took place in the village of Armkha, Dzheyrakh district of the Republic of Ingushetia.

Russia: History and Modernity, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Ingushetia.

At the interregional scientific-practical conference "National-State Education in Russia: History and Modernity", dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Ingushetia, Akhmed-Khan Sampiyev made a scientific report on the activities, successes and problems of the Dzheyrah-Assin Museum-Reserve.

Among the guests of honor at the conference "National-State Entities in Russia: History and Modernity" were: Advisor to the Head of the Republic of Ingushetia Fursov Oleg Borisovich; Minister of Culture of the Republic of Ingushetia Zalina Israilovna Lyanova; Deputy of the People's Assembly of the Republic of Ingushetia Tsoev Ahmet Khadjibikarovich.

The final stage of the conference "National-state formations in Russia: history and modernity". Climb to Erzi Tower Complex. We are among the first to rise, waiting for the rest of the group. Climbing here unprepared will seem difficult, so when you are going to visit these towers, keep this in mind. Slowly gather all the participants of the expedition, many here for the first time, Ahmed Khan takes his position, as the host party and we begin our exciting journey into the world of towers.

Participants of the interregional scientific and practical conference arrived. Malsagova Lena - a professional guide-guide of mountain Ingushetia kindly agreed to us to open unknown pages of history. The participants of the expedition listen fascinated and with genuine interest.

The conference was organized by the Government of the Republic of Ingushetia, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Ingushetia, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Ingushetia, the Ingush State University, the State Archival Service of the Republic of Ingushetia, the Geirakh-Assin Museum Reserve and the Ingush Research Institute of Humanities.

Throughout 2024, events dedicated to the anniversary of the republic are held in Ingushetia, and the conference was among these events.

On November 11-13, employees of the Jeirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve, within the framework of the implementation of the List of instructions of the Head of the Republic of Ingushetia dated August 30, 2023, on holding a conference dedicated to the preservation and popularization of cultural heritage objects, and within the framework of a bilateral agreement between the State Research Institute named after C. Akhriev and the State University “Jeyrakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve” on cooperation of the parties, concluded on August 29, 2024, took part in the Interregional scientific and practical conference “National-State Education in Russia”, dedicated to the history of the Republic of 100-modern education.

The conference itself was held within the framework of the Plan of main measures for the preparation and holding of the celebration in 2024 of the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Republic of Ingushetia in pursuance of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 938 “On the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Republic of Ingushetia” dated December 8, 2023.

The conference was organized by the Government of the Republic of Ingushetia, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Ingushetia, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of RI, Ingush State University, the Ingush Research Institute of Humanities named after C. Akhriev, the Dzhirakh-Assin Museum-Reserve.

The conference was attended by: the Head of the RI, deputies of the RI People’s Assembly, members of the RI Government, representatives of scientific institutions of the RAS, universities and scientific centers of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Volgograd, Grozny, Essentukov, Krasnodar, Karachayevsk, Nalchik, Makhachkala, Maikop, Rostov-on-Don, Stavropol, Cherkessk, Elista, Magas and other cities of Russia.

By the beginning of the conference, a collection of materials in two parts was published, which will be included in the database of the Russian Science Citation Index (RISC) and posted on the Elibrary.ru portal.

The conference was held in the following sections:

National-state autonomy in the Caucasus: Ingush Autonomous Oblast ( 1924-1934 ): political and socio-economic processes.

Multinationality of the country as a factor of its stability in confronting challenges in new and modern times.

Languages of the peoples of Russia: preservation of linguistic diversity.

Literature and folklore of the peoples of the Caucasus: historical and cultural context.

Cultural heritage of the peoples of the Caucasus: history and modernity.

At the conference, acting director A.A. Sampiev made a scientific report on the activities, successes and problems of the Jeirakh-Assin State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve.

A.A. Sampiev’s speech caused a lively discussion among those present, all participants noted the great theoretical and practical significance of the presented report.

Art gallery of the artist Gadaborshev Sultan was organized and held: “Mountain Ingushetia through the eyes of the artist Gadaborshev S.A.”, photo exhibition of Timur Agirov “Medievary architecture of mountain Ingushetia”.

On the third, final day of the conference, a tour of the Jeirakh district was held for the participants.

In conclusion, I would like to note the high professional level of this event and its important positive role in the current conditions.

Taking this opportunity, we would like to express special gratitude to all employees of the Ingush Research Institute of Humanities named after C. Akhriev represented by the head of D. E. Ozdoev, as well as to all organizers and participants of the event.

On the territory of the Tumgi complex, an underground crypt was discovered, previously not recorded.

It is worth noting that some destroyed, ruined or underground structures can only be found in winter and early spring, when there is no vegetation cover.

The above objects include, recently discovered during the inspection, north of the semi-combat tower No. 1 of the Tumgi tower complex, an underground crypt, the condition of which is visually determined as satisfactory. The object found at the base has dimensions of 2x3 m, the entrance rectangular type.

We say discovered because in the formed lists of institutions – identified objects of cultural heritage – this object is not listed.

We admit that each of those who visited this complex repeatedly passed by this crypt, unaware that it may be of any interest, and the primary task of the museum-reserve, as part of the planned work, is the fixation and accounting of such objects.

And yet, as we noted earlier, the unknownness of these crypts lies in the fact that earlier the inhabitants of this area, for religious reasons, covered them with earth, or stones covered the entrance hole in them. So, in the course of comprehensive scientific research, the specialists of ASM Group identified the construction of stone bases of residential towers and ancient crypts with anthropological artifacts, and completed the restoration of 8 objects of cultural heritage. Restoration works will affect 34 facilities of the complex.

In 800 m south-east of Tumga there is a small, little-known castle-type tower complex - Hashale, which has a relatively well-preserved 1 semi-combat, 4 residential towers, 1 crypt burial ground.

The local towers were recorded and examined by D.Y. Chakhkiev in 1980, who notes that the complex has 4 tower buildings of the late Middle Ages with various structural details and a dilapidated collective tomb.

In our material, for the first time, a description of the object composition of the complex is given.

Demi-tower No. 1 - dimensions at the base (4*6 m). The building is three-tiered, partially destroyed, the roof is missing, on the east side on the second and third tiers there are two entrances-lazes, the entrance to the first tier is collapsed. The northern side is deaf, on the western and southern sides there are holes-holes, also on the southern side there is a ruined annex with preservation of the base.

Residential tower No. 2 - dimensions at the base (7*14 m) The building is located on the hillside, destroyed and in an extremely emergency condition, the north side is collapsed, the roof is missing, on the east side there is an arched blocky entrance.

Residential tower No. 3 - dimensions at the base (4 * 7 m). Destroyed and in an extremely emergency condition, the roof is absent, on the south side an arched entrance and a manhole have been preserved, the latter is located on the left side above the entrance.

Residential tower No4 - dimensions at the base (8*4.m). Partially destroyed building, the roof is missing, on the north side is buried in the mountainside, on the west side one above the other there are two arched entrances, from the inner part of the southern wall there are niches-deepening and one through hole-laze.

Residential tower No5 - dimensions at the base (10*5 m) Destroyed and extremely emergency building, the roof is missing, the northern and eastern parts are destroyed to the ground.

Crypt burial ground No. 6 - dimensions at the base (3.30 * 3.20 m) Destroyed and extremely emergency building, located on the hillside, the roof - pyramidal step, preserved in half, the eastern and northern parts of the crypt collapsed, on the western and northern sides there are holes.

Field material. It is published in order to protect, preserve and popularize objects of cultural heritage.

In the course of ongoing planned work on the identification and accounting of previously unrecorded cyclopean buildings, 6 buildings were recorded in Upper Ozik, and 7 buildings with adjacent walls were noted by Upper Doshkhakle.

On the tower complexes of Keli and Upper Keli, Sredny Ozik, Khart, Targim, similar works were carried out earlier. Subsequently, they will be put on the state record and mapped.

Employees of the museum-reserve during an inspection tour, near the tower complex "Lyalakh" found unaccounted underground crypts, in the amount of three pieces.

The tower complex Lyalakh is a large castle-type settlement in the Chulkhoy (Salgin) gorge. Built in the sixteenth century. From the north-west, the territory of the village is limited by a ravine, along the bottom of which a stream flows, from the south - by the steep bank of the Chulkha River, from the east - by a shallow ravine. To the north is the Rocky Range and Mount Tsei Loam. In the lower row of the village there are three battle towers, above the slope, under their cover, 22 residential towers were built.

Two crypts are relatively well preserved, compared to the third, the size of which is impossible to determine.

Employees carried out measurements of the object, made a photo fixation.

The first crypt has dimensions in the base of 3x3 m, a depth of one and a half meters, the entrance opening is one. The second structure with dimensions in the base of 3.5x3.5 m, depth of 1 m, the roof is missing. The third crypt is ruined.

The works are carried out within the framework of planned works on fixation and accounting of previously unrecorded objects of cultural heritage.

The identified objects will be included in the list of identified objects of cultural heritage of the republic and put into scientific circulation, and they will be of interest to all who are fond of the history of the region.

The head of Ingushetia Mahmud-Ali Kalimatov proposed to move the helipad, located near the tower complex Vovnushka. This decision he made after the appeal of representatives of the teip Ozdoevs with a request to limit the flights of helicopters over the family towers of Vovnushka, as vibration from them can lead to the destruction of historical objects that date back to the XII-XV centuries.

Kalimatov said that the transfer of the helipad to 500-700 meters will not affect the activities of border guards, but, in turn, will preserve the architectural monuments of Ingushetia.

Acting Director of the Jeirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve Sampiev A.A. made an inspection trip to the tower complex "Khyani".

The tower complex of Hyani (Khani, Hani, Heni-ing.) is located on a mountain slope in the center of the Salga gorge, near the Chulkha river. The buildings belong to the XVI century. It includes three combat, three semi-combat and 11 residential towers connected by long stone walls.

Hyani battle towers, six-storey, reaching a height of up to 30 meters, with a stepped-pyramidal coating, are vivid examples of the period of development and the highest heyday of construction in Ingushetia and neighboring regions, they stand out significantly against the background of similar structures, primarily the novelty of forms, external beauty and elegance of structural details.

Residential towers, in terms of rectangular or rarely trapezoidal, had two or more floors of a flat roof, with a high parapet.

A recognized and famous master-builder of the Middle Ages was Hing Haniyev from Khyan, there were also famous craftsmen for the manufacture of bows, arrows, crossbows, slings (for example, Alpi Haniyev).

In 2011-2012 , the Khiani complex was restored as far as possible, a gravel road was laid to it, and now it is one of the attractions of mountain Ingushetia.

On November 25, 2024, acting director of the Jeirakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve Sampiev A.A., together with the representative of the Committee for the State Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites of the Republic of Ingushetia M.G. Aspiev, General Director of ASM Group Mikhailov A.G., under the work plan to supervise restoration, conservation and emergency work on the preservation of historical and architectural objects on the territory of the museum-reserve, made an inspection trip to the tower complexes "Eban", "Keli", "Keli", "Keli", "Mukhorgi".

Work on the preservation of objects of cultural heritage is carried out under the condition of technical, author's supervision and state control in the field of protection of OKS over their conduct, as well as these works are carried out on the basis of a task and permission to carry out these works issued by the OKS protection body - the State Protection Committee of the OKS of the Republic of Ingushetia.

Changes to this task are possible only in coordination with the State Protection Committee of OKN RI.

During the inspection, on the tower complexes "Pui", "Keli" was identified a number of comments on the ongoing work, the elimination of which will be prepared and sent instructions in accordance with the current legislation to higher authorities.

Beney Tower at the foot of Mat Loam. It includes semi-ruined or heavily damaged late medieval one semi-combat and 8 residential towers with various annexes and stone defensive walls. Each tower was part of a separate complex of buildings. Residential towers with extensions and walls were grouped into family quarters.

On the walls and doorways at two residential towers you can see linear petroglyphs and tamgas (crosses, tricvesters, figures of people, etc.).

On the northern outskirts of the village of Beini, in the steep slopes of Mount Mat Loam, there are 4 inaccessible rock shelters of the late Middle Ages, extensive caves with facade southern stone walls. They are neatly stacked on a lime binder solution and covered with light yellow plaster. In the walls there are small vaulted door and window openings. In these shelters, during the threat of an enemy attack, the incapacitated population of the village of Beini was sheltered.

On the southern outskirts of the village of Beini, on a mountain slope, in pre-war times, the late medieval temple-sanctuary of Beini Seli towered with a rectangular base and a gable-step roof.

In the late Middle Ages, the Beini Towers were designed to protect surrounding villages from enemy attacks, as well as the residence of famous families in this area. Traditionally, all towers are surrounded by stone fences. The battle tower is located at the very top of the complex and is designed to protect it. According to sources, the Beini tower complex was completely abandoned by residents during the eviction of the Ingush people in 1944.

Currently, the towers are in a half-destroyed state. The complex of Bainey towers is surrounded by alpine meadows covered with silk, emerald grass, in the thick of which the purest springs are hidden, and in spring vast fields bloom with stunningly beautiful bouquets.

The history of Bainey, founded around the XVI century, is inextricably linked with the bloody wars of those times. And although the main occupation of the inhabitants of these places was cattle breeding, nevertheless, circumstances forced them to constantly hone their defensive skills. This even preserved a legend, which from word of mouth retells the local residents. According to popular legend, once on the site of the village of Beini was the village of Ioarch1ache - weeds and lived here G1am-nakyan - a tribe of witches. G1am-nakyan was characterized by cruelty and insidiousness.

And there was no rest from them to anyone. Their main occupation was robbery and robbery. For raids and warfare in the mountains, this family had 63 warrior horsemen. G1am-Najkian cattle were taken from neighboring tribes.

The mountaineers have long endured the excesses of the people of the witch tribe. But the day came when the neighbors were tired of their insidiousness, and they decided to cunningly eradicate a strong line of robbers. The brothers Dzarakh, Marzbik, Shovkhal from the village of Falkhan, hiding their true intentions, invited men of their kind to a feast and poisoned them.

Only two men of their family survived - they were away at the time. The G1am Naqian tribe was broken and the remaining women were broken, and the children left.

Thus, the village of Joarch1ache disappeared and over time, aul Beini appeared on this place. Old-timers say that the village got its new name from the killed G1am-nakyan, i.e. from the dead - "Beinarash" - Beini, and nearby another village began to be called Kashat1e (Kasheti) - the place of their burial.

Impressive views of mountain Ingushetia!

A unique phenomenon of Ingush material culture are residential towers, which, according to some researchers, arose from cyclopean buildings. Residential towers of the Ingush were called g1ala, and they were the most common buildings in mountainous Ingushetia. They were used as housing in modern times, up to the eviction of people. In appearance, they are different from battle towers. The construction of residential towers dates back to the XII century. The stone of the residential towers is made on lime. The secret of the solution with which the masonry was made has not yet been disclosed. Usually these buildings consist of two or three floors, they were from 10 to 12 meters high.

The first illustrations of the Ingush and their tower buildings appeared in the XIX century. The first collections of photographs of Ingush belong to D. A. Nikitin, N. K. Zeidlitz, Caucasian Y. Y. Karpov. They all traveled to the Caucasus at different times. Y.Y. Karpov visited Ingushetia, in the mountain villages of Dzhirakh, Erzi, Lyazhgi, Olgetti, Beini, Pui, Mushichi and climbed Table Mountain to capture the sanctuary of Myatseli. About the activities of these researchers in his work writes M. Albogachieva.

The presented collection includes photographs of military and residential towers, views of mountainous terrain, landscapes, in the amount of 82 photos taken in the mountainous part of Ingushetia, 72 photos shot in Chechnya, and 14 photos in Georgia. For us, photographs of architectural structures of mountain Ingushetia, taken in Dzherakh, Lezhgi, Erzi, Olgetti, Beini, Puy, Mushichi, where Y. Karpov managed to capture all types of ancient architectural structures of mountain Ingushetia, are of great interest.

In his dissertation work, S.D. Sulimenko gave a typology of tower structures, that is, showed their classification. He writes that residential-family towers are the most archaic type of tower structures. Until the XVIII century and even later, residential towers represented an architectural expression of the mythological syncretism of life, all kinds of activities were carried out (or could be carried out) in residential towers: residential, economic, defense, sacred.

Recently, interest in tower complexes, to the secrets of their construction has increased, which allows people interested to turn to various sources that allow them to consider the architectural details of Ingush architecture.

Tower buildings made of stone were reliable protection from enemies, were more durable than wooden buildings. The Ingush said, “He who lives in a tower is warm, and it is cold for him who does not have his own family tower.”

In the center of the residential tower there was always a four-sided pillar. Constructed of very large stones, rectangular in plan, slightly tapering up for stability, residential towers could also be used as fortresses.

Over time, the higher the residential tower was built, the already it became, which was due to the need to give the tower greater stability. If necessary, and residential towers, played the role of combat, they were adapted for defense. In many residential towers there are loopholes designed for the introduction of combat.

On the first floor of the residential towers, which served mainly as a barn, there were no windows, on the second floor there were tenants.

In numerous niches located in the thickness of the wall, household utensils were stored. Part of the housing occupied the bunks in the form of a wide platform. On the pegs, driven between the stones, hung weapons - bows, guns, sabers.

The collection of Yuri Karpov depicts residential towers, which have three floors and, as a rule, a rectangular base. The dimensions of the towers at the base are 6-15 × 4-9 m. The height of the buildings ranges from 8 to 12 m, the roof is flat, earthen. Entrance to the building through the door of the lower floor. Communication with subsequent floors is carried out with the help of a ladder through a hole in one of the corners of the interior. In the middle of all the buildings there was a stone pillar, which was a support for inter-storey log floors. The purpose of the defense of the tower served special battle crevices of the walls of the second and third floors, and sometimes stones laid in rows on the roof. Each floor had a clearly defined function. The first served as a barn, there were stored stocks of grain, livestock feed, tools and means of transportation. The second floor was residential, the third was intended for guests. In the center of the dwelling there was a hearth sacred to each mountaineer, above it a boiler for cooking was hung on a focal chain.”

In winter, the towers were heated with round fireplaces. Even in the summer they did not warm up, they remained cool.

On the outside of the residential tower at the ground floor level, there were two protruding stones on the wall, for which horses were tied. It was a horsetail.

Residential towers of different preservation are located in all villages of mountain Ingushetia. More preserved residential towers are located in the following mountain villages: Erzi, Egikal, Beini, Tsori, Harpe, Furtog, Lyazhgi, Salgi, Lyalakh, etc.

In many dilapidated residential towers, four-sided pillars with stone pillows that stood in the middle of the tower, designed to support the beams of the floors, were preserved. For example, well-preserved support pillars can be observed in residential towers – Harpe, Zori, etc.

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The Vovnushki Tower Complex is the most famous in Ingushetia and Russia.

Translated from Ingush Vonushki means “place of battle towers”. They vividly illustrate the concept of “firm”: huge stone structures, firmly standing on a rocky base. The approaches to the towers and residential extensions were blocked by powerful fortress walls, which were initially perceived as a natural part of the mountain.

Vonushki is a recognized masterpiece of medieval tower architecture, and a subject of special pride of the Ingush. Now it is difficult to imagine how much effort the builders of Vonushki had to make to create a four-storey complex in such a difficult place for construction, which was also chosen not by chance - this is the junction point of mountain gorges. In ancient times, one of the sections of the legendary Silk Road passed here.

Tower settlement Egikal of mountain Ingushetia.

One of the largest, most visited, as well as one of the most recognizable and popular tower complexes of mountain Ingushetia.

Located on the southern slope of Mount C1ei Loam, 2 km from the Assa River.

Egikal has more than a hundred different types of buildings: combat, semi-combat, residential towers, sanctuaries, sielings, mausoleums, crypts - round, tower-like, ground and underground.

The history of the complex goes deep into the centuries.

It is under state protection.

Tower complex "Furtoug", mountain Ingushetia (the tower where the great Russian chemist D. I. Mendeleev stayed).

At the end of the twentieth century in the mountains of Ingushetia visited a geological expedition led by D. I. Mendeleev - the great Russian chemist, author of fundamental research in chemistry, physics, chemical technology of oil and explosives.

The scientist was amazed by the beauty of the Caucasus and noted that the North Caucasus is not inferior to the mountainous Altai and Urals in terms of the richness of natural resources.

International Mountain Day is celebrated annually on January 11. The holiday was established by a UN General Assembly resolution in 2003.

The purpose of this day is not to congratulate all those involved, but to preserve the natural wealth of the world, support the indigenous people of mountainous areas, raise awareness of the problems and importance of mountain ranges.

According to the United Nations, about 15 percent of humanity lives in the mountains. About 50% of all biodiversity is there. About half of humanity depends on the various resources that mountains provide. The more dangerous are climate change, land degradation and any other negative changes in these areas.

The mountains of Ingushetia are pristine and special beauty. No matter where we are, there are amazing mountains. The mountain peaks are associated with the most beautiful Ingush traditions, and on their slopes there are ancient towers and religious monuments.

The highest mountain peak in Ingushetia is Mount Shoan. Its name comes from the Ingush word "sha" - glacier, as well as Tsei Loam and Tsoreilam.

A special place and reverence in the republic is occupied by legends, Table Mountain, about 3000 m above sea level, which, in addition to the famous monuments located on the top, contains a lot of secrets and mysteries on its slopes.

Tower architecture of Ingushetia in the works of researchers and scientists.

In the middle of the XVIII century, the Georgian historian Vakhushti Bagrationi, visiting hard-to-reach mountainous areas, noted that the Ingush “know how to build from stone on lime and build houses, towers and fortifications from them.”

In the XVIII-early-XIX centuries. there are works of a research nature. Ethnographic studies that appeared during this period are closely related to the study of stone architecture monuments of the Ingush and other peoples of the Caucasus.

In scientific expeditions in the North Caucasus, such scientists as P.S. Pallas, G.Y. Klaprot, I.L. Guldenstedt, F. Parrot, M. Engelgart took an active part, who later turned to the problem under study.

At the beginning of the XX century the Soviet stage of studying monuments of mountain Ingushetia began and this period was represented by the works of A.F. Goldstein, L.P. Semenov, I.P. Shcheblykin, E.I. Krupnov, V.P. Kobychev, A.I. Robakidze, M.M. Basorkin, etc.

In 1925-1932 , archaeological and ethnographic expeditions in the mountains of Ingushetia were conducted by scientist L.P. Semenov. In his reports he wrote: "In the Ingush monuments reflected the change of three religions, successively replacing one another: pagan (the oldest), Christian (which began to penetrate the XII century), Muslim (which penetrated in the XVII century).

A significant role in the study of monuments of archaeology of mountain Ingushetia was played by E. I. Krupnov under the leadership of whom the archaeological expeditions of the State Historical Museum (GIM) were carried out in Ingushetia. His first scientific works on ancient and medieval Ingushetia were published in GIM.

A general description of military and residential towers, castle structures, temples, crypts and sanctuaries is given by the artist-ethnographer I.P. Shcheblykin, who participated in expeditions to mountain Ingushetia together with L.P. Semenov.

At the present stage of study, in parallel with the studies of M. Muzhukhoev, D.Y. Chakhkiev, the works of scientists appeared - R. Munchayev, V.I. Markovin, V.B. Vinogradov, V.H. Tmenov, I.M. Miziev and many others.

Among these studies, it is worth noting the monograph by V.I. Markovin, which describes the traditional architecture of Ingushetia and other regions of the North Caucasus.

Cyclopean structures of mountain Ingushetia, dating of a number of settlements in the mountains, rooted in the III thousand BC, and much more have important scientific significance.

The study of the monuments of mountain Ingushetia gives us a certain idea of the economic and social differentiation of society. These monuments testify to ties with other peoples of the Caucasus.

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This year, together with the partners of the National Objects and Security Management System “Territory”, joint research was carried out on cave-type rock structures located on the southern slope of the Stolovaya Mountain.

As a result of the works, 9 rock structures were located, their measurements were taken, all structural features of the premises were noted, and they were photographed.

All of them will be put on the state record.

The Stolovaya Mountain, as we noted earlier, holds many mysteries.

Today, Mukhyamad-Basir Iliev, an employee of the Jeyrakh-Assin Museum-Reserve, held a preventive talk on careful attitude to the republic's historical and cultural monuments with pupils of the Guli village school.

The event was held in order to protect and preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the region, as well as moral and moral education of the younger generation.

A meeting was held in the museum-reserve to summarize the results of the outgoing year. The participants of the event recalled the most significant and memorable events of this period.

Some types of work due to seasonality are not available in winter, so in the fall-winter period, inspectors of the museum-reserve familiarize schoolchildren with the monuments of mountainous Ingushetia, conduct preventive talks about careful attitude to them, give an idea of their importance for history and culture.

During this year, inspection visits were made to the tower complexes of Tsori, Oaseg, Old Evli, Kashtym, Lyazhgi, Meller, Middle Ozdig, Upper Guli and Upper Pui, Musiyk'ongikoate, Furtoug, Garak, Erzi, New Evli, Gappi, Phyamet, Metskhal, Olgeti, Doshkhakle, Salgi, B1arakh, Gul, Shoane, Besht, Khyarp, Dukhyargisht, Ankoate, Khyani, etc. to monitor the technical condition of cultural heritage objects. Based on the visits made, visual changes in the structures were photographed and technical condition certificates were drawn up.

Within the framework of the work plan for the supervision of restoration, conservation and anti-accident works on the preservation of historical and architectural objects on the territory of the museum-reserve, inspection visits were made to the tower complexes of Nizhny Pui, Keli, Morch, Khyamishki, Eban, Doshkhakle, Tumgi where restoration works are underway.

Saturdays were held at a number of complexes to clean up adjacent territories, and at the Furtaugh tower complex sanitary measures were taken to demolish illegal outbuildings, in particular, a summer outbuilding located in the protection zone of the complex was dismantled.

One of the subbotniks was held on April 18, timed to coincide with the International Day of Monuments and Historic Sites, as a result of which a tributary of the Assa River was cleaned.

Very important and timely were the activities carried out to clean the perimeter of the core mausoleum of the Tovhanti tower estate from spontaneous growth, which posed a potential threat to the integrity of the historical site. Armed with saws and axes, the boys cut down bushes and unwanted vegetation, saving the monument from damage and increasing its attractiveness to visitors.

Together with specialists from ACM Group, work was carried out to fix and register cultural heritage objects at the Govzt, Khyarp, Morch, Niy, Khamkhi, Tori, Upper Barkhane, Lower Barkhane, Salgi, and Khairakh tower complexes.

As it is known, inventory of OKN is one of the necessary components of the comprehensive study of monuments, it is carried out in order to preserve and popularize objects of cultural heritage, as well as to ensure their integrity.

At the beginning of the year an agreement was reached on cooperation with the National System of Object Management and Security “Territory”, within the framework of which a unified information base of cultural heritage objects of the republic will be available - in order to get all the necessary information about the area and a landmark it will be enough to scan the personal code of the object.

Also, as part of the introduction of this system on the territory of the museum-reserve, for the first time joint research was conducted on unrecorded cave-type rock structures located on the southern slope of Table Mountain in the Jeyrakhsky district.

Thanks to these studies, the rock structures will be put on the state register and given a legal status. These works will be continued next year.

During this year, an inspection trip was also made to the Sunzhensky district, to the tower complexes located on the bank of the Fortanga River, as well as to the little-known and rarely visited tower complexes of Agutyr, Kasheti, Gvezi, and Oaseg.

Within the framework of the work plan for the identification and accounting of previously unrecorded architectural monuments, a previously unknown underground structure was discovered on the territory of the Tsori tower settlement, 2 river mills and 4 underground crypts were noted on the territory of the Furtoug complex. It was put on the account pillar-shaped sanctuary-ts1uv, located southeast of the tower complex Lower Pui, in Novy Evli was found not accounted underground crypt, unknown underground structures were found in Upper Pui, pillar-shaped sanctuary-sieling was noted in Besht, etc.

The most interesting finds were a “calendar” stone, on which two rows of horizontal notches were carved parallel to each other, discovered on the territory of the Erzi complex and a unique architectural structure attached to a mountain ridge, discovered on Mount Guirahye, 3 km away from the Guli tower complex.

Participated in the following events:

on the occasion of the completion of the restoration work of the Gouste Tower Complex, which restored the historic ensemble of three towers;

climbing the Table Mountain;

in the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Caucasus at the Junction of Europe and Asia: Problems of Preservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage and Restoration of Unique Objects in the North Caucasus Federal District”, which was held in Grozny, Chechen Republic on July 21-23, 2024;

in the shooting of a documentary film in the mountains of Ingushetia as part of the project of the Federal Agency for Nationalities “Audiovisual Ethno-Encyclopedia”, which presents a series of documentaries about ethnic cultures living in Russia;

visited the photo exhibition of the researcher-archivist B. Gazikov, where photo materials of ancient Ingush towers and rural settlements from the funds of the State Archive of the Russian Federation and the State Russian Museum of St. Petersburg were presented;

in the traditional “Jeyrakh Marathon” race, which this year was held as part of the official events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Ingushetia, etc.

Among the most significant events of the outgoing year, in our opinion, it is worth highlighting the participation in the interregional scientific-practical conference “National-State Formations in Russia: History and Modernity”, which was held within the framework of the Ingushetian Institute of Humanities named after Ch. Akhriev. This conference was timed to the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Ingushetia and became a bright event for all its participants.

A.A. Sampiev, acting director of the Jeirakh-Assin State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve, made a scientific report on the activities, successes and problems of the Jeirakh-Assin State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve.

A.A. Sampiev's speech caused a lively discussion among those present, all participants noted the great theoretical and practical significance of the presented report.

Our participation in this event was possible due to the bilateral agreement between the IngNII of Humanities named after Ch. Akhriev and the Museum-Reserve on cooperation between the parties. Also within the framework of this agreement, the staff of the institution made an expedition to the temple “Tkhaba-Yerdy” in order to conduct research. The subject of the research is iconography, decoration of the temple and its interpretation.

And the second memorable significant event, not only for the staff of our institution, but for all residents of the republic, is the victory of our project “Development of the Jeirakh-Assinsk Museum-Reserve” in the nomination of tourism project within the Days of Regional Development “Space of the Future” at the exhibition “Russia”, which was held in Moscow from May 21 to July 3, 2024.

The victory of our project became possible thanks to the support of the residents of the republic, who actively voted for it and its presentation at a high professional level by Acting Director A. Sampiev. We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in the project!

Each completed work at any stage is new knowledge, important discoveries, personal growth and invaluable experience for our employees.

At the end of his speech, A. Sampiev congratulated everyone on the coming New Year, thanked for the work done and expressed his hope to meet next year in the same team, in good spirits and ready to work!

December 27, 2024 Acting Director of the Jeirakh-Assin Museum-Reserve Akhmed-Khan Sampiev took part in a meeting of the Border Commission under the Head of the Republic of Ingushetia in Magas.

The participants of the meeting discussed issues related to the possibility of placing information stands at the railway station of the Republic of Ingushetia, at the international airport “Magas” named after S. S. Oskanov and at the bus station of the city of Nazran on the rules of the border regime operating on the territory of the Jeyrakhsky district, the order of issuing passes and permits for economic activities.

It is noted that the joint work of the Border Department and the Government of the region to raise awareness of the population and guests of the Jeyrakhsky district about the current border regime has led to more than twofold reduction of detected violations.

“The increase in tourist traffic makes it necessary to improve the system of informing tourists. Arriving guests, especially on the threshold of the active tourist season, it is necessary to explain the rules of the border regime and the consequences of their non-compliance. This will minimize cases of unintentional offenses”, - said Prime Minister Vladimir Slastenin.

Инспектор музея-заповедника Харон Хамхоев провёл профилактическую беседу с учениками Алкунской СОШ о памятниках истории и культуры Ингушетии и бережном к ним отношении.

The Lyazhgi tower complex is located to the east of Meleri, occupying a small hollow on the right bank of the Armkhi River. Five powerful castle complexes, each with a combat tower, once stood here.

Only two combat towers have been preserved to their full height.

According to folk etymology, the name Lyazhgi was derived from the word “lyazhg”, which was the name of a leather sack used for storing grain. The village got such a name because its land gave good yields - a small piece of land yielded a whole “lazhg” of grain.

The tallest and the most slender of all the towers in the settlement is the tower of Hutievs with slate step-pyramidal covering, ending with a protruding white stone spire. Its peculiarity is the presence of a four-sided stone false vault not only on the 2nd and 6th floors, but also on the 3rd floor. This, a very rare phenomenon for local architecture, strengthened the construction of the tower and increased its defense capability.

The master installed the stone (tsIogal) at the very last moment. Without such a stone, the tower was considered unfinished. As for the other towers, they were 5-storied, with a flat roof and a parapet. Nowadays, it is not so common to see a tower with a surviving spire.

The second, no less graceful, is the combat tower of the Kharsievs, which was restored in 2006-2010 .

The residential towers have original door and window openings, economic and defensive niches, loopholes, central support pillars of inter-storey ceilings, horse stalls and other details. I.P. Shcheblykin emphasized some interesting details of local buildings.

A high stone barrier wall of the late Middle Ages adjoined the settlement from the southern side. It had a wide lockable gate. Day and night local guards were on duty near them, controlling a section of the most important trade, transportation and military highway that ran here. Nowadays, only some parts of the wall have been preserved.

Also according to legends, in the vicinity of the village, the local population actively mined copper ore, from which they made various products. The goods were then sold even to the mountainous regions of Georgia and North Ossetia.

The Falkhan tower complex is located in the Jeyrakh gorge, on the spur of Table Mountain. The village of Falkhan has been abandoned by people for a long time. Today one can observe three combat, one semi-combat and twelve residential structures damaged there. Up to now 12 family crypts have been preserved, and there was also an early Muslim mosque on the territory of the complex. Unfortunately, the religious building has not been completely preserved - only its remains, including the minaret. The mosque was built after the Ingush people accepted Islam - it was at the end of the XIX century. There was also a madrassa here.

Aul Falkhan is a kilometer away from the neighboring settlement of Lyazhgi. A tall signal tower was built between the settlements - it was used as an observation point and to warn of impending danger. This was practiced between almost all neighboring sharks, so they built tower complexes no further than a kilometer from each other.

The towers of Falhan, if we believe the legend, are based on the lineage of Ferhast, who had three sons. This event took place approximately in the XII century. The G1am-Na'kyan tribe used to reign here, and it was quite warlike, so it was not easy to build a tower complex on a rock.

All combat towers were 5-storied and square, and residential towers were rectangular and a little lower: they were built 2 or 4-level. In the outlines of some buildings one can well guess traces of the former greatness of the aul Falhan. The tower complex looks especially amazing from the height: ancient buildings of ivory color are scattered on the smooth, as if velvet spur of the sacred mountain.

The combat tower of the Dzarakhov teip is very well preserved. It is believed that Dzarakh, the grandson of Ferkhast, became the ancestor of this teip. Legends speak of him as a very brave knight, tearing a whole ram out of a pit at a gallop, which was not everyone's strength. The people even elected the daredevil as the head of the army to protect the fortress from enemy invasions. Probably, that is why the family became known as the Dzarakhovs, i.e. the guards of the gorge.

The ancestral tower of the village Falkhan rises above the cliff, in an extremely inaccessible location - apparently, this was the intention of the ancient builders. Its construction is very interesting: it was possible to enter the Falkhan tower only through the dwelling building, to which it was connected by a gallery.

It is said that to defeat the Gamnakans, they had to use military cunning and guile: they were lured to the territory of the Falhan tower complex, drugged with stupefying herbs and killed in their sleep. In any case, Ferkhast and his people managed to settle in the local mountains.

The population of Falkhan village was engaged in pottery, made products from wood and animal bones, bows. There were even mining deposits on the territory of the tower complex, from where the locals drew saltpeter, ore, lead and ochre. In the fields they cultivated corn, wheat, grew potatoes and flax, which was considered medicinal. In short, it was a fairly prosperous aul.

Archaeological excavations were often carried out on the territory of the Ingush Falkhan tower complex, during which scientists found coins, shards of ancient dishes and so on. The researchers concluded that the most active period of fortress and bastion construction was during the period of the Mongol-Tatar invasions.

Magomed Yevkurov, an employee of the museum-reserve, held a preventive talk on the formation of a careful attitude to historical and cultural monuments with pupils of the State Budgetary Educational Institution “Olgetti village school”.

The event was held in order to protect and preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the region and moral education of the younger generation.

The original ground crypt of the Tsizdy tower settlement.

It is located in the southern part of the complex. It has a flat roof with a crenellated end, with large cone-shaped stones placed on the crenellations decorated with diamond-shaped ornamentation.

It is the only well-preserved crypt of this form in mountainous Ingushetia.

Tsizdy is a tower complex 2 km south of Niikoate. It consists of nine residential towers attached to each other in a circular line. The facade walls of some towers were smoothly rounded, which strengthened the defensive functions of the castle.

Earlier, a smithy attached to the dwelling tower was discovered on the territory of the complex. There is an anchor-shaped petroglyph on the entrance arched stone of the dwelling tower.

The medieval tower complex Shoan is located in the picturesque Shoan Gorge near the Armkhi River. The etymology of the name is obscure (according to one data, the ancestor of the Shankhoi-Shoa migrated from Barkin and founded Shoani, according to others Shoankhoi got its name from the habitat in the highlands from “shuo” - abyss, precipice).

At a glance, this complex resembles a swallow's nest clinging to a steep cliff. There was once one combat tower and 11 residential towers. As in all tower complexes of mountainous Ingushetia, there is a vaulted doorway on the second floor of the combat tower, and on the first floor there are sacks for storing agricultural supplies. According to the stories of old residents, Shoan was home to master gunsmiths, girls were famous for their weaving skills and ability to embroider with gold, silver and beads.

On the left bank of the river dividing Shoan into two parts, at the entrance to the Shoan gorge, on a high slope there is a watchtower, it is almost destroyed today. Nearby is the cemetery of those distant times. The gravestones (churtash) are overgrown with green moss. Elmarza-Khyazha, recognized as a saint in Ingushetia, is said to have been buried here.

Historians and archaeologists have noted and described the Shoan single semi-subterranean crypt, crypt burial grounds, stone box burial ground. There is a Shoan sanctuary of Tusholi, memorial chambers. On the eastern side of Shoan there are two pillar-shaped sanctuaries.

Particularly notable is the so-called Shuan “City of the Dead” (“Mohde”), located 1.0 km west of the complex, in the Mohde locality.

The scale of the “Shuansky City of the Dead” (Mohde) is impressive - it is the largest necropolis in the region and in the region, consisting of more than 250 underground and semi-underground collective crypt vaults of the late Middle Ages.

This unique crypt necropolis has been permanently studied since the end of the XIX century by V. F. Miller, V. I. Dolbezhev, L. P. Semenov, Yo. I. Krupnov, M.X. Kataev, M.V. Muzhukhoev, D.Y. Chakhkiev, E.I. Narozhny, R.A. Dautova, X.M. Mamaev and other researchers, whose scientific works give general and detailed characterization of many local tombs, burial rites, found here very numerous and diverse finds.

The results of the latest scientific research allow us to attribute this burial ground as a whole to the second half of the XIII-XV centuries.

At present, Shoan is deserted, except for S. Getagazov, who settled there. Getagazov, who settled here in 1992.

Sanctuaries, as the most expressive monuments of pagan cult, have long attracted the attention of researchers of the region. However and now not all sanctuaries of the country are fixed by archeologists. Besides newly discovered monuments were not always studied and described with necessary for the subsequent work on them completeness and thoroughness.

In this material, we would like to show the temples and sanctuaries of mountainous Ingushetia, note their location from west to east and tell about the degree of their preservation.

In 800 meters southwest of Upper Jeyrakh, on a wooded mountain slope one can see the ruins of the sanctuary Sampai-Chug, which was dedicated to the patron saint of the home hearth.

The sanctuary of Myat-seli is located on the site of Table Mountain, at the very edge of the southern cliffs, at an altitude of 2560 meters above sea level. A feature of the sanctuary are two doors located in the west and east walls. The site has been preserved to its full height.

Myat-seli had the significance of one of the most important Ingush patrons. According to Ingush belief, Tamyzh-Yerda, Amgaly-Yerda and Myatseli were siblings, of whom Myatseli was the eldest.

The ruins of the temple of Myater-Dyala are located 200 meters above the temple of Myat-Seli, on the northern slope of the mountain. In ancient times, prayers were also held at this shrine, which is more compact than Myat-Seli.

At 450 meters above the towers of Morch stands the temple-sanctuary Morch-Seli XVI-XVII century, with a half-destroyed roof, it is the only more or less preserved temple at the foot of Table Mountain.

In the area of the village of Kerbite, on the crest of the mountain ridge, stands a small late medieval sanctuary building with a square base and a flattened gable-stepped roof.

This monument was first noted by L.P. Semenov and I.P. Shcheblykin. Its stationary research, which revealed inside the building only bones of sacrificial domestic animals, was carried out by M.B. Muzhukhoev in 1976. Apparently, this sanctuary belongs to the 17th century, as evidenced by local fragmentary historical and folklore stories.

The Itaz-Yerdy sanctuary temple is located 2 km south of Olgeti village, on the high right bank of the stream of Olgeti gorge. The temple has large dimensions, almost 10 meters long, 5 meters wide and 5 meters high. The inner room is divided by a lancet arch, which goes from the very floor.

Within the boundaries of the Egenta complex, 50 meters south of the residential towers stands the late medieval, dilapidated temple-sanctuary of Gal Erda. To the left of the entrance to the temple there is a plaster drawing of a horseman with a spear.

Half a kilometer from the tower village of Magote, on the edge of a huge cliff stands the ancient temple of Mago-Yerdy, named in honor of the legendary magician, sage Mago, who became the progenitor of five Caucasian clans and built, according to legend, by him.

A small sanctuary was built near Mago-Yerdy in honor of Seska-Solsa-Yerdy, the leader of the Narts. According to legend, a radiance emanated from Seska-Solsa's sanctuary. At night it was so bright that one could sew near it. Now the shrine has collapsed into the abyss.

At the northern edge of the village of Tumgi stands one of the largest cult buildings of mountainous Ingushetia - the temple of Tumgoi-Yerdy. According to radioisotope dating, it was built in 1558-1637 . Inside the building has three stone arches.

The Tusholi temple-sanctuary of Meller is located 300 meters west of the Meller combat tower, the structure was destroyed long ago, and today there are only remnants of the structure.

Keli sanctuary is located to the north of Keli village and northwest of Kog village, on the southern slope of the mountain Tsei-Lam. The building is half-destroyed, rectangular in plan, oriented along the line S-S and previously had a gable-stepped roof.

In the limits of the village of Kog towers heavily damaged late medieval sanctuary-building Tusholi (Kog-Yerda), which has a rectangular base and gable-stepped roof.

According to radiocarbon analysis, the sanctuary was built in 1441-1486 .

On a difficultly accessible top of mountain Kuleyloam (2915 m) of the Tsei-Loam ridge there is a heavily damaged medieval sanctuary Dyala.

Above the Gadaborsh complex, on the top of a gentle wooded ridge is a half-destroyed large temple-sanctuary of the XVII century Dzorakh-Dyala.

0.2 km north of the village of Kart, on the crest of a high hill, stands a heavily damaged large temple-sanctuary Dyalit late medieval period.

The sanctuary is quadrangular at the base, with a gable-stepped roof. In the past the temple-sanctuary enjoyed great honor among the Ingush, who even at the end of the XIX century gathered to it to solve common issues.

On the north-western outskirts of the settlement Barkhane, rises a graceful medium-sized late medieval sanctuary-building, which has a rectangular base and preserved gable-stepped roof. It is oriented in a south-east to north-west direction. Inside the building is divided into two parts by an arch.

Opposite Targim settlement, on the opposite slope of the Assy bank one can see the ruins of the sanctuary-mausoleum of Ausha-Sel. Once the mausoleum reached a height of three meters. According to legend, a certain Aush was killed by lightning of the thunderer Sel, and the mausoleum was erected to commemorate it.

The Targim (first) temple is a building measuring seven meters long, almost five meters wide, with one apse and a girt arch. The roof of the temple is not preserved. A distinctive feature of the temple is the presence of an underground crypt tomb, the access to which was arranged under the western wall of the temple. On one of the walls of the temple there are inscriptions in the ancient Georgian language, according to which it can be attributed to the XI century.

The second Christian temple in Targim was discovered recently. A part of the northern wall has been preserved from it. Near the temple there is a semi-underground tomb.

One and a half kilometers from Gappi at the top of a wooded mountain is located Gappin temple-sanctuary Gurmte, presumably dated XVI-XVII centuries. Up to the beginning of the XX century, the inhabitants of the whole area prayed and sacrificed here. Nowadays the temple is very rarely visited.

The Erzi tower complex is one of the largest tower complexes in mountainous Ingushetia, located at the tip of the mountain ridge, 900 meters west of Kerbite.

It includes combat, semi-combat and dwelling towers, various annexes to them, as well as crypt burial grounds, a nucleus-shaped mausoleum, a temple-sanctuary, etc.

The number of storeys of towers starts from 4 and ends with 6 levels.

Erzi means eagle in Ingush.

Near the towers of the aul there is a nucleus-shaped mausoleum Yand-Kash (Yand's grave), which was built over the grave of a famous local architect named Yand, the ancestor of the Yandiyev family. There are many tales and legends about Yand.

For example, an old Ingush song - illi “About how the tower was built” sings about the work of stonemasons, one of whom is a famous architect named Yand. We will write more about it in a later piece.

Briefly, Yand-Kash was described in the works of Soviet archaeologists-ethnographers L. P. Semenov, I. P. Shcheblykin, E. I. Krupnov, who in the early twentieth century conducted archaeological research on the territory of Ingushetia, thus laying the foundation for a comprehensive study of the past of our region.

A relic of a bronze eagle was found in the mausoleum, which gave the village its name.

This relic became one of the national symbols for Ingushetia. A copy of this eagle is in the T. Malsagov Local History Museum, while the original is kept in St. Petersburg, in the State Hermitage Museum.

Yesterday, employees of the Museum-Reserve took part in an event held in the walls of the Tugan Malsagov Ingush State Museum of Local Lore. Tugan Malsagov on the return of the third part of the artifacts discovered in 2018 during the reconstruction of the federal highway “Kavkaz” in the Gamurzievsky administrative district.

The archaeological excavations were stored at the Institute of Caucasus Archaeology for almost six years, and during this time a tremendous amount of work was done to study, describe and map them.

The event was attended by the deputy of the People's Assembly Tsoroev A.Kh., representatives of the Institute of Archaeology of the Caucasus, the head of the Committee of State Protection of the objects of cultural heritage Kodzoev T.U., Professor E.D. Muzhekhoeva, associate professor of the History Department of Ingush State University, employees of the Jeirakh-Assinsk Museum-Reserve, employees of the E.I. Krupnov Archaeological Center, employees of the Ch. Akhriev Research Institute of Humanities, local historians, students, as well as people who are not indifferent to the history of the Ingush people.

All speakers agreed that the found exhibits are of great scientific interest for the history and culture of the republic.

In 2018, the expansion of the federal highway “Kavkaz” was underway in the Gamurzievo area. Soon the usual construction work entailed a real archaeological expedition. During this time, whole towns (or rather what was left of them - ancient settlements), Scythian barrows with ancient household items: clay vessels, bronze jewelry and even mysterious remains of people with deformed skulls were discovered underground. Gamurzievskoye ancient settlement is a historical settlement in Nazranovsky district of Ingushetia. The ruins of the ancient settlement occupy a vast territory - about 10 thousand square meters.

In total, during the excavations were found more than 4000 items of deep antiquity, belonging, according to experts, to the Koban culture and the Alanian era.

Yesterday representatives delivered more than 1500 artifacts, by the way, this is the third batch of exhibits, and 2 batches were brought earlier, last year.

The transfer of the artifacts to the Ingush people took place thanks to the joint work of the head of the Committee for State Protection of Cultural Heritage Objects Kodzoev T.U., acting director of the Jeirakh-Assinsk Museum-Reserve Sampiev A.A., head of the local history museum Sagov M.Z. and director of the Institute of Caucasian Archaeology Biyaslan Atabiev, who at the end of 2023 came to a mutual agreement to return the finds to their historical homeland.

All artifacts in the form of fragments of ceramics, women's jewelry, weapons, household items, etc., reflecting the history and culture of the Ingush people are presented at the exhibition in the Museum of Local Lore.

The inspector of the museum-reserve M. Akhilgov held a preventive talk on the formation of a careful attitude to monuments of history and culture with the students of the Beyninsky branch of the State budgetary general educational institution “Secondary Educational School-Kindergarten of the village of Jeyrakh named after I.S.Lyanov”.

Representatives of the Jeirakh-Assinsk Museum-Reserve visited the opening of a monument to Idris Beisultanovich Zyazikov, an outstanding political and state figure, an active participant in the creation of the Ingush Autonomous Oblast and its first leader.

The monument was erected in Magas, on the square in front of the Administration of the Head of the Republic.

The Ingush believed that individual families, villages and societies had special patrons - divine beings or saints. Their name in Ingush is “tstsu” or “yerdy”. Some of these deities acquired general Ingush significance and were equally honored by all Ingush, while others (and these were the majority) were purely local, family or clan patrons.

Public places where deities are honored are usually tracts on elevated places (which, however, is not obligatory), sometimes close to the village, sometimes at a considerable distance from it.

The center of veneration is “elgyts” - a temple or sanctuary - a small building with an inner room, often enclosed by a fence.

Groves are also among the venerated tracts. Thus, in various places in Ingushetia we can point to protected and sacred groves (for example, in the areas of the villages of Furtoug, Khuli and Khairakh).

It was forbidden to enter the sacred grove or to let livestock into it; no trees could be cut down in it. If necessary, the priest gave special permission for this or that.

The veneration of groves and trees was expressed in a number of cultic actions: large trees were chosen, altars were placed under them, offerings were hung on the branches - horns of deer, aurochs, rags and rags, etc., festivities were organized, the so-called Khirkh-erdy.

Here we shall also mention that a number of objects used in cults were connected in different forms with the fact of veneration of groves or trees in general.

The four-sided shaft of the beirah, the sacred flag, which appeared at almost all great festivals, was usually made of a pole cut from a protected grove. The priest, who for the most part held his office for life, had to mark each annual celebration by cutting on the same edge of the shaft. After the death of the priest, his successor made the same cuts on the second edge, and so on. A shaft that had outlived four priests, and therefore had cuts on all four sides, had to be replaced by a new one. It was either stuck behind the ceiling beams of the elgats, as an unnecessary, but still sacred, object, or burned, if the period of its existence was unlucky (diseases, drought, bad harvest, etc.). A rod for a new shaft was cut, on behalf of the priest, in a protected grove by a single guy of chaste behavior. He had to go silently into the forest, silently and with one blow of the axe to fell the tree and silently return and hand the shaft to the priest.

In the cult of Magi-erda there is a rite of throwing linden staffs by old men...

A long time ago there lived in the mountains a man named Diskhi, who was famous for his art of building tall towers. In one of the auls of the Akki Gorge Diskhi married a maiden. Once in spring, when it is easiest to get sheepskins from young sheep in the mountains, Diskhi asked his bride to prepare sheepskins and make him a coat.

The bride promised to fulfill the bridegroom's request, but she was very sluggish: the summer was coming to an end, cold mornings were beginning, and the coat was still missing. The groom inquired whether his errand had been fulfilled, and to his great dismay he was convinced of his bride's utter negligence; it turned out that the sheepskins had not yet been finally dressed. Wishing to express as much indignation as possible for such inattention to his request, Diskhi became indignant and, in order to teach his bride a lesson, said that he himself would prepare everything necessary and build a high tower sooner than the coat was ready.

From words came to deeds: Diskhi began to prepare the stones, and then he soon began to build the walls. Naturally, Diskhi was in a great hurry, so that he could prove the truth of his words before his bride. The walls were already finished, stone slabs were piled on the high scaffolding; it was left to make the roof of them, as suddenly the logs of the scaffolding broke under the exorbitant weight of the stone and.... Diskhi fell from a height of five feet with the material with which he was killed.

The bride came running to the alarm and seeing the disfigured corpse of her bridegroom, threw herself on the dagger beside him and also fell dead. The famous master died, and the fatal tower is still called Diskhi-woo.

As part of the work plan, employees of the Jeirakh-Assinsk Museum-Reserve are holding preventive talks with schoolchildren about developing a careful attitude to the republic's historical and cultural monuments.

A little higher than where the Armkhi River flows into the Terek, at the intersection of the Daryal and Jeyrakhov gorges, at the end of the last century a graceful 5-story watchtower with a rectangular base, flat roof and high parapet stood on a rock. It reached a height of 23.00 meters. Here armed warriors of the surrounding tower settlements alternately performed guard duty, controlling the vital trade and transportation highway. And as soon as enemies appeared in the Daryal Gorge, the guards would light a fire on the tower, and the rising smoke would let people know about the approaching danger. Now only separate stone blocks of the base of the tower have been preserved.

The substantial folklore and ethnographic information about it was collected by N.F. Ustvolskaya, and later by I.A. Dakhkilgov and D.Y. Chakhkiev.

And here is what is written about this tower in Ingush legend.

Not far from this watchtower, where Ezminskoye Lake is now, there was a strong fortress where many people lived. There was also a large army in that fortress.

Once an untold army of steppe warriors appeared in the gorge. The watchtower was alerted to the approaching danger. The men of authority decided that the people of the fortress must either defeat the enemy or perish. And they also decided: “If it happens that all our warriors die and the enemy wins, women should throw themselves and their children into the abyss, and girls should marry into the fire.

- And what should we who have lost our strength do? - asked the decrepit old men.

- You must pass around a bowl of poison,” they were told, ”drink it while making toasts.

The battle began. The fighters didn't know day or night. The children burned large pine beams at night so that they could see their enemies better. The battle was so bloody that the bodies of the enemies flooded the Terek and it went out of its banks. None of the defenders of the fortress survived.

All women and children threw themselves into the abyss and perished at its bottom. The old men sat in a circle and drank a bowl of poison. The girls made a big fire, chose Myalha Azu and started throwing themselves into the fire. Jumping into the fire the girls said that they were marrying him.

The remaining enemies destroyed all their towers to the ground. Of the inhabitants, no one was left alive.

(N.D. Kodzoev, R.H. Buzurtanov. Tales of the Caucasus).

The mountain “Myat-Loam” is indigenous to Ingushetia and literally translates from Ingush as “motherland mountain” or fatherland mountain. According to linguistic and ethnographic studies, the word “Myat” means motherland, and loam means mountain. And the name table appeared because the mountain belongs to the category of rocks with flat tops resembling a table.

Mait-Loam is a symbol of Ingushetia, it is depicted on the coat of arms of the Republic of Ingushetia, to the left of the combat tower.

Mait-Loam is the only peak in the whole world on which three shrines are consecutively located. Two more shrines located on its summit, “Suson Dyala” - the patron saint of noble women, was destroyed in 1925 and “Myater Dyala” - the throne of the gods, also has not survived to this day.

Myat-Loam - is the patron saint of agriculture and fertility, in whose honor the temple of Myat-seli was built.

Myat-Seli - a monument of history and culture of federal significance - bears the name of the mountain “Maьt” and not vice versa, because on its top there are other sanctuaries, the names of which are not borrowed from any topographical names.

The “Mait-Seli” temple had the significance of one of the most important Ingush patrons. In the Middle Ages, our ancestors believed that the sanctuaries of “Tamyzh-Yerda”, “Amgali-Yerda”, and Myat-Seli were siblings, of which Myat-Seli was the eldest.

One of the last priests who performed ritual prayers on the Table Mountain was Elmurza Mehdiyev from the village of Falkhan. He is also mentioned by I. Bazorkin in his novel-epic “From the Darkness of Ages”.

The rites around the sanctuary were completed by the end of the 19th century, due to the mass adoption of Islam by the Ingush.

Every year, since 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, National Policy, Press and Information, as part of respect for the traditions and culture of our ancestors, has been organizing ascents to Table Mountain.

On the southern slope of the mountain there are cave-type rock structures. All the structures will be included in the list of historical and cultural monuments of Ingushetia with official names.

In the vicinity of the village of Morch, one can find the foundation stones of the eighteenth-century core-shaped mausoleum Yarych-Kash (Yarych's Grave), built over the grave of a brave leader of the local military detachment named Yarych.

In 1944 the mausoleum was destroyed. Folk memory preserves narratives (Anthology of Ingush folklore. Vol. 7. Ingush legends) associated with this hero, in particular, emphasizing his courage: "Yerezhev Yarazh stood at a post and guarded people from the attack of robbers, who usually captured and sold people. When Yerezhev Yarazh stood on the post, people slept peacefully, because they knew that he was vigilantly guarding them. When it was time for Yarazh to leave his post and rest at home, seven men were put on guard duty instead of him, because he was such a remarkable man.

On the territory of the tower complex “Tiarsh” revealed previously unaccounted for monuments of architecture.

These days the staff of the museum-reserve, within the framework of the plan of works on revealing and accounting of previously unaccounted architectural monuments, on the territory of the tower complex “Tiarsh” revealed an early unaccounted early Muslim cemetery with 9 steles.

Ta'rsh is a large tower village of castle type, located on the spur of the Ma't Loam mountain, 0.9 km east of the “Egenta” complex.

The staff of the institution took measurements of the objects and made photo-fixation. The height of steles is from 30 to 50 cm, the distance between them is from 1 to 3 meters. After the relevant works, the objects will be included in the list of identified objects of cultural heritage of the Republic.

Acting Director of the State Cultural Institution “Jeirakh-Assinsk Museum-Reserve” A.A. Sampiev took part in a videoconference meeting held in the Ministry of Culture of Russia on the disposal of objects of cultural heritage included in the treasury of the Russian Federation, which are in unsatisfactory condition, including objects located in the territory of the Republic of Ingushetia, namely 859 ancestral towers, transferred to the free use of SCU RI “Jeyrakhsko-Assinsky Museum-Reserve”.

The event was held in pursuance of the instruction of the Government of the Russian Federation from July 27, 2024 № MM-P 14-24263 on the inventory of federal property in unsatisfactory condition.

Head of the Territorial Department of the Federal Agency for State Property Management in the Republic of Ingushetia M.A. Gagiev, Head of the Committee for State Protection of Cultural Heritage T.U. Kodzoev also participated in the meeting on behalf of our republic.

Mountainous Ingushetia never ceases to amaze us with its discoveries and its mystery. As we noted earlier, there are over 3,000 cultural heritage sites in the territory of the Jeirakhsky district, which are officially registered and included in the list of identified cultural heritage sites of the Republic of Ingushetia. We also have photographs of these objects in our database.

Almost every day our employees working in the mountainous terrain discover new objects that are absent from our lists.

Not so long ago we started a comprehensive work on inventory of antiquity monuments, and it should be noted, the effectiveness and fruitfulness of this work: only last year inspectors of the museum-reserve was found more than 200 OCN, which are not registered.

Separate work was carried out on crypts with memorial chambers, crypts of rare type, towers, sanctuaries and core mausoleums. These objects were monitored and acts of their technical condition were drawn up.

As a result of the last round, the head of the department for the preservation of monuments, Zyaudin Gurazhev, discovered a sanctuary with a memorial chamber, popularly called ts1uv, on the territory of the tower complex “Niy”.

The object is strongly destroyed, its safety is 25-30 %. As at all similar sanctuaries, the entrance to a memorial chamber is from the southern side, it is half-destroyed. The roof is not preserved, usually such kinds of buildings had a gable-stepped roof. The more preserved part of the object is the first tier, intended for the burial of the dead. The sanctuary is located in the northwestern part of the complex, at a distance of 4 meters from the dwelling tower, next to a small stream.

The object will be entered into the database of the institution and included in the list of identified objects of cultural heritage of the Republic of Ingushetia.

Today, as part of the All-Russian Subbotnik, employees of the Jeyrakh-Assinsk Museum-Reserve and the Committee for State Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites carried out sanitary measures to clean the adjacent territory of the office building in Magas city, and a subbotnik was carried out in the mountainous area.

Employees of the institutions trimmed trees, worked to control unwanted vegetation, collected and removed garbage from the territories.

We hope that our small contribution to the common cause of improvement and cleaning of adjacent territories will improve the condition of our region.

The photos show the core-shaped mausoleum in Lower Jeyrakh in the 1940s and today. Time is one of the natural factors of destruction and deformation of monuments, including climate, water, wind, sun, soil movement and natural phenomena.

To date, 12 core-shaped mausoleums of varying degrees of preservation have been recorded in mountainous Ingushetia.

Mausoleums, unlike crypts, were built not before, but only after the death of a person and erected them, according to historians, in honor of noble, prominent people.

In these days, the staff of the museum-reserve made a round of this monument and photofixation of its current state.

These days, the staff of the museum-reserve, within the framework of the work plan for visual inspection of the technical condition of the object of cultural heritage with photo-fixation of the object of cultural heritage with visual changes in the structure, in accordance with the schedule of rounds, monitored the core-shaped mausoleum of the architectural complex “Tyarsh”.

The object has a round base and cone-shaped top with a crowning spire, located 75 meters east of the towers.

The height of the monument is 3.40 meters, on the south-western side there is a trapezoidal shaped trapdoor.

Employees of the “Archaeological Center named after E.I. Krupnov” note that the burial chamber of the mausoleum contained the remains of 9-10 deceased (partly in wooden coffins), as well as a variety of belongings. At the base of the chamber a stone box with a rectangular shape with slightly convex long sides was built on lime mortar. Its edges go under the base of the masonry walls of the mausoleum, which clearly indicates the sequence of construction of the monument. The stone box is oriented along the line NW-SE. The burial inventory allows to date it not earlier than the end of the XVII century.

The mausoleum was permanently investigated by R.A. Dautova in 1982. Restoration works were carried out on the monument.

In the course of work on the preservation and registration of cultural heritage objects of mountainous Ingushetia, the staff of the Jeyrakh-Assinsk Museum-Reserve together with specialists of complex architectural and restoration projects of ACM GROUP have revealed previously unknown cyclopean structures - constructions made of huge unhewn stone blocks of mortarless horizontal masonry, ancient stone dwellings.

Cyclopean structures are evidence of the existence of an ancient civilization that existed in Ingushetia long before written history.

It should be noted that the question of dating of cyclopean structures has been debated among scientists for many years. The problem of dating of megalithic structures is as urgent today as before.

L.P. Semenov and E.I. Krupnov, after studying the remains of megalithic buildings in the Ingush villages of Khamkhi, Egikal, Doshkhakle, concluded that these cyclopean houses - fortresses belong to the era of the Scythians, i.e. VII-V centuries BC. “when there were strong clan foundations and all buildings were erected by the efforts of numerous members of the clan”.

Two Cyclopean buildings were recorded at the Niy complex and their coordinates were determined.

Earlier, the work on revealing and accounting of cyclopean structures was carried out on tower complexes: Upper and Middle Ozik, Doshkhakle, Keli, Khart, Targim, Egikal, Tori, Barkhan.

They will subsequently be publicly recorded and mapped.

On the way from the tower settlements of Metskhal to Garakh, half a kilometer east of Falhan, there are 4 steles on the crest of the hill. This place is still called so by the people: "Di1 churt dag1ach".

Noteworthy is the fact that, despite the apparent similarity, the steles have different heights from 1 to 1.6 meters. Interestingly, one of the steles shows the remains of a carved drawing in the form of a tower and elements of ornamentation. There are also remnants of Arabic ligature.

According to legends, in the old days, the inhabitants of the surrounding villages considered this place to be fertile. Here the inhabitants of neighboring settlements used to gather for reconciliation of parties and solution of socially important issues.

A little farther from the steles, towards Metskhal, there is a lonely grave of an old woman healer from Garakh, a member of the Janiev family. It is said that despite the persuasions of her relatives to be buried in the family cemetery, she willed to be buried here, because of the grace of this place.

Monitoring of the Targim coreshaped mausoleum.

In these days, the staff of the museum-reserve, as part of the work plan, monitored the Targim core mausoleum.

According to the Ingush legends, the monument was erected over the tomb of a local warlord hero in the second half of the XVIII century. The mausoleum was first noted by L.P. Semyonov and I.P. Shcheblykin.

The mausoleum has a rounded base and a domed-stepped covering. In the upper part of the walls can be seen plaster of white-yellow color. The monument is built on lime mortar; the masonry of the walls is polygonal, the preserved height is 3.20 meters, on the southern wall there is a single rectangular shaped barred doorway.

The monument requires restoration work.

Two shelter towers are built in caves on the steep mountainside of the Rocky Range, above the Metskhal and Garak tower complexes.

One shelter tower is higher than the other, and in the past enclosed a large cave. Now most of the wall has collapsed.

The tower stands adjacent to steep cliffs, the masonry of the walls is polygonal, on which the remains of ochre paint can be seen, there is a huge niche inside, and an observation window on the preserved wall.

There is also an interesting detail - stone steps leading into the cave.

As is known, the towers had the function of shelter during enemy raids, and during punitive expeditions old men, women and children were sheltered in them.

The staff of the museum-reserve monitored the temple-sanctuary “Kog-Yerda”, located on the southern edge of the tower settlement “Kog”, which is east of “Keli”.

According to the radiocarbon analysis conducted by the archaeological center named after E.I. Krupnov of the republic. E.I. Krupnov of the Republic in 2017, this monument was built in 1441-1486 .

The sanctuary temple is a one-storey building with a rectangular base and a gable-stepped roof made of 10 slates, the thickness of the walls is 60 cm, the area at the base is about 16 square meters. m.

The southern wall is preserved 5 meters high and 3.5 meters wide. The northern wall is 2 meters high and adjoins the rock. A low vaulted doorway is in the eastern wall, near the southeastern corner, and there is a small rectangular niche above the doorway. There is a window aperture in the south wall.

The walls are covered with yellowish-ochre colored plaster on the outside and inside.

The monument is erected neatly on lime mortar. The building was actively functioning until our century.

Despite the fact that the monument has been preserved to its full height, its condition is unsatisfactory: the roof is damaged, the base is weathered, there are cracks on the walls (field material).

Doshkhakle temple-sanctuary, located in the western part of the tower settlement "Doshkhakle".

The monument was discovered, introduced into scientific turnover and subjected to archaeological excavations by M.B. Muzhukhoev in 1979-1980 , dated XIV-XV centuries.

The sanctuary is a very original building with narrow entrances, it is attached to the rock, has three chambers. On the other side of the temple was a large annex with a separate entrance. To our days only the base of this annex has been preserved.

Inside the monument there are bones and horns of sacrificial and wild animals. The walls are wide, with small caches and niches. The object is half-destroyed, the roof is not preserved.

The last monitoring of the monument by the staff of the Jeirakh-Assy Museum-Reserve was conducted by the end of April this year, during which its unsatisfactory condition was also noted.

The employees of the museum-reserve monitored the cult monument “Sampai-Chug”, which is located 200 meters southwest of the Tsurovs combat tower of the Upper Jeyrakh tower complex.

The structure is rectangular (2.90 x 2.50 meters). The structure originally had a gable-stepped (slate) roof. In the center of its front northern wall there was a vaulted doorway. The sanctuary chamber had a false vaulted construction. Arches were absent at all. In walls of a chamber small rectangular niches were observed. The cult building is erected not very neatly, on a lime mortar. The masonry of the walls is polygonal, approaching to ordinal. Archaeological clearing of the temple-sanctuary was carried out by M.B.Muzhekhoev in 1981. As a result, numerous bones and horns of sacrificial animals, arrowheads were found here. The cult building was dedicated to the patron saint of the hearth (Chakhkiev D.Y. Antiquities of mountainous Ingushetia).

The employees of the museum-reserve measured the object and made photo-fixation.

Today the temple-sanctuary is in unsatisfactory condition. The roof is not preserved. The maximum height of the preserved walls is 1.20 meters. The area at the base is 7.25 square meters. The thickness of walls from 55 to 60 cm (field material).

The medieval Olgeti temple-sanctuary “Itaz-Yerda” today. View from inside and outside.

One of the largest temples-sanctuaries of mountainous Ingushetia, is located to the south of the village of Olgeti, on the right bank of the stream of the Olgeti gorge.

It is located within the boundaries of the territory of the Jeyrakhsko-Assinsky Museum-Reserve.

Another temple-sanctuary in Doshkhakle (Doshkhakle's 2nd temple-sanctuary).

It is located 300 meters from the combat tower on a low hill across the mountain stream.

The length of the temple - 7 meters, width - 3.9 meters, had a gable-stepped roof.

Inside the building was divided by a slightly projecting arch into 2 parts: east and west.

The structure was built on lime mortar. The masonry of the walls is polygonal.

The monument was first discovered by L. P. Semenov and I. P. Shcheblykin, and it was excavated by M. B. Muzhukhoev in 1974.

Now the object is half-destroyed. Part of the western wall and the roof are destroyed, other walls have cracks. The condition is unsatisfactory.

Temples and sanctuaries of mountainous Ingushetia are unique monuments of ancient Ingush architecture, representing monumental religious cult stone structures, located mainly in the Jeyrakhsky district.

A small late medieval sanctuary with a square base (2.50 x 2.60 m) stands on the crest of a mountain ridge near the village of Kerbite. Earlier the building had a flattened gable-stepped roof. In the center of the front southern wall there was a vaulted doorway. In height the sanctuary reached up to two meters. On the outer side of the western wall there was a rectangular niche. The false vaulted chamber of the construction (1,80m) was covered with massive stone slabs. Two small rectangular niches were observed in the eastern wall of the chamber.

The cult structure was erected carefully, on lime mortar. The masonry of the walls is polygonal, approaching to ordinal. Yellow-white plaster was visible on the outside and inside of the walls. This monument was first noted by L.P.Semenov and I.P.Shcheblykin. Its stationary research, which revealed only bones of sacrificial domestic animals inside the building, was carried out by M.B.Muzhekhoev in 1976 (Chakhkiev D.Yu. Antiquities of mountainous Ingushetia).

The building is one-storied. The width of the southern wall is 2.50 meters. The eastern and western walls are 2.60 meters long, and the northern side is attached to the mountain slope. The thickness of the walls is 55 cm. Today the technical condition of the monument is unsatisfactory, its preservation is 50%, the roof is missing (field material).

Employees of the Jeirakh-Assin Museum-Reserve and the Committee for State Protection of Cultural Monuments conducted a subbotnik on the adjacent territories of the architectural complex “Egikal”, temples “Tkhaba-Yerdy” and “Albi-Yerdy”.

The staff collected household garbage and took it to a specially designated place, also the territory of the complexes was cleaned of deadwood.

The staff of the Jeirakh-Assinsk Museum-Reserve took part in the republican conference “Ethnographic motifs in the works of artist and local historian Khadzhi-Bekir Bachievich Akhriev”, which was held in the mountain village of “Furtoug”.

The conference was organized by the Chakh Akhriyev Ingush Research Institute of Humanities. The event was also attended by the staff of the regional branch of the Association of Anthropologists and Ethnologists of Russia, the Ingush State Museum of Local History named after T. Malsagov and M. Malsagov. T. Malsagov and the G. S. Akhriev Memorial House-Museum, as well as the staff of the regional branch of the Association of Anthropologists and Ethnologists of Russia. G. S. Akhriyev, the Committee for State Protection of OKN RI, the E. I. Krupnov Archaeological Center, the Committee on Tourism of the Republic of Ingushetia, the Memorial Complex for Victims of Repressions, “Heritage” LLC, as well as historians, researchers, public figures and others.

During the event, 20 speakers took the podium. In addition, the audience discussed creative pages from the life of Khadzhi-Bekir Akhriyev and his works in the field of history, ethnography and Ingush culture.

Fariza Karieva, head of the department of scientific propaganda, advertising and publishing activities of the museum-reserve, made a report on the mountain village of Furtoug, which covered the history, the first settlers, the origin of the name, the famous natives, expeditions, the monuments of the complex and the work carried out by the institution to preserve them.

Based on the results of the plenary and breakout sessions, it is planned to prepare and publish a collection of materials on the multifaceted work of Kh.-B. Akhriev, reprint the handwritten album “GIalgIay gIarchosh. 1924” and develop an exhibition project of ornaments, digitize paintings and ethnographic sketches of Kh.-B. Akhriev for free access on the Internet.

In addition, the conference touched upon the possibility of appealing to the Government of RI regarding the inclusion of the monument to G.S. Akhriev in the unified state register of cultural heritage objects (historical and cultural monuments) of the peoples of the Russian Federation.

300 meters northwest of the tower complex “Gadaborsh” there is a medieval building - temple-sanctuary “Dzorakh-Dyala”.

The base is rectangular. Earlier the building had a gable-stepped roof, today it has not survived. There are two doorways in the southern part of the building. In the western wall there are two triangular window openings and another through hole located near the floor. The eastern wall has a window (narrow on the outside, gradually widening inwards) and two small niches. The thickness of the walls is 60 cm.

The monument is original, first of all, for its closed separate room, the purpose of which is unknown. The large room is divided into a vestibule, a temple and an altar.

This cult structure was discovered and described by L.P. Semyonov and I.P. Shcheblykin. Archaeological clearing of its inner area by M.B. Muzhukhoev in 1976 revealed bones of sacrificial animals, arrowheads and knives in the cultural layer.

M.B. Muzhukhoev dated this monument to the XIII century. Today the preservation of the temple-sanctuary is 40%.

Today the Jeyrakh-Assin Museum-Reserve celebrates its 37th anniversary!

The Jeyrakh-Assin State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve was established on June 2, 1988.

By the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the Jeyrakh-Assin Museum-Reserve is included in the list of objects of historical and cultural heritage of federal significance.

The Jeyrakh-Assin Museum-Reserve is located in the Jeyrakh district of Ingushetia - the only mountainous region of the republic and is the largest open-air museum in Russia. On its territory there are over 4000 monuments of antiquity.

The main purpose of the museum-reserve is to protect, preserve and popularize historical and cultural monuments and architectural ensembles of the republic.

The nucleus-shaped mausoleum of “Tovhanti”, a tower estate of the same name, located opposite the “Melleri” complex, on the western slope of the mountain.

The manor consists of 1 two-storey residential tower “Zovr-g1ala”, on the eastern side of which a courtyard is attached and one core-shaped mausoleum, built in the late 18th century and located 15 meters south of the tower. In the southern part of the mausoleum, 20 cm from the ground is a window (45x55 cm).

The condition of the object is satisfactory, there is a partial destruction of the roof top, in the inner part there are traces of ceiling collapse. It has been preserved to its full height.

Mausoleum is a type of funerary structures, monumental memorial ground building.

Nowadays, a mausoleum is a monumental structure with a compartment for storing the remains of the deceased and one or more halls, often used as memorial.

Mausoleums were built not before, but after the death of a person and were erected, as a rule, in honor of major rulers, noble or outstanding, in any field, people.

Different professional level of skill of architects testifies to different periods of construction of mausoleums. It is important to note that, unlike other funerary structures in the North Caucasus, Ingush mausoleums and crypts were built without mortar, and gable and four-pitched roofs were constructed using the false vault technique.

Recently, inspectors of the Jeyrakh-Assinsk Museum-Reserve, accompanied by the head of the border post and three of its employees, made an inspection trip to the previously unrecorded tower complex “Byarch”, located 2 km southwest of the tower settlement “Nyak'ist”, in the closed border zone.

Purpose of the visit: registration, identification, measurement, photo and video recording of cultural heritage objects, as well as description and assessment of their technical condition.

Keli sanctuary is located to the north of Keli settlement and north-west of Kog village, on the southern slope of Tsei-Lam mountain. The building is one-storeyed, half destroyed, rectangular in plan, oriented on a line S-S and earlier had a gable-stepped roof. Thickness of walls 60 cm, masonry polygonal. The sanctuary was discovered and subjected to archaeological excavations by M.B.Muzhekhoev in 1980. Bones of sacrificial animals, arrowheads, earrings, beads and a bell were found inside the sanctuary.

The staff of the museum-reserve, within the framework of the plan of works on identification and registration of previously unrecorded architectural monuments, on the territory of the complex “Nyak'ist” discovered a previously unrecorded ancient monument with the signs of a cultural heritage object.

The revealed object is half-destroyed, located 200 meters south-west of the complex and, presumably, is a sanctuary. As it is known, a sanctuary is a building, premises, which our ancestors used for religious rituals.

The object is made of chiseled gray stone, the thickness of the walls is 50 cm. The preserved height of the walls is from 1.5 m (western wall) to 3 m (south-eastern wall), on the eastern wall there is a doorway - 0.6 m wide and 0.8 m high. The building is one-storeyed, no roof, foundations are present, the area at the base is about 9 square meters. The northern wall is semi-subterranean, the roof was stepped, the sanctuary is located in a dense thicket of woodland, perhaps that is why it has remained so far undiscovered.

Temples-sanctuaries, in distinction from crypt constructions, have doorways. The fact that the preserved building was a sanctuary, say and natives of this complex, who saw it intact in the 50-ies of the last century - after returning from deportation and noted that there were household items, as well as horns and bones of sacrificial animals.