Nikolai Makarov

This paper provides the data on the size of the towns of Northeast Rus in the 11th - the first half of the 13th century AD elaborated from the record of recent fieldwork. The methodology of distinguishing urban territories including not only the fortified part of a settlement but the areas with occupation deposit outside the fortifications identified as a result of fieldwork as well is discussed. The size of urban territories of the second half of the 12th - the first half of the 13th century AD varies from 4-7 (Yaropolch and Gorokho-vets) to 90-200 (Gorodets Radilov, Vladimir and Rostov) ha. The total area with occupation deposit of the 12th - 13th century recorded by fieldwork in the towns of Northeast Rus occupies about 840 ha. Given the imperfection of the archaeological record, the number may be changed to 1200-1300 ha. The new materials substantiate the observation that the second half of the 12th - early 13th century AD saw the urbanization of Northeast Rus involving a considerable increase in the number of towns, the expansion of urban territories and the formation of specific cultural traditions alien to rural settlements.