Results of research on development of complex techniques of chemical, petrographic, Xray phase and X-ray diffraction methods of medieval lime mortars studying are presented in the article. 12 samples from New Afon, Abkhazia and one from v. Khoy, Chechnya, have been studied. Results of analyses have confirmed estimated dates of the second defense line of Anacopia fortress foundation within 570-580 y., reconstruction of Gate tower in 910-930 y. and entrance gate-the 950th y. The analysis of lime mortars from screen church near Anacopia (Akuach's temple) has given time of 650-680 y. Has been revealed that gate in citadel wall have been constructed at the end of II in AD, western tower of a citadel-680-690 y., reconstruction of the temple of Feodor has been made in 910-930 y. Data of results of a complex research of lime mortars are supported by the documents of the Roman period (2nd century AD), the Byzantine period of the end of the 6th century, construction activity of Abkhazian archonstsars in the VII-X centuries. In comparison, tower in village Khoy was built in 11 с. The offered methods of researches allow to reconsidering the developed approaches to studying of limy mortars and their dating. Keywords-Byzantine architecture and building technology; dating methods of architectural heritage objects I.

Results of research on development of complex techniques of chemical, petrographic, Xray phase and X-ray diffraction methods of medieval lime mortars studying are presented in the article. 12 samples from New Afon, Abkhazia have been studied. Results of analyses have confirmed estimated dates of the second defense line of Anacopia fortress foundation within 570-580 y., reconstruction of Gate tower in 910 – 930 y. and entrance gate – the 950th y. The analysis of lime mortars from screen church near Anacopia (Akuach’s temple) has given time of 650-680 y. Has been revealed that gate in citadel wall have been constructed at the end of II in AD, western tower of a citadel – 680-690 y., reconstruction of the temple of Feodor has been made in 910-930 y. Data of results of a complex research of lime mortars are supported by the documents of the Roman period (2nd century AD), the Byzantine period of the end of the 6th century, construction activity of Abkhazian archons-tsars in the VII-X centuries. The offered methods of researches allow to reconsider the developed approaches to studying of limy mortars and their dating.

The article highlights the Abasgians Christianization processes started by Byzantium in the VI century and their interaction with the Abasgians mythology. However, the traditional mythological representations and beliefs of the Abasgians were not supplanted by Christianity, as well as by the ancient philosophy. The topography of the early church buildings on the territory of Anacopia and its surroundings shows that in the church buildings the Abasgian people preserved the ancient system of sacred places and their landscape-visual connections. The sacred meaning of Anacopia has been stably maintained for millennia, but has undergone transformations. According to a complex of sources, it was concluded that the sacred (cultural) significance of this place was the basis of the worshipers’ power over their fellow tribesmen; religious and political center around which a system of sacred topography had been formed up to the time of the Abkhazian kingdom.

The performed research aims at revealing the functional use and initial location of a part of the objects of architectonic plastic arts, most of which decorated the early medieval Christian structures in the fortress complex of Anacopia, and also at revealing historic and cultural links with the neighboring regions of the Byzantine Oecumene: North Caucasus and the Crimea. In the first half of the 10th century the temple was reconstructed due to the new liturgical rules, accepted in Constantinople in the 9th century. It was still devoted to Our Lady, but during the reconstruction appear new facade finish, a par of which is preserved in two entrance portals. After the reconstruction also appeared a dome and a dome drum, and, according to the new features of liturgy which appeared in the Byzantine Empire at the end of the 9th century. The appearance of ornamental intertwined designs near the borders of the kingdom of Abkhazia shows that Abkhazian kings took part in the Christianisation of Alania. Technical similarity is a proof of the existence in the 10th century of a system of united cultural space included into the Byzantine Oecumene.

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