A groundbreaking archaeological discovery in southern Russia is stirring excitement across the global academic community, as researchers believe they may have uncovered the long-lost medieval city of Magas — once the capital of the powerful Alanian state.
The discovery was made in the Chechen Republic, part of the North Caucasus, during extensive excavations at the Mayrtup burial ground. What initially began as a rescue archaeology project tied to infrastructure development has evolved into what experts are calling one of the most significant historical finds in the region in decades.
According to Russian archaeologists, the site spans approximately 350 hectares, making it the largest known medieval settlement ever identified in the North Caucasus. The sheer scale of the complex, combined with a wealth of artifacts—including coins and burial structures—suggests that this was not merely a settlement, but a major fortified urban center.