Gaidukov M.P.

Key words: early Rus, history of fortification, architectural elements, Veliky Novgorod, Okolny (outer) circle, earthworks, moats, stone towers, gates, portcullis.
The article is devoted to Novgorod stone towers from the late 14th c. (the towers existed from 1391 to 1502), which were an element of the Okolny (outer) circle around Veliky Novgorod. The article uses published and unpublished material from architectural and archaeological investigations, written sources and the author’s recent (2009–2010) archaeological investigations at two of the towers. The author gives a comparative analysis of the main structureal features and architectural elements using data from several of the excavated towers, and identifies similar edifices in neighboring regions and in Central and Western Europe.