In 2008 the excavations of the Chaika Hillfort were conducted to discover the Greek layer and construction remains of the earlier periods of the settlement’s existence (second half of the IVth century BC). The work concentrated mostly in the central part of the hillfort, westwards of the western defensive wall of the Greek fortification. A total area of 300 sq. meters was uncovered. As a result, four construction sub-periods were distinguished.
Most of the structures were dwellings. In one of them the following was found: a tiled area, a fractional amphora from Chersoneses, a fragment of pithos wall. Inside another room there was a rectangular wall made of stones and a clay table. Inside the third room the archaeologists revealed a semi-circular stone wall and steps, which may mean that there was an upper storey.
Eastwards of the rooms there was an open area, which was bounded by the wall in its southern part. In the third sub-period a number of rooms were additionally constructed in a way abutting this wall.
In the fourth sub-period the eastern row of rooms was extended by dismantling the old wall and building a new one. Then, on this area, one more building was constructed, thus enclosing a narrow street.
After the destruction of the Greek fortification the rooms located along the western defensive wall were dismantled. The stones were used to level the surface, which was further covered with crushed stones. Later on this area was used as a yard for a second house. Judging by the stamps on the amphora handles and fragments of black-glazed ceramics found here, the whole complex of the homestead is dated to the middle IVth or to the beginning of the III century BC.
In the center of the hillfort archaeologists continued investigating the plot where a smithy was found. A rectangular pit was also uncovered here. It was filled with burnt layer with lots of iron clinkers, bronze and iron items. The pit was overlain by two levels of stones attributed to the times of the Greek fortification (second half of the IVth century BC).
To the west of the Late-Scythian settlement the researchers studied the layers which preceded the Late-Scythian ash-pit. They are assumed to be formed in the late IVth – late IIIrd century BC.
In this season works in the northern part of the Late-Scythian settlement continued. In 1970s archaeologists had examined rooms identified as the towers. They flanked the entrance to the settlement. In 2008 a part of the northern defensive wall was found. Its base was higher than the initial wall. It is suggested, that in the first period the entrance to the settlement was situated there.
To the south of the probable entrance – on the level attributed to the second period of the Late-Scythian settlement’s existence, a round building was uncovered, which was represented by several layers of stone masonry covered with clay. The earthen floor of the building consisted of a layer of dense clay. In the center there was a rise with a hollow in the middle. Probably, the building was used for industrial purposes.