Pages: 443-462

Multinational population of the Golden Horde towns used to practice various religions. To a certain extent, this diversity may be traced in the material culture of Ukek. Islamic necropolises and occasional cult-related items are indicative of the large number of Muslims and of their presence in the town as early as in the 13th century. Some Mordovians could have been islamized. The objects of the Christian cult are concentrated mostly in the southern part of the settlement, in the whereabouts of the Christian quarter. Substantial amounts of the Old Russian ceramics are encountered there, minor amounts of Mordovian and Italian pottery occur invariably. Items associated with pagan rites are scarce. Those are dated back not just to the 13th century, but to the second half of the 14th century, as well. Small amount of the Old Russian and Mordovian crockery and ceramics of the Finno-Ugrians from the Kama region was found in various parts of the town.

Keywords: Volga Region, Ukek, Golden Horde town, Christians, Muslims, pagans, Russians, Mordovians, Italians, necropolises, churches, mausoleums, bath-houses, amulets, ongons, ceramics, seals

Information about author:

Dmitry Kubankin. Saratov Regional Museum of Local Lore. Lermontov St., 34, Saratov, 410000, Russian Federation.
E-mail: [email protected]