Pages: 467-474

The brief overview of the current studies on Qirq Yer discussed here demonstrates that, in spite of all academic attempts, a number of questions regarding history of this place in 13th—15th centuries are still unanswered. The suggested dates for the Mongol conquest of the town in 13^th century (1238, 1260, 1298/99) or 14^th century (1342—1363) are not supported by archaeological evidence. No real sources of 13^th—15^th centuries are known to witness presence of Yashlau beys and Kudulak family (clan) in the Crimea. Not even khan’s yarlyks of 1459 and 1468 released to the residents of Qirq Yer mention them. All along this period between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries, no “Alan” or “Tartar” name of a prince of Qirq Yer is known, nor there is any information of whatever ‘principality’ that existed here. Hence, there are no grounds to discuss existence of a certain Kirkel principality in 13^th—15^th centuries.

Keywords: Golden Horde, Jochi’s Ulus, Crimean Khanate, 13^th—18^th centuries, Kirkel Principality (Qirq Yer Principality), Qirq Yer, Chufut-Kale, Yashlau beys, Sarimambas-Kermen

Information about author:

Victor Mytz (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. State Hermitage Museum. Zausadebnaya St. 37, Saint Petersburg, 197183, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]