Pages: 379-412

The article presents the results of the first studies on one of the early Mongol towns in Eastern Europe — the Golden Horde Bilyar. Rescue excavations on the site were carried out by the expedition of Kazan State University in 1994—1998. The researchers established that the town originated from scratch, almost out of touch with the pre-Mongol cultural tradition. The rich material culture of the site illustrates the initial stage in cultural development of the Golden Horde in the Middle Volga region, and its main ethno-cultural components based on pottery and stucco ceramics. Highly artistic works illustrate the conquerors’ progress into the Middle Volga area. Products by masters from Central Asia and the Middle East, together with numismatics data, specify the period of existence of this town: 1240s — first half of the 14th century.

Keywords: Golden Horde, Bilyar town, Golden Horde Bilyar, 1240s — middle of the 14th century, material culture, ceramics

Information about author:

Svetlana Valiulina. Candidate of Historical Sciences. Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University. Kremlevskaya St., 18, Kazan, 420008, Russian Federation.
E-mail: [email protected]