Pages: 153-170

The article discusses two main problems in the archeology of the Lower Volga in 8th—10th centuries — the question of the ethnicity of the region’s population and the question of the location of the last capital of the Khazar Khaganate — the city of Itil. A review of all the known burials of this time shows that they are concentrated in the Volga delta in burial sites on Baer mounds in its northern, western and northeastern parts of the delta. They are made in pits with steps and niches-caches in the walls. The buried are oriented with their heads to the west, in most burials elements of the rite of neutralization of the deceased are traced. Funerary food and other equipment is located behind the head of the buried.
Also, the hypothesis of the localization of the capital of the Khazar Khaganate on Samosdelskoye settlement is put forward. The idea is supported by its location on an island, divided into several parts by channels, presence of a burnt brick fortress, inside which there are yurt-shaped dwellings, its ceramics of the 9th — 10th centuries and radiocarbon analysis data.

Keywords: Khazar Khaganate, Lower Volga region, Early Middle Ages, funerary rite, barrows, soil burial grounds, capital, planigraphy, fortress, yurt- shaped dwellings, ceramic complex, radiocarbon analyzes

Information about authors:

Emma Zilivinskaya (Moscow, Russian Federation). Doctor of Historical Sciences. N. N. Miklukho-Maklai Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences. Lenin Ave., 32a, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Dmitry Vasiliev (Astrakhan, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Astrakhan State University. Tatishchev St., 20a, Astrakhan, 414056, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]