Material traces by the Cumans in the Bulgarian lands (the late 11th to mid-13th cc.): problems of study

Abstract

The article introduces material evidence and retraces the processes of the Cumans penetration and settling in the territory of Danube Bulgaria in the period between their first appearance in the late 11th century and their gradual cultural integration into the medieval Bulgarian nationality in the second half of the 13th century. The historical path of the Cumans to the Bulgarian lands has been traced back; archaeological sites left by them in the region, which are not numerous, have been specified. Their cultural specificity has been traced mainly by funeral rite peculiarities and certain types of jewelry. It is alleged that the Cumans as a compact ethnic mass with its own culture had not existed for a lengthy period of time, being rather quickly assimilated by the local environment after settling. Starting second half of the 13th century, their material traces are difficult to distinguish from the general Golden Horde period ones. The necessity of developing a systematic and detailed compendium of finds related to the late nomads in the 11-13-century Bulgarian lands is emphasized.

Keywords

• the Balkans
• Danube Bulgaria
• the late nomads the Cumans
• assimilation
• Christianization
• funerary monuments