The Present State of Bohai Studies in Russia

Abstract

The paper discusses the latest achievements in the study of Bohai State (698-926) in the Far East of Russia over the last decade. Along with archaeological studies, historical research was also carried out in this period, including the translation of Chinese historical sources. A study of archaeological sites with multidisciplinary research has resulted in a substantial increase of the amount of information about the economy of Bohai people, their culture, domestic and international trade relations. It becomes more and more obvious that the territory of Primorye was in the periphery of the Bohai state, and it was gradually developed by the state during the entire period of its existence. The weakening of Bohai at the end of the 9th century had led to a situation when the local and district centers of Bohai power over local Mohe population having formed in the lands of various peoples – Shuaibin, Yulou, Tieli, etc. – became centers of a new incipient statehood as these peoples with gaining independence.

Keywords

• archaeology
• history
• far east of russia
• middle ages
• bohai state
• mohe
• multidisciplinary research