Tal I — an archaeological site of the medieval principality of Emder

Abstract

The paper reports on the materials of the settlement of Tal I located on the Endyr River, left tributary of the Ob River. Remains of two medieval dwellings, which appeared at different times, have been discovered at the settlement, and also data have been obtained on episodical visits to this place in the Early Iron Age. The burnedout dwellings overlapped each other but they had common features: they were lit and heated by open hearths, whilst the bases of the walls were strengthened with split blocks, of which the grooves have preserved along the perimeter of the pits. The main collection of finds is associated with the early dwelling, which dates to the Kintus stage of the Middle Ages (late 11th — 12th c.). To this time belongs the pottery of the Kintus period (Rachyevo type), cult ceramic piece of plastic arts, crucibles and smelting ladles for working with non-ferrous metals, some items made of iron and non-ferrous metals, animal bones, and other artefacts. To the Medieval period also belong iron slags and clay coating of bloomery furnaces, indicating work of loop-blacksmiths. Therefore, there is no basis for classifying the studied settlement as one of seasonal hunting-fishing sites. The settlement of Tal I was incorporated in a medieval principality (chiefdom) with the centre in the town of Emder (Western Siberia, Lower Ob River basin). From the written sources, it is known that it lost its independence by the end of the 16th century, before the territory was annexed by the Muscovite state, becoming part of the Koda principality as the tributary Emdyrskaya Volost.

Keywords

• tal i settlement
• emder town
• principality
• chiefdom
• the middle age
• north of the western siberia