Social Topography of the Golden Horde Bolgar in the Works by A.P. Smirnov and according to the Results of New Studies

Abstract

The study of the social topography of medieval Bolgar has been one of the important directions since the beginning of systematic archaeological works in 1938. During the work of the archaeological expedition led by A.P. Smirnov, there was accumulation of the material and data on the social topography of Bolgar. The locations of various handicraft complexes were recorded, the concentration of ceramics of various ethnic-cultural groups was noted. To characterize the Bolgar sites A.P. Smirnov and his followers used terminology more typical for Russian medieval urban settlements («posad», «sloboda»). Attempts to single out city blocks because of craft specialization did not bring noticeable results. Nowadays, with the use of a wide range of objects of material culture, objects of monumental architecture and the features of residential buildings, as well as application of the data on the location of craft complexes, the size of estates, it is possible to allocate at least four large craft districts for the Golden Horde Bolgar: trade and craft district, the area beyond the Melenka river with metallurgical and pottery industries, the area of metallurgical production at the Black Chamber, and the pottery district by the Gollandskoye lake. The districts existed simultaneously just in the first half of the XIV century. The urban periphery in the western and southern parts was occupied by large estates. They could belong to the local feudal elite. The historical core of the city, on the site of the pre-Mongol citadel, can be associated with the administrative center of Bolgar of the Golden Horde period. Administrative functions could also be performed by residents in the area around the Мaly minaret (Small Minaret).

Keywords

• archaeology
• middle volga
• golden horde
• medieval city
• craft
• urban district