Amber Pendant-Seal With Arabic Inscription From Suvar Fortified Settlement

Abstract

The work was aimed at the study of an amber seal pendant with a benevolent Arabic inscription, which was found during the operation of A.P. Smirnov’s expedition in 1935 in the territory of Suvar fortified settlement. Stationary studies of a large Bolgar city were initially organized and conducted in 1933-1937. The remains of defensive fortifications, hills in the center of the fortified settlement, “mud houses” and wooden log cabins, granaries, a brick building representing the remains of an architectural complex, and two burial grounds were studied. The finds from the cultural layer are numerous and diverse: ceramic material, tools, household items and jewelry, including glass and stone beads and pendants. Collections of materials from these excavations are deposited at the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan (Kazan) and the State Historical Museum (Moscow). This type of amber seal pendant is a rare find for any site. In general, items with epigraphic inscrip­tions are few and of great scientific interest.

Keywords

• archaeology
• volga bolgaria
• suvar fortified settlement
• arabic inscription
• amber
• pendant-seal