2018, vol. 6, no. 3. Rudenko K.A.

2018, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 472-488

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2018-6-3.472-488

   ON THE RELATIONS OF VOLGA BULGARIA
AND THE BULGAR ULUS OF THE GOLDEN HORDE
WITH IRAN IN THE 10TH–14TH CENTURIES
(ACCORDING TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIALS)

K.A Rudenko
The Kazan State Institute of Culture
Kazan, Russian Federation
murziha@mail.ru

Abstract: Objective: To study international trade, economic ties and cultural relations of Volga Bulgaria and the Bulgar Ulus of the Golden Horde with Iran; to identify the features and dynamics of these relations in the 10th–14th centuries.

Research materials: The main sources are archaeological artifacts obtained as a result of excavations in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. These are items made of metal, ceramics and glass. Among them there are unique artifacts made using rare technologies, as well as metal vessels encrusted with copper and silver.
Results and novelty of the research: The author for the first time ever comprehensively analyzed the archeological artifacts that testify to the relations of Volga Bulgaria and the Bulgar Ulus of the Golden Horde with Iran. He identified the most important groups of artifacts characterizing them, including unique pieces made of “white bronze”. It was established that the products of Iranian artisans played a significant role in the cultural life and art of Volga Bulgaria and the Bulgar Ulus of the Golden Horde. They were copied, sometimes being transformed to local tastes and traditions. Bulgarian products were created on the base of many Iranian handicraft products. From the tenth to the twelfth century, Nishapur was the main city of Iran with which the Bulgars had trade and cultural contacts. In the twelfth–thirteenth century, the trade of the Bulgars was conducted mainly with the Iranian cities situated in the Khorasan area. After the Mongol conquests, the population of the Bulgarian region of the Golden Horde resumed contacts with Khorasan from the end of the thirteenth century. However, imports were limited to a small number of expensive products. These were artware and jewelry. The main importer of sought-after Iranian goods was the capital of the Bulgar Ulus of the Golden Horde – the city of Bulgar.

Keywords: Volga Bulgaria, Golden Horde, Khorasan, Iran, medieval metalwork, medieval ceramics, Bulgar

For citation: Rudenko K.A. On the Relations of Volga Bulgaria and the Bulgar Ulus of the Golden Horde with Iran in the 10th–14th centuries (according to archaeological materials). Zolotoordynskoe obozrenie=Golden Horde Review. 2018, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 472–488. DOI: 10.22378/2313-6197.2018-6-3.472-488

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About the author: Konstantin A. Rudenko – Dr. Habil. (History), Professor, Kazan State Institute of Culture, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4067-9287 (3, Orenburg tract, Kazan 420059, Russian Federation). E-mail: murziha@mail.ru

Received  May 15, 2018   Accepted for publication  August 29, 2018
Published online September 29, 2018