The Archaeology of Volga Bulgaria in the 10th to Early 13th Centuries

"This book focuses on Volga Bulgaria (10th to early 13th centuries), the only Muslim state in Eastern Europe before 1300. For several centuries, it operated as a bridge between the Christian West and the Muslim East. As such, it is widely believed that the colossal transit of oriental silver coin through the state was the foundation of the Bulgar economy while Islam consolidated statehood in the Middle Volga region. Drawing on the rich archaeological record, Konstantin Rudenko argues against this view, demonstrating that the Bulgar culture was instead formed on the basis of its own resources. The Bulgars thus represent a unique example of relatively rapid change from nomadism to sedentism and urbanization, with no significant influence from neighboring, developed states. Cultural syncretism therefore emerged as a key characteristic of Volga Bulgaria"-- Provided by publisher Front Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgements Illustrations Introduction 1 The Historiography of the Origin of the Volga Bulgars; Pre-Bulgar Period and the Arrival of the Bulgars in the Volga Region 1 The Main Hypotheses of the Origin of the Volga Bulgars and Their Culture 2 The Pre-Bulgar Period and Arrival of the Bulgars in the Middle Volga Region 3 From Nomadic Life to Sedentism 2 Volga Bulgaria: Its Territory and Settlements 1 The Natural Landscape, Territory, and Raw Resources of the Bulgar State in the 11th–Early 13th Centuries 2 Hillforts 2.1 Hillforts Dating to the First Half of the 10th Century 2.1.1 The Trans-Kama Region 2.2 Hillforts Dating to the Second Half of the 10th–11th Centuries 2.2.1 The Trans-Kama Region 2.2.2 The Cis-Kama Region 2.2.3 The Cis-Volga Region 2.2.4 The Samara Bend 2.3 Hillforts Dating to the 11th–12th Centuries 2.3.1 The Trans-Kama Region 2.3.2 The Cis-Volga Region 2.4 Hillforts Dating Back to the 12th Century 2.4.1 The Cis-Kama Region 3 Early Settlements 3.1 Early Settlements Emerging in the First Half of the 10th Century 3.1.1 The Trans-Kama Area 3.2 Early Settlements Emerging in the Second Half of 10th–Early 11th Centuries 3.2.1 The Cis-Volga Region 3.2.2 The Trans-Kama Region 3.3 Early Settlements Emerging in the 11th–12th Centuries 3.3.1 The Trans-Kama Region 3.3.2 The Cis-Kama Region 3.4 Early Settlements Emerging in the 12th–Early 13th Centuries 3.4.1 The Cis-Kama Region 4 Settlement Agglomerations 3 Burial Sites and Population Characteristics 1 Burial Sites 1.1 Burial Grounds of the Second Half of the 8th–9th Centuries 1.2 Burial Grounds of the Bulgar-Saltovo Population of the Second Half of the 8th–the First Half of the 9th Centuries 1.3 Burial Grounds of the Kama-Ural Population of the 9th–Early 10th Centuries 1.4 Burial Grounds of the Second Half of the 9th–the First Quarter of the 10th Centuries 1.5 Urban Necropolises of the 10th–Early 13th Centuries 1.5.1 Burial Grounds with Predominantly Muslim Funeral Rites 1.5.2 Burial Grounds with the Predominance of Pagan Funeral Rites 1.5.3 About Pagan Cults in Volga Bulgaria 1.5.4 Rural Muslim Necropolises of the 10th–Early 13th Centuries 1.5.5 General Characteristics of Muslim Burial Grounds of the 11th–Early 13th Centuries 2 Anthropological Characteristics of the Volga Bulgars of the 8th–Early 13th Centuries 3 Diet of the Bulgars 4 Material Culture 1 House-Building: Residential and Household, Improvement of the Settlements 2 Monumental Architecture 3 Pottery Industry 4 Iron Metallurgy and Blacksmithing 5 Processing of Non-ferrous Metals and Jewelry Art 6 Processing of Bone and Horn; Other Trades Conclusions Illustrations Bibliography Index of Ethnonyms Index of Personal Names Index of Terms and Concepts Back Cover