Interethnic Contacts in the East Kama Region in the 10th – Beginning of the 13th Centuries

Abstract

Relevance of this research is caused by the lack of studies dedicated to the problems of interethnic contacts with the neighboring regions in the pre-Mongol Bulgaria era. The aim of this article is to summarize the data received during excavations in recent years, which testifies to the existence of ethno-cultural ties of the Volga Bulgarians from the lower Kama region with the Turkic, Ugric and Finn-Perm population. New material allows defining the extent of participation of each component of unique culture in medieval population of the region. The particular interest is paid to the role of the XVIII ethno-cultural group of ware for the Finn-Perm population (on T.A. Khlebnikova's classification). This group of ceramics appeared in the Volga Bulgaria in the XII century. Research data on archaeological settlements of the East Kama region of the pre-Mongol period represents considerable interest related to studies of ethnic composition of population of the Volga Bulgaria and nearby territories. Results of the research can be useful for experts studying the problems of interethnic contacts of the medieval population of the Central Volga area and the Urals.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s5p291