THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE 14TH-15TH CENTURIES IN THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE NORTH BLACK SEA AREA
Channel: European Association of Archaeologists
Date: 2021-01-14

The archaeological investigation of fortresses and cities in the North Black Sea region has revealed new features in the historical and cultural development of the region during the 14th and 15th centuries. The interaction of several civilizations and states, including the Golden Horde, the Crimean Khanate, the Ottoman Empire, the Moldavian Principality and the Great Principality of Lithuanian and Rus, as well as the presence of Genoese and Venetian merchants, resulted in the emergence of a common material culture. This can, for example be attested in the cities of the Golden Horde between the Dniester and the mouth of the Dnieper in the late 14th century and the fortresses built by Moldavian (to the west) and Lithuanian princes (to the west and east). This also applies to the settlements in the Lower Dnieper region. This form of cultural syncretism, reinforced by active commercial relations, can be detected in the archaeological record of the region between Akkerman (on the Dniester) and the fortress and city of Tyagin (on the Dnieper). Sites in the region show different proportions of Eastern and Western elements during the Golden Horde period, but there are a large number of common traits, especially in ceramics, metal adornments in leather items, and coins. Investigation of the material record allows the archaeologist to trace global trends and development of this complex historical period.


Author(s): Biliaieva, Svitlana (Institute of Archaeology of National Academy of sciences of Ukraine)