Studying Dzuketau Ceramics (Historiographic Overview)

The article addresses history of studies and some debatable issues regarding the origin, development and chronology of Dzuketau ceramics (group XIII of non-glazed ceramics according to T.A. Khlebnikova's classification). Such ware was distinguished as a separate group after archaeological research on the sites in the Lower Kama Region in 1960s. It is mainly localized in the cultural layer of Dzhuketau ? one of the economic and political centers in the Volga Bulgaria. The article summarizes the main published materials and presents typological and technological features of Dzuketau ceramics. Some debatable issues related to studying different aspects of existence of this type of ceramics are subjected to analysis. The author emphasizes the important role played by Dzhuketau ceramics in material culture found on the sites in the Volga Bulgaria Region in pre-Mongol and Golden Horde time. In conclusion, the author defines perspectives for further studies of Dzhuketau ceramics.