Book review: Bogachev A.V., Frantsuzov D.A. Costume of the Proto-Bulgars of the Middle Volga region: late 7th – early 10th century (Samara: SGTU, 2012, 350 pp.)

Methodological and source study aspects of the research devoted to the costume of early medieval cattle-breeding population of the Middle Volga region carried out in the monograph by A.V. Bogachev and D.A. Frantsuzov are examined in the review. This aspect of material culture is considered by the authors on the basis of written, visual and material data. However, it should be noted that the information from the written sources analyzed appeared insufficient to characterize the nomadic costume in general, lacking details regarding the clothing of the early medieval Bulgars of the Middle Volga region in particular. The visual sources are more informative, but the authors have not used them in total, ignoring a lot of important materials. Besides, the authors of the book have discarded a significant array of archaeological data, and the analysis of the materials used bears a rather superficial and careless character. The fact that the majority archaeological sites considered in the book have been attributed to the Proto-Bulgars (Bulgars) attests to a subjective and badly-reasoned stance. The study is largely secondary: it is based upon previous works by A.V. Bogachev and repeats his mistakes and errors, which have already received a negative appraisal from experts. The author of the review concludes that the study by A.V. Bogachev and D.A. Frantsuzov has been carried out on a low methodological level, insufficient to consider the monograph under consideration a qualitative research.