The Problem of the Golden Horde “Imperial Culture” Formation and its Role as an Area-Forming Factor for the Peoples of the Ural-Volga Region

The problem of formation and existence of a common imperial culture of the Golden Horde and the degree of influence of this state on the culture of neighboring peoples inhabiting the Urals and the Volga regions. The results of the comparison between the culture of the Golden Horde cities and the nomadic steppe population demonstrate significant differences and a very low degree of interpenetration of their traditions. In the material culture of the peoples of the Volga-Kama and the Cis-Urals regions, drawn into the Golden Horde sphere of influence (the Mari, the Udmurts, the Mordvinians, the Bashkirs), the local tradition was kept intact, items produced in the Golden Horde were as rarely met as imported ones, and did not affect the local production of weapons, jewelry, etc. All this makes it possible to conclude that the concept of "imperial culture of the Golden Horde" is an artificial one, and its influence on the cultures of the neighboring peoples of the Volga-Ural region cannot be traced on the basis of archaeological materials.