The Nomads in the Bulgar Ulus of the Golden Horde (based on archaeological data)

The article is devoted to the nomad burial ground sites referring to the second half of the 14th century, which were investigated in the territory of Tatarstan in 1960-1990. The area of their location is split into two parts: the first group is near Bolgar city, the second is in the vicinity of Juketau city. These burial grounds are connected to nearby settlements. Most significant for the study of the presence of the nomads in the Bulgar Ulus are the burial ground site located on Peschanyi (Sand) island and that of the Balymeri burial mounds. Isolated nomad burials were discovered at Bolgar city cemeteries and some other burial grounds of the settled population. The data on the funeral rite and the funeral equipment of the nomadic burials, as well as the results of paleo-anthropological examination of the buried are provided. The synchronicity of the assemblages studied and the similarity of the findings make it possible to suggest that they constitute a single ethno-cultural complex associated with the Kipchak population. It is determined that the nomads in the Bulgar Ulus of the Golden Horde maintained close contacts with the indigenous population of the area.