Manufacturing technology of building ceramics in Khazar khaganate. Reconstruction experience

The article is devoted to the technical analysis of building ceramics referring to the Saltovo-Mayatskaya archaeological culture. Several groups of building material were investigated. They were obtained in the course of archaeological excavations and collecting on the territory of the Semikarakor hill fort site, the Pravoberezhny Tsimlyansk hill fort site, and some other Khazar Khaganate monuments dated by 2nd half of the 8th ? early 10th centuries, as well as on the territory of former Cossack settlements, where the bricks were used secondarily. The results of laboratory research and testing of various construction materials of the Saltovo period are represented in the article: burnt and adobe bricks, tiles, ceramides, etc. The qualitative indicators of these materials and their comparative evaluations are cited. The technological parameters and processes applied in the manufacture of building ceramics are reconstructed. The methods currently used to assess the quality and to control production processes of modern building ceramics, were applied to test the archaeological samples submitted. The different kind of raw materials and finished products resulting from their usage are characterized. An attempt was made to reproduce the process of building ceramics manufacture typical of the Khazar Khaganate period using experimental archeology methods. The experimental reconstruction of manufacturing and firing of the Semikarakor-Sarkel type bricks in the laboratory and field conditions is described.