Emergence and Development of Fortifications in the Volga Bolgaria in the X–XIII Centuries.

Authors

  • Airat M. Gubaidullin Institute of Archaeology named after A. Kh. Khalikov, Tatarstan Academy of Sciences. Butlerov St., 30, Kazan, 420012, Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24852/2587-6112.2024.5.21.30

Keywords:

archaeology, Middle Volga region, Volga Bolgaria, fortifications, origin and development

Abstract

Fortifications in the Ancient World and in the Middle Ages served for the defense of cities and many other settlements. Since the XX century, a kind of revival of defensive science began on the territory of both the whole of Europe and its eastern part, which fell into decline after ancient times. Fortifications of cities and castles showed not only the level of military development, but also the level of development of the states and peoples who created them. In turn, they also influenced the structure of settlements, their planning, etc. In the general range of fortification objects, the fortresses of Volga Bolgaria in the pre-Mongol period are an indicator of high achievements in engineering. Using the skills of knowledge in this field acquired in the early period of history, the Bolgars managed to create their own school in the field of construction of defensive structures made of wood and earth. Starting with the creation of fairly simple fortifications, the evolution of their protective types took place on the territory of the Bolgar state in the X–XIII centuries. If at the beginning of their development they were defensive moats and walls made of vertical logs, then in the XII century there are fortress walls made up of wooden logs with a fighting platform in the upper part appeared. Also at this time, there is a whole range of measures for the defense of the territory of Volga Bolgaria. Thus, the Bolgar fortification science reaches its highest level already in the pre-Mongol period of history.

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Published

2024-10-31

How to Cite

Gubaidullin , A. M. (2024). Emergence and Development of Fortifications in the Volga Bolgaria in the X–XIII Centuries. Arkheologiia Evraziiskikh Stepei (Archaeology of the Eurasian Steppes), (5), 21–30. https://doi.org/10.24852/2587-6112.2024.5.21.30

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Section

Research and Publication