THE GOLDEN HORDE BRICK MAUSOLEUMS OF THE WESTERN ORENBURG REGION

Abstract

With adoption of Islam by the Golden Horde in the 14th century construction of brick mausoleums in the territory of a steppe zone of the Orenburg region begins. Tombs were built from the burned brick, sometimes with small addition of adobe. Bricks are of a standard sizes as a rule. It is interesting that all revealed brick mausoleums are located in the western part of the Orenburg region. The topographical analysis of memorial complexes shows that all of them are located on the fi rst terraces of the small steppe rivers, with the maximum remoteness from water sources to 1,5 km. Earlier known investigated Golden Horde mausoleums in the
considered region were the family tombs containing in structure of stock various household items and luxury. It proves the presence of pagan remnants in the nomadic population that is characteristic of a stage a dual–belief during Islamization. Distribution of brick mausoleums in the 14th century refl ects the Islamization policy pursued by the Golden Horde in territories under control in steppes of Cisural area.