On the Localization of the Azak Mosques on the Basis of Epigraphic Finds

The paper provides data on findings, the analysis of which complements the topography of the Golden Horde city of Azak, indicating the locations of several mosques in its territory. The scarce information from written sources, represented by the works of Ibn-Battuta and Josaphat Barbaro, does not provide a basis for an accurate localization. Archaeological materials come to the rescue. Among them are fragments of stone paste and clay tiles, fragments of mosaics, as well as carved stone slabs, glass lamps, and marble mortars. The finds are concentrated in several locations within the city, some of them accompanying the excavated foundations of the walls and minaret towers. An important role is assigned to specimens of architectural decoration containing inscriptions. The paper features the first translation of the Arabic texts found on the inscriptions. It serves as an additional confirmation of the proximate location of Muslim cult structures. As a result of mapping the finds and excavated parts of the buildings, five places were identified in different parts of the city, where a mosque or madrasah very likely existed

On Characteristics of Azak’s Pottery Craft of the Beginning of the 14th Century Ad (based on materials from excavations in Azov on Sotsialistichesky Lane, 53, in 2015)

The paper presents the results of a pottery workshop studies. The workshop was discovered during excavations in the city of Azov on Sotsialistichesky lane, 53 in 2015. It was located in the central area of medieval Azak and was a pottery production complex, consisting of a two-tier kiln and a kiln pit interconnected with a furnace channel. Almost all ceramic material from the filling of the firing chamber were locally produced vessels - products of this workshop. It is represented by one-handle glazed jugs of small and medium size with typical traces of defects (overfiring, cracks, deformations). This workshop had a narrow specialization and small production volume. Judging by stratigraphy and numismatic data, it ceased to function in the beginning of the first decade of the 14th century

Glazed pottery of the South-Eastern Crimea from the excavations of the Tsarev settlement

The article deals with the findings of glazed ceramics produced in the South-Eastern Crimea, and then excavated at the Tsarev settlement. Their typology, chronology and topography are being introduced by the author. On the basis of the 165 analyzed fragments and whole vessels the author suggests a 4-level classification scheme, which includes the production center, functional purpose of the items, morphological characteristics and ornamentation of the vessels. Basic types and variations of vessels’ shapes are being described according to three major chronological periods: 1. Early 1300s, 2. 1330s, 3. The second half of the 14th century. Notably, the earliest findings of ceramics dated by the first two periods were located on the South-Eastern part of the Tsarev settlement. Most of all, its are the bowls on a circular underpan lacking ornamentation and covered with green transparent glazing. Since the second half of the 14th century the vessels from the South-Eastern Crimea had been widely spread on the entire area of the settlement. The assortment of vessels’ shapes used at this time along with jars and bowls, was now widened by aftobes and apothecary amphoras