КИТАЙСКИЕ ИЗДЕЛИЯ ИЗ АРХЕОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ПАМЯТНИКОВ РАННЕСРЕДНЕВЕКОВЫХ ТЮРОК ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ АЗИИ

Abstract

A large number of metal mirrors, coins, silk products, and items with varnish coating, made in craft workshops of China were found while examining the funeral complexes of the early medieval Turkic tribes. These findings are considered to be important elements of the material culture of nomads. They represent the military, political, trade, and other contacts of nomads with the population of the southern settled and agricultural centers. The available written certificates do not provide enough information to solve all the complex problems associated with the interpretation of the imported products found in the named archaeological sites. The materials recorded in the course of the excavation work significantly expand the possibilities of reconstructing many aspects of the life-style of nomadic communities as well as reflecting the world outlook of some cattle-farmers groups. The Chinese items are recorded in the sites of Turkic tribes dated to the 2nd half of the 6th century AD, when one of the largest nomadic empires – the First (Great) Turkic khaganate was built up. The table of Medieval Chinese import divided into the categories of findings is presented in the article. Two metal mirrors were examined by means of an X-ray fluorescent spectrometer. The pictures of some items are also shown in the article. The article considers the use of these Chinese products in the rites of the early medieval nomads. There are prospects for further research of the subject as more material becomes available.