Byzantine Weights Excavated at Sugdaia

Abstract

In article the Byzantine weight signs coming from excavation of medieval Sugdaia are considered. Today this collection is the largest for all cities of Taurica, conceding, only Chersonese. With rare exception all finds haze no archaeological context and come from underwater researches in the bay of Sugdaia. This circumstance, on the other hand, allows connecting their functioning only with activity of city port. Only the Byzantine weight signs submitted by quadrangular and similar to the disk bronze ekzagiya and quadrangular bronze weights are analyzed. Attention is paid to both the various quadrangular and similar to the disk lead weight signs including ornamented which were actively used at commission of trade operations. The conclusion is drawn that in the territory of Sugdaia from the second half of the X century there was exclusively Byzantine weight system with active use of gold coins. Along with presence of the officials who had powers of check of full weight of coins at the city, judging by the given materials, a large number were private dealers and moneychangers using unmarked weight signs including lead copies.