Changes in the Level of the Caspian Sea and its Infl uence on Historical Processes in the Lower Reaches of the Volga in the Middle Ages (analysis of materials of hydrology and archaeology)

Abstract

The author analyzes the materials of hydrological and archaeological research and examines the historical processes that took place in the Volga River delta in the Middle Ages. Modern data on the hydrology of the Caspian Sea, changes in its water level, the area of the water mirror and land are presented. A detailed schedule of changes in the level of the Caspian Sea in the time interval of the 7th– 15th centuries is given, which allows us to identify favorable periods for human economic activity. There are three natural favorable periods corresponding to three historical epochs – the Khazar Khaganate, the Saksin region and the Golden Horde. For each epoch, a physical and geographical characteristic and a list of known archaeological sites corresponding to the time are proposed. The dependence of changes in the areas of the Volga delta developed by man on fluctuations in the level of the Caspian Sea is shown. Catastrophic sea level rises that occurred in the X century and throughout the 13th century, which influenced the further development of the Lower Volga territories, are noted. In the Golden Horde epoch, a natural favorable period stands out, falling during the reign of the khans of Uzbek and Janibek – the peak of the economic and cultural flourishing of the Ulus of Jochi. On the basis of the hydrological forecast, prospects are outlined in the search, discovery and study of archaeological sites currently located under the waters of the Caspian Sea.