External Lines of the Early Bolgar Fortification

New evidence challenges long-held assumptions about the fortifications of Bolgar, revealing at least two external defense lines predating Mongol rule. Unlike previous beliefs, these lines—likely used to protect craftsmen and traders near the citadel—show signs of multiple phases rather than a single structure. Excavations suggest complex dating issues due to poorly preserved embankments and vague ditch chronologies, casting doubt on the narrative of Bolgar's catastrophic 1236 Mongol destruction. The study relies on archaeological materials but highlights gaps in reliable preservation, underscoring the need for refined methods to reconstruct early 13th-century fortifications.

Koval, V. Yu., Badeev, D. Yu.,. (2022). External Lines of the Early Bolgar Fortification. Povolzhskaya Arkheologiya (the Volga River Region Archaeology), 2(40), 124–134. https://doi.org/10.24852/pa2022.2.40.124.134