From the History of the Political and Trade Interrelation of Egrisi in the 6th-8th cc. AD, according to the Clothing Accessories (Belt Buckles, Clasps and Pins), discovered in Nokalakevi

Abstract

Since 1973, the Nokalakevi archaeological expedition has discovered various types of buckles, clasps and pins dating back to the Early Middle Ages. Most of them were found on the lower terrace of the site, inside the fortification and only one artifact (N12-974:6802) outside of the east walls in the 30 meter. Most of the artifacts were unearthed from buildings, cultural layers and burials dated back to the Early Middle Ages. Nine of them are preserved at the Georgian National Museum, S. Janashia Georgian State Museum’s Middle Ages collection, at the Academic Parmen Zaqaraia West Georgia’s storage room.
Only one artifact was unearthed in the burial located in the South annex of The Forty Martyrs Church. The artifact is preserved at the Parmen Zakaraia Nokalakevi Architectural-Archaeological Museum-Reserve.
In this article, we present comprehensive research. Every artifact is described and has a registration number, year and location of discovery. Every artifact has its local and international analogy, their chronology and origin are determined by stratigraphic data and laboratory research, additionally, dates are received by comparative chronology from other artifacts.
The production and distribution area of the buckles and other materials found in the Nokalakevi settlement are extensive and cover the territory of the Byzantine Empire (Asia Minor, Anatolia etc.) north Black Sea, north Caucasus, Eurasian Steppes, Danube and Volga region. It is fascinating how these artifacts appeared in Nokalakevi. We discuss two versions: in the Kingdom of Egrisi and particularly in the capital, the Byzantine army was settled and diverse types of people served in the army. Written sources provide interesting information about the ethnic composition of the Byzantine army. It is well known that the Byzantine army included not only Southern Caucasians – Iberian, Laz, Zans and Armenians, but also Syrians, Thracians, Slavs, Germans (such as Guts, Heruli, etc.), and soldiers of Turkish origin. It appears that the analogues of these artifacts were widespread among the people who lived in the Eurasian Steppe (mostly Turkish-speaking population), which expresses the political and economic relationship between the Egrisi kingdom and the Eurasian Steppe.