Jewish Community of Mangoup According to Archaeological Data
Until the creation of external fortification belt in Genoese Kafa (Feodosia) at the end of XIV century Mangoup was the largest in area (about 1 km^) fortified settlement in Crimea. It was situated on the top of the plateau at the height of about 600 m above sea level. Inaccessible steep slopes (heig...
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| Опубліковано в: : | Материалы по археологии, истории и этнографии Таврии |
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| Дата: | 2000 |
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| Формат: | Стаття |
| Мова: | Англійська |
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Кримське відділення Інституту сходознавства ім. А.Ю. Кримського НАН України
2000
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| Цитувати: | Jewish Community of Mangoup According to Archaeological Data / A.H. Gertsen // Материалы по археологии, истории и этнографии Таврии: Сб. научн. тр. — 2000. — Вып. VII. — С. нет. — англ. |
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Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine| _version_ | 1859664906951852032 |
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| author | Gertsen, A.H. |
| author_facet | Gertsen, A.H. |
| citation_txt | Jewish Community of Mangoup According to Archaeological Data / A.H. Gertsen // Материалы по археологии, истории и этнографии Таврии: Сб. научн. тр. — 2000. — Вып. VII. — С. нет. — англ. |
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| container_title | Материалы по археологии, истории и этнографии Таврии |
| description | Until the creation of external fortification belt in Genoese Kafa (Feodosia) at the end of XIV century Mangoup was the largest in area (about 1 km^) fortified settlement in Crimea. It was situated on the top of the plateau at the height of about 600 m above sea level. Inaccessible steep slopes (height up to 70 m) form the most part of its contour. Natural defence and water sources existence attract people here since ancient times. Building of fortification constructions started at the early Medieval time. Prime of the settlement was in XIV-XV centuries, when it became the capital of Feodoro Principality, which occupied the most part of the South-western Crimea and had boundaries with the Genoueses and Tatars. Government of the Principality probably consisted of members of provincial aristocratic dynasty, which had ties of relationship with Paleologues, what confirmed by portrayal of double head eagles on the four of known epigraphic monuments (20“’ -SO'”, XV cent.). In 1475 the Principality was occupied by Turks-Osmans, the capital was captured after six month siege.
|
| first_indexed | 2025-11-30T10:16:33Z |
| format | Article |
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А Н. GERTSEN
LEWISH COMMUNITY OF MANGUP ACCORDING TO ARCHEOLOGICAL DATA
Until the creation of external fortification belt in Genoese Kafa (Feodosia) at the end of
XIV century Mangoup was the largest in area (about 1 km^) fortified settlement in Crimea. It
was situated on the top of the plateau at the height of about 600 m above sea level. Inacces
sible steep slopes (height up to 70 m) form the most part of its contour. Natural defence and
water sources existence attract people here since ancient times. Building of fortification
constructions started at the early Medieval time. Prime of the settlement was in XIV-XV
centuries, when it became the capital of Feodoro Principality, which occupied the most part
of the South-western Crimea and had boundaries with the Genoueses and Tatars. Govern
ment of the Principality probably consisted of members of provincial aristocratic dynasty,
which had ties of relationship with Paleologues, what confirmed by portrayal of double head
eagles on the four of known epigraphic monuments (20“’ -SO'”, XV cent.). In 1475 the Princi
pality was occupied by Turks-Osmans, the capital was captured after six month siege.
Following history of Mangoup (XVI-XVIll centuries) is bound up with Jewish community, inhab
ited this territory. In literature, usually, this community is determined as Karaites one.
Written sources on the Karaites community of Mangoup could be symbolically divided
into two groups: the first one consists of travellers notes and juridical documents, dated to
XVI-XVIll centuries; the second - chronographic additions on the margins of hand-written
books, which are basically included into collection of A.S. Firkovich (stored at the State
Public Library of Russia in Saint-Petersburg) and epigraphic monuments of Jewish cemetery
at the Tabana-dere Canyon at Mangoup.
Selection of these two groups is explained by considerable contrast in texts chronology
and its content.
Written sources of the first group give a view on development of community in XVI-XVIll
centuries. The author of the first description of Crimea-Polish ambassador Martin Bronevskiy,
who visited Mangoup in 1578, says about population of the town: “only one Greek and some
Jews and Turks live there; everything else is in terrible oblivion’’.
According to data of Turkish Defters (published by Jule Wainshtein), Jewish Community
amounted 48 families in 1520, what was 28% of all population (approximately 670 persons,
Christian and Muslim Communities); in 1542 - 35 families - 36% of all population (about 500
persons). In 1638 (according to A. Fisher) there were 76 houses of Jews, 41 Greek houses,
and in 1649 - 68 Jewish houses and no Greek ones.
In the middle of XVII century, G. Boplan wrote about 60 Jewish houses.
It is specially underlined in comprehensive description of Mangoup, composed by Turk-
ish traveller Evlia Chellebi (1666), that Jews here are of Karaites religion, not familiar with
koshrut and Jewish language, speak Tatar. Other Jews don't like them. It is interesting, that
he don’t say about Karaites in relation to Chufut-Kale Jews. The basic occupation of Mangoup
community was currying (skin processing), beginning from Evlia Chellebi all further travellers
inform that. Probably remaining of stone tuns at the upper part of Tabana-dere canyon is
connected with that manufacture. Soon after including Crimea into Russia, Jews left Mangoup,
‘/j 7 3ai. 219 201
settling down at Chufut-Kale, Bakhchisaray and Evpatoria. At the end of XVIII century settlers
built the second synagogue at Chufut Kale, which decoration, according to the legend, was
exported from Mangoup.
Before publication of preliminary results of A.S. Firkovich and D.A. Hvolson researches,
there were opinions in scientific sphere and Crimean Karaite themselves that they appeared
in the Crimea approximately at the same time that Tatars, came here from Persia and other
oriental countries. Publication of epigraphic finds at Mangoup and Chufut Kale by Firkovich
(Avne Zikkaron. Vilno, 1872), statements of D.A. Hvolson were targeted the considerable
shift back of Karaites stay in Crimea, what caused stormy discussion, which have not fin
ished yet.
Dealing with Mangoup, the following scheme appears according to Firkovich materials. In 805
khazars captured fortress Don (later Mangoup) from Goths, who oppressed local Jews.
About 840, khazars founded Mangoup, where khazars themselves and Jews from
Tamatarka (Tmutarakan) settled down.
There are 72 epitaphs since 866 till 1777 shown in “Avne Zikkaron”. Special report by
Natalia Kashovskaya is dedicated to this group of monuments.
The beginning of the direct study of Jewish monuments of Mangoup is usually connected
with the name of Peter Keppen, who inspected the cemetery in 1833 and examined grave
stone with date 5034 (1274 A. D.). It is important to mention, that Keppen in footnote 43
(page 29), says that information was provided by Karaites gaham Mordehay Sultanskiy, who
specially came to see monuments at Mangoup.
During the full swing of polemics between supporters and antagonists of A.S. Firkovich,
FA. Brown specialist in Scandinavian Studies started excavations at Mangoup, looking for
the Goths traces. In 1890 he met here teachers from Feodosia Karaites School, excavating
the Tabana-dere cemetery by order of Tauric and Odessa gaham Nangulov. By request of
Nangulov, Brown examined some inscriptions by magnifier and witnessed that he didn't see
a sign of falsification. He made paper prints from 7 inscriptions dated since 875 to 983 A. D.,
but he didn’t guarantee their authenticity. That material were transferred to Asian Museum in
Saint-Petersburg, and unfortunately not found till present.
Specialist in Byzantine studies Roman Leper held excavations at Mangoup in 1912-
1914. He excavated some burials at the Jewish necropolis and found skeletons with de
formed skulls and coins of V century. Unfortunately we are unable to determine the location
of those excavations. By the way. Leper himself connected those burials not with Jews but
with Goths or Alans. Characterising necropolis in general he mentioned that inscriptions on
the gravestones “mostly of XV-XVIl centuries, number of more older are low".
In that period stormy discussion on belonging the cemetery to Karaites or Rabbinates
developed in press. Leper took part of Rabbinates. One of his arguments was result of syna
gogue excavations at the upper parts of canyon. Here Leper found a stone gutter, which he
connected with the existence of Mikva. Unfortunately, excavations of synagogue were not
finished because of the broken World War.
Archaeological excavations of Jewish monuments started again only in 1985 by expedi
tion of Simferopol State University. At that time marking-out of necropolis territory for the
future topographical survey was carried out. Since 1990 excavations were held systemati
cally. Group from Jewish studies institute from Saint-Petersburg under leadership of N.
Kashovskaya took part in it, they held epigraphic surveys. Archaeological excavations at its
territory were held in 1985-86, and than resumed in 1991 with participation of O. Beliy, scien
Материалы по археопогии, истории и этнографии Таврии. Вып. VII________
202
2 .
7.
8.
tist from Bakhchisaray museum. This work continues at present time. Now we can make
only some preliminary conclusions.
It is necessary to describe periodic history of Mangoup first of all, based on the many
years of excavations and written sources.
1. Prefortress period: (middle III - middle VI centuries), upper parts of canyons were mostly
explored. Population - mostly Goths and Alans, among whom Christianity was spread
ing.
Early-Byzantine fortress period (VI - VIII centuries). Creation of powerful defensive sys
tem, building of big Basilica.
Khazar period (end of VIII - first half of IX century) Short capture of the fortress by khazars,
which didn’t reflect much material culture of population.
Thema period (middle IX - X centuries). Fortress was back under Byzantine power.
Desolation period (XI-XIII centuries).
Earlier Feodoro period (XIV century). City buildings appeared on the plateau, citadel was
built on Teshkii-burun cape; at the end of the century city is devastated by Tamerlan’s
(Timur) army.
Later Feodoro period (1 - 3"̂ quarter of XV century). Renaissance of the Feodoro Princi
pality capital, construction of the palace and the second defensive line, reconstruction of
Basilica and citadel.
Turkish period, (end XV - 70"’ years of XVIII century). After the capture by Turks, the city
gradually falls into neglect and fully left by residents at the beginning of the 90"’ years of
XVIII century.
I mentioned in my report at the previous XI"’ congress, that according to results of exca
vations by Ural archaeologists, Jewish blocks, occupied territory around the ruins of Big
Basilica, functioned in XVI - XVIII centuries. As to necropolis, the mostly earlier gravestones,
not arising doubts on authenticity of their dates, dated back to the end of XIV - middle XV
centuries (gravestone of Evfrosinya) near the defensive wall, built across the canyon in Turk
ish period in 1503.
Archaeological profile of the western slope in the central part of the canyon is examined
by the excavations of 80-90"’. Near the excavation site there were gravestones with dates
1026, with the name Mordehy son of Jacob, 1008, 998, 1632, the last is missing in “Avne
Zikkaron” (reading of the inscriptions and date determination by Alexander Hasroev, scientist
from Leningrad Department of Oriental Studies Institute). The low edge of site reached thal
weg, soil here is much swamped because of the spring, which begins at the upper part of the
canyon. Long stone rows among which ran-wiid fruit-trees grow are easily noticeable.
The upper layer - humus of black colour, formed from the alluvium of the spring after the
cemetery was neglected.
The second layer - dark-grey loam, width 0,2-0,4 m. From its surface level cemetery graves
were dug. Stone ruins of terrace, traced at all the area of excavations, are connected with this
layer. Material of XIV-XV centuries, i.e. Feodoro Principality period, dominates in this layer.
The third layer with width 0,2-0,9 m - bam of yellow colour. Cemetery graves are located in
this layer, inculcated the lower part of terrace ruins. Material in the layer is similar to the previous.
Up to 3 local layers (layers 5-6) braced at separate sections of excavations site, containing very
fragmented material dated to IX-X centuries and earlier period.
At the examined burials corpse lay on back, arms usually lay on a pelvis bone or under it.
Legs are stretched, sometimes brought together in shins and feet. Deceased were buried in a
■47* 203
wooden coffin, what is shown by finding of forged iron nails.
Funeral inventory connected with the clothes, deceased were buried in, and also with the
jewellery used when alive. These are: golden threads from belt embroidery, bronze finger-rings,
coloured glass beads, bone-made buttons. The inventory in general is rather poor.
Situation at the excavation site could be interpreted the next way. On the slopes of the
canyon, probably, already in IX-X centuries works on terrace building started. In XIV-XV cen
turies new terrace horizon was created, using stones from the constructions of earlier peri
ods. Most likely, territory of gardens of principality capital residents was organised with that
terrace. There is indication on that in low used source - description of Mangoup in lyrics,
created by monk Matthew about 1395. It says about beautiful gardens within the city bounda
ries, which irrigated by the water running downwards. This picture is mostly correspondent to
the situation traced by the excavations in Tabana-dere.
Only after terrace functioning termination and beginning of their destruction process,
burials appeared here, its graves were mostly made taking in account, artificially formed
landscape, i.e. using the ground sections limited by stone ruins and in the ruins themselves.
Thus, period of functioning of cemetery section containing gravestone with-epitaphs from X till
XVII centuries is determined as the end of XV - XVIII centuries according to the archaeological
data.
The second archaeological topic, connected with the history of Jewish community of
Mangoup is the issue on Mikva near the synagogue.
Excavations of current 1997 year recovered sections excavated by Leper and stone gut
ter found mentioned in his notes. However, its purpose was rainwater collection from the
synagogue yard.
We have much more foundation tb identify as Mikva artificial cave construction 25 m
South-west from synagogue, which presents, chamber in rock with a basin in the bottom,
with an trap-entrance (a comer view in plan) and stairs. There is no analogue for this con
struction among big number of monuments of rock architecture in Crimea.
But niche in front of the entrance with steppes in the corner is similar, to the one I saw in
Sephoris. And in general, there is analogue to Mangoup complex in Wormse (Germany) -
Mikva, but deeper one, near synagogue of XI century.
Preliminary results of study, held in July of this year give foundation to guess, that syna
gogue has at least two function periods: XIV-XV centuries, i.e. Feodoro Principality period
and later - XVI-XVIll centuries. Probably, appearance of Mikva could be synchronised with the
first period.
Of course, our study is now only in beginning phase. We cannot exclude probability of
detection of earlier traces of synagogue construction remainirig and corresponding burials at
necropolis, which total square reaches 4 hectors. Issue on confession differentiation of Mangoup
Jewish community is still opened. However, solution of this and other issues is hardly possi
ble only by archaeological means. Only co-ordinated forces of scientists of different speciali
ties will solve the problem, which historian S. Dubnov in the title of his article, dedicated to
the monuments of Mangoup, published in 1914 in magazine “Jewish Antiquity”, determined
as “Historical Mystery of Crimea”.
Материалы по археологии, истории и этнографии Таврии. Вып. VII________
204
|
| id | nasplib_isofts_kiev_ua-123456789-169976 |
| institution | Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
| issn | 2413-189X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-30T10:16:33Z |
| publishDate | 2000 |
| publisher | Кримське відділення Інституту сходознавства ім. А.Ю. Кримського НАН України |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | Gertsen, A.H. 2020-07-03T18:33:55Z 2020-07-03T18:33:55Z 2000 Jewish Community of Mangoup According to Archaeological Data / A.H. Gertsen // Материалы по археологии, истории и этнографии Таврии: Сб. научн. тр. — 2000. — Вып. VII. — С. нет. — англ. 2413-189X https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/169976 Until the creation of external fortification belt in Genoese Kafa (Feodosia) at the end of XIV century Mangoup was the largest in area (about 1 km^) fortified settlement in Crimea. It was situated on the top of the plateau at the height of about 600 m above sea level. Inaccessible steep slopes (height up to 70 m) form the most part of its contour. Natural defence and water sources existence attract people here since ancient times. Building of fortification constructions started at the early Medieval time. Prime of the settlement was in XIV-XV centuries, when it became the capital of Feodoro Principality, which occupied the most part of the South-western Crimea and had boundaries with the Genoueses and Tatars. Government of the Principality probably consisted of members of provincial aristocratic dynasty, which had ties of relationship with Paleologues, what confirmed by portrayal of double head eagles on the four of known epigraphic monuments (20“’ -SO'”, XV cent.). In 1475 the Principality was occupied by Turks-Osmans, the capital was captured after six month siege. en Кримське відділення Інституту сходознавства ім. А.Ю. Кримського НАН України Материалы по археологии, истории и этнографии Таврии Археология Jewish Community of Mangoup According to Archaeological Data Еврейская община Мангупа по археологическим данным Article published earlier |
| spellingShingle | Jewish Community of Mangoup According to Archaeological Data Gertsen, A.H. Археология |
| title | Jewish Community of Mangoup According to Archaeological Data |
| title_alt | Еврейская община Мангупа по археологическим данным |
| title_full | Jewish Community of Mangoup According to Archaeological Data |
| title_fullStr | Jewish Community of Mangoup According to Archaeological Data |
| title_full_unstemmed | Jewish Community of Mangoup According to Archaeological Data |
| title_short | Jewish Community of Mangoup According to Archaeological Data |
| title_sort | jewish community of mangoup according to archaeological data |
| topic | Археология |
| topic_facet | Археология |
| url | https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/169976 |
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