The Society for the Exploration of EurAsia

 

 

REPORT ON THE FOURTH ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION AT VARDANZE (ANCIENT VARDĀNA),

BY THE WEST SOGDIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPEDITION

 

(2012)

 

  

Silvia Pozzi

 

With contributions by J. Mirzaahmedov, Sh. Adylov

and the drawings by S. Mirzaahmedov and M. Sultanova 

 

 

January 2013

 

Preliminary remarks

            The archaeological investigations at the citadel of Vardanze (ancient Vardāna), capital of a small Early Mediaeval principality located on the borderline of the Bukhara oasis, were carried out between September, 29 and November, 5, 2012. The main objective of this campaign was an extensive investigation of the building phase immediately subsequent to the one excavated in 2011. For this purpose the fieldwork focused on the area north of the previously excavated sectors (trenches 1-2), where three contiguous trenches (named trench 3, 4, 5) were laid one by one without separating partitions. In addition, Trench 2, where the upper strata had been investigated in the past years, was deepened and several architectural structures were completely exposed at the total area of 532 m². Besides the excavation, a further objective of the 2012 field season was to update the topographic maps, showing both old and new trenches.

 

Note

All the excavated stratigraphic units (walls, floors, layers, fillings, etc.) were registered with the abbreviation SU (stratigraphic unit) and assigned specific numbers. However, in this report the walls are indicated without the abbreviation in order to facilitate the reading. The dimensions of the walls, when given, appear in this order: thickness, length, and preserved height (H).

 

Excavation

Monumental defensive system

            The most intriguing architectural feature discovered this year is a monumental wall system enclosing the northern side of the residential area (Figg. 2, 4). At the present state of excavation it consists of two parallel walls running along the longitudinal axis of the tepa (E–W). The external wall is 191, 2.7 m thick, the widest wall found so far, and it is built of large mudbricks (43×26×12 cm). Its southern face is still well plastered and has been excavated up to a length of 10 m (Figg. 11, 12). The upper side of the wall lowers towards the north, following the eroded profile of the tepa. The northern extension of trench 5, which was aimed at investigating the width of this wall, revealed several layers of rammed heart (pakhsa). The layers of pakhsa (each layer is 14 cm thick), which alternate irregularly with rows of mudbricks, have been found only on the northern face of the wall. The pakhsa seems to extend to the limits of the citadel, but the structure is disturbed by a wide rubbish dump (SU 199) filled with fragments of fired bricks, a grave (SU 202) and a hole (SU 203) containing fragments of glazed pottery (18^th-19^th centuries AD).

       South of wall 191, at the distance of 4 m, there is wall 29, which is 1.30 m thick. Both walls run parallel to each other for 35 m (Fig. 10). This wall, found at 10-15 cm beneath the surface, is built of mudbricks measuring 42×25×12 cm and it is intersected by two later graves (SU 127-128) in its western section. Its southern side represents the limit of the dwelling area. It was exposed for its entire length and height, down to the floor levels (-2.60, -2.90 m). The northern side was partially exposed, so it is unclear whether the space between the two parallel walls had been used as a corridor. The western part, belonging to trench 5, was excavated down to one metre from the top of the wall but no associated floors were found. The only rammed earth floor found (SU 137, -2.65 m) is located north of wall 29, close to the eastern edge of the excavation field. Three fragments of oinochoe-like[1] juglet rims, dating to 7^th-8^th cent. AD, were found on this floor. A mudbrick structure (SU 147) leaning on the northern face of wall 29 probably belongs to this context as well (Fig. 7). The masonry is clearly visible, but the limits of the structure that slopes down northwards remain unclear. Further investigation could demonstrate if this is a wall reinforcement. The remaining area north of wall 29, excavated only to a depth of 20 cm, has several rows of aligned mudbricks laid against the same wall (Fig. 8). There are several holes cut through these mudbricks (for storage jars?), as well as cesspits (badrab) and water sinks (tashnau). An isolated human skull was also found, buried several centimetres under the surface. The jugs and the jars found in situ (on the spot) demonstrate that this area was in use during the 12^th century, although a greenish glazed dish and a turquoise lamp (chirag) dating to the 18^th century show some sporadic occupation in later periods.

 

Corridors EW and NS

The dwelling area situated to the south from the perimeter wall 29 is divided into two different but related sectors (eastern sector and western sector), whose internal circulation is defined by a T-shaped system of corridors. The NS corridor, 2 m wide and 4.5 m long, forms the proper division between the two sectors and contains a bench (sufa) abutted to the eastern wall 64 (Fig. 9). Proceeding northward, this corridor intersects the EW corridor, while to the south it opened probably into a big hall or a courtyard located to the east of wall 64. The EW corridor (1.20 m wide) runs parallel to wall 29 and it has been presently unearthed for a length of 22.5 m (Fig. 10). This corridor was originally connecting the two sectors, but was later obstructed by two walls (131, 206). In particular, wall 131 (4.8 m long) was built on the junction between the two corridors, closing the passage. At the same time the NS corridor was narrowed by the building of two walls (62 and 174) abutted to wall 66. Thus, the function of the spaces was modified and rooms 6 and 8 remained isolated. It is probable that from the beginning of the 8^th century AD room 8 was definitely abandoned until its re-use in the 12^th century.

 

 

Eastern sector

Room 4

The room measures 1.50x 3.80 m and the perimeter wall 29 constitutes its northern limit (Fig. 13). The eastern wall (27) (4.3x0.43, H: 1.10 m) presents a particular texture called ‘combined brickwork’[2] (mudbricks and pakhsa), frequent in the Early Medieval structures (Fig. 14). In this case the masonry is made by rows of headers (mudbrick size: 40x23x9 cm) separated one from another by layers of pakhsa 6-9 cm thick. The western wall (26), measuring 3.8x0.43, H: 0.80 m, was built with the same technique, and presents a more eroded surface, especially in its southern part. A round hole (Ø: 10 cm), probably built to provide ventilation, pierces the masonry in the upper part. The massive wall 53 (60x110, H: 50 cm) connected to wall 26, represents the southern limit of the room, where there is also an entrance. The cleaning of a partially preserved mudbrick floor (SU 55, -2.50 m) revealed the presence of pottery fragments dating to the 7^th-8^th centuries AD and of a schist millstone scattered in correspondence of the entrance. Another wall (165) was detected under wall 53, demonstrating the existence of a previous building phase. This wall was found also under room 9 and to the east of wall 27 (Fig. 15). We can suppose therefore that in a previous phase rooms 4 and 9 formed a large room, enclosed to the south by wall 165, to the west by wall 113 and to the east by wall 74.

 

Room 9

The room measures 2.5x3.80 m and it is enclosed to the north by perimeter wall 29 (Fig. 16) together with adjacent room 4. The western limit is represented by wall 113 (1.40x3.70, H: 110 m), the east by wall 26 and the southern border by the massive wall 78 (1x2.5, H: 0.80 m, mudbrick size: 37x24x9 cm), now entirely removed from its original location. No associated floor levels have been found. The removal of wall 78 revealed the presence of wall 165 and traces of a floor associated to the same context (SU 138, -3.20 m), and preserved only where bordering wall 113. It seems that this room had no obvious access.

In order to reach the thick layer of fluvial pebbles and sand already detected last year in trench 1, we proceeded with the removal of a layer of compact soil (SU 79) found under floor SU 138 and under walls 26, 113, 156. As expected, this layer covered a pebble layer (SU 82, -3.69 m) levelling the surface before the new walls were built. On closer inspection, the pebble layer proved to be formed by two similar strata. The first one (15 cm thick) contained only a few pebbles while in the second stratum the pebbles were abundant. The provenance of the pebbles is unknown but the large quantity suggests the presence of an ancient river located nearby. The pebbles were laid beginning on the northern side, as demonstrated by the inclination of the layer visible in the western section of trench 1 (2011 excavation). The deepening of room 9 allowed the exact identification of the northern limit of the pebble layer, represented by wall 81 (Fig. 17). The recovery of this wall is particularly important since it represents the deepest and the most ancient architectural feature uncovered this year. In fact, it is probably contemporary to the architectural structures unearthed in 2011 and dating to the 4^th-5^th century AD (see the conclusions).

 

Room 8

This wide room measures 4x3.70 m and it is enclosed to the north by the perimeter wall 29 (Fig. 18). To the east it is delimited by wall 113, to the south by wall 60 (4x0.8, H: 1.40 m) and to the west by wall 104 (2.90x0.95, H: 1.5 m). The entrance is located on the west side and leads directly to the EW corridor. The room was fully excavated, exposing two floor levels. The upper one (SU 120, -2.80 m) is characterized by traces of fire, charcoals and by a rectangular mudbrick structure (SU 125, 0.90x1, H: 0.25 m) located in the north-eastern corner of the room. The lower floor (SU 135, -3.10 m), only partially preserved, was found just in the central and eastern parts of the room. A small probing trench opened in the south-western corner of the room revealed the presence of a pebbles-and-sand layer similar to the one already detected in room 9, confirming a matching stratigraphic sequence.

After the abandonment of the room, which occurred probably in the 8^th century, another occupational phase dating to the 12^th century was recognized. The room, still delimited by the same walls, was converted apparently into an open space. A U-shaped mudbrick bench (SU 110-112)  was detected along the western, northern and eastern walls whilst the central  space of the room was occupied by a trapezoidal mudbrick structure (SU 101) measuring 110x150x180 cm. The stratigraphic sequence of this occupational phase is complicated by the presence of several fire places, pit holes and two drains of significant dimensions and dated to the 12^th-13^th centuries.

 

Room 7

The excavation of this area (Fig. 19), initially interpreted as a room, was very problematic because of a very disturbed stratigraphy. This space (3x3.80 m) is delimited on the east by wall 104, on the north by wall 106 (1.20x5.15, H: 1.22 m) and on the west by wall 64 (1x8.50, H: 1.20 m). On the south, where we expected to find the continuation of wall 60, we identified only a few aligned mudbricks, not enough to confirm the existence of the wall. Moreover, the presence of the EW corridor to the north from room 7 reinforced our hypothesis according to which this area could be part of a wider hall located east of wall 64.

Under a layer close to the surface (SU 80) and containing many ceramic fragments, two deep pit holes of irregular form (SU 100, 108) were excavated. The pit holes filled almost the whole room and destroyed the surrounding walls in several points. A remarkable amount of ceramic fragments and jewellery, mixed with soft soil and pebbles (debris?) were found inside the pit holes. A precise identification of the shapes of the holes has been proven difficult by the softness of the soil  contained in both the fillings and it is not excluded a contamination of the materials. Under the holes there was a compact layer of soil (SU 117) containing several small finds and a copper coin. The deepening of this layer revealed the foundations of walls 64, 104 and 106. These walls were built on foundations (SU 123-124-217) made of compact clay and built directly on a pebbles-and-sand layer (SU 122), similar to the pebble layers already recognized under rooms 8 and 9. The foundations are not present in clay walls of this kind and the walls are usually built directly on top of the natural soil. We can therefore assume that the construction of foundations depended on the presence of pebbles layers in the walls and was aimed to offer a more stable support to the later walls. No floor level has been identified in this room.

A similar stratigraphy was detected in the EW corridor situated to the north of this area. A deep pit hole (SU 99) containing ceramic fragments and small objects was identified in the corridor. The underlying layer of compact soil (SU 118) contained several small finds as well, including a chalcedony seal.

 

Western sector

Room 6

The room measures 2.70x2.6 m and it is enclosed by walls 66 (7.9x1.20, H: 1.3 m), 67 (5.2x1.2, H: 1.5 m), 69 (13.3x1, H: 1.4 m) and 68 (3.5x1.30, H:1.77 m) (Fig. 20). The entrance is located on the northern side and opens into the EW corridor. Wall 211 was built at a later date against the western wall. The room contains a mudbrick bench (0.57 m wide, H: 0.25) only partially preserved.

 

Rooms 10-11-12

Room 12 measures 3.80x4 m and is enclosed by walls 68, 69, 181 (3.8x0.9, H: 1.30 m) and 182 (4.5x1.10, H: 1 m) (Fig. 21). The clearance of the related earthen floor SU 194 (-3.25 m) revealed a substantial quantity of big pebbles (10 cm long) laid in the north-eastern corner of the room. Contrary to the layers uncovered in the eastern sector, here the pebbles are not mixed with sand and they abut an earthen structure (197) found under the floor SU 194 as well. Further researches could reveal the exact nature of these features.

In a subsequent building phase the room was filled with a layer of compact soil (SU 193), on top of which it was built partition wall 183 (0.40x3.90, H: 0.5 m). This wall was made by rows of headers (mudbrick measure: 40x23x9 cm), some of them not well distinct because of the erosion of the lateral surfaces. Three round holes (Ø: 6 cm) characterize the upper part of the wall and were used probably for ventilation or for hanging foodstuff. Wall 183 divided the previous room 12 into two smaller rooms, labelled respectively 10 (1.80x3.90 m) and 11 (3.80x1.80 m) and featuring flattened floors SU 178 and SU 189. The second floor, showing traces of fire, was laid on a layer of compact soil (SU 195) containing fragments of moulded khum with dark slip (6^th-7^th century AD). The entrance to these rooms were not found but we hypothesize the presence of a passage in the eastern part of wall 69, where it is visible a sort of pit hole, still not investigated.

In the following building phase, other two walls (188-190) were built in room 11, narrowing the surface furthermore (3x1.60 m). The mudbrick wall 188 (5x1.1, m) was built on the previous partition wall, 183, and on wall 182, while wall 190 (1.10x0.40, H: 0.09 m), made with only one row of headers, was built between walls 188 and 68. During this phase wall 68 was plastered again (plaster is 10 cm thick). It is noteworthy the presence of an iron arrowhead dating to the beginning of the 8^th century, discovered under wall 188.  The last occupational phase is represented by a round cesspit (SU 180, Ø:1 m, H: 1.2) cutting the wall 183. The filling is made of a compact layer of greenish soil, which contained several fragments of a wheel-made khum dating to the 12^th century AD. One fragment carries an incised inscription in Arabic (recognized the letter –ah).

 

Courtyard

The investigation of the area to the south from rooms 4-12 revealed a wide-open space or a courtyard, probably leading to the entrance of the palace. This area was delimited on the west by wall 218 (3x1.2, H: 0.36 m), on the north by the walls 216 (1.37x0.60 m, H: 0.7 m) and 182, while on the east  it was enclosed by wall 66. The 17^th century furnace uncovered in 2010 and abutted to wall 182 has not been removed yet. The southern side reaches the limits of the excavation. A related compacted floor (SU 185, -3.00) was identified on the surface delimited by the walls. The presence of wavy gaps (2-3 cm wide) on the western part of the floor remains unclear (channels made by the streaming of pluvial water?)  (Fig. 22).

 

Upper levels

As already mentioned, the upper levels investigated during the 2012 campaign refer to an occupational phase dating to the 12^th-13^th centuries AD. The main evidences consist of ashy areas, pit holes, cesspits (badrab) and drains (tashnau) made by one or more inverted jars buried into the ground (Figg. 23, Pls. 14, 17). These features were often grouped close to each other, demonstrating the preference for specific areas. The absence of relevant architectural remains suggests that the pre-existent structures were re-used with limited new building activity.

Several burials were also found in different areas of the excavated trenches. Two of them, clearly identified as Muslim graves thanks to the northward orientation, were built excavating an oval subterranean chamber into the ground (Fig. 24). Another type of burial, found on the same year, consists of oval holes 30-40 cm deep, very simple, unadorned and probably produced very quickly. The graves intersect the levels dating to the 12^th-13^th centuries, suggesting that the citadel became a graveyard at a late period. Currently there are not enough elements to propose a more precise dating considering also the absence of grave goods.

 

Finds

During the 2012 campaign we selected a total of 167 finds to be catalogued, among them potsherds and small finds in bronze, iron, glass, bone and stone. Each find was recorded in an inventory and both photographed and drawn. The ceramic finds, mostly fragmented, can be divided into two chronological groups: the Early Medieval pottery (6^th-8^th centuries AD) and the Medieval pottery (12^th-beg. 13^th centuries AD). Since the citadel was not inhabited between the 9^th and the 11^th centuries, accordingly no ceramic vessels belonging to this intermediate period were found, except for a few fragments of glazed lamps dating to the 9^th- 10^th centuries AD. Some later vessels dated to the 18^th-19^th centuries were recorded as well.

Among the Early Medieval pottery, mostly found in the layers formed following the abandonment of the citadel, two distinct groups were identified. The most ancient group is dated to the beginning of the 6^th- first half of the 7^th centuries AD, while the second group dates to the second half of the 7^th- beginning of the 8^th centuries AD. The first group does not show evidence of many types of vessels: it consists mainly of large moulded jars (khum) used for storage purposes (Pl. 1). After analysing the fragments, we propose that these rough vessels were formed by an ovoidal body and that they were often cooked only partially (as suggested by the variable colour, reddish-greenish). In some cases, the external surface presents a white slip on which a red or black slip is applied forming irregular streaks along the body. The rims are barely protruding and the necks, not pronounced, are usually decorated with one or two rows of finger marks (straight or oblique). These decorations are typical of the Kaunchi pottery[3], in particular with the production of the 4^th-5^th centuries AD. The nomadic culture of Kaunchi was widespread in the Sir Darya area since the 2^nd -1^th centuries BC and survived until the 7^th century AD influencing the ceramic production of the neighbouring regions such as the Bukhara oasis, where the pottery of this type is called of ‘Kizil Kir’ type[4].

The second Early Medieval complex (second half of the 7^th- beginning of the 8^th centuries AD) presents a more diversified range of  shapes, among them large and small khums, pots, jugs used for household purposes, cups, basins and goblets (Pl. 6). Many of the larger khums were prepared on a potter’s wheel and the rims present rounded or triangular sections (Pl. 2). The necks, more pronounced than in the preceding pottery, are decorated by finger impressions and elongated incisions, slightly oblique[5]. In the smaller vessels the external surface is often covered with a white-yellow slip and it is decorated with a red slip forming irregular streaks along the body (Pls. 3-5). The dominant decoration of the small jars, however, consists in rows of wavy lines (pointed or rounded) incised with a sharp stick, a well-known motif widespread also in other contemporary Sogdian centres[6]. In two exemplars of small jars, the rim presents an inset for the lid and the neck is pierced probably for hanging. Another type of decoration, typical of the small jars with an reverted globular rim, consists in small oblique dots and wavy lines incised on the sharp edge between the neck and the shoulder (Pl. 5).

Several examples of jugs were recovered this year. The jugs may or may not have a handle and they are usually made with a pale reddish clay, covered with a white slip (Pl. 7). The beak (Ø: 11-14 cm ca) presents a straight rim with rectangular section, slightly concave on the external side. In one exemplar, a petal-like ornament decorates the bottom part of the handle and of the spout located under the neck (Pl. 8). It is probable that this particular decoration, unknown before, represents a peculiar local motif. Lastly, the discovery of some fragments of ‘oinochoe-like’ juglets deserves to be mentioned. The juglets were found all outside perimeter wall 29 (Pl. 9). These vessels are made of a light red-orange clay and they are decorated with a fine white-red slip[7].

To conclude, we can recognize two different trends in the local pottery production between the 6^th and the 8^th centuries AD. The first one is based on the classic Sogdian tradition and it presents close analogies with the contemporary complexes of the whole Sogd. The second type of production, technically inferior, was influenced by the Kaunchi culture, as shown by the recurrent ornamental features. If we compare the local Early Medieval pottery with the production of the other settlements and villages in the Western Sogd[8], we can see a more intense influence of the Kaunchi in the vessels of Vardāna. It is not surprising, since Vardāna was situated on the borderline between the sedentary area and the steppe, a territory under the control of the nomadic populations.

The chronological complex of ceramics dating to the 12^th century AD is represented mostly by large khums and jugs found superimposed in canalization systems (tashnau). The khums are wheel-made and present an ovoid body often covered with a white slip (Pl. 13). The rim of the larger khums (Ø: 25 cm) is usually straight while in the smaller vessels it presents an inset for the lid or an external groove, probably used for functional purposes (to tie a fabric used as lid?) (Pl. 15, inv. 127-152).  The rims are usually not decorated, or otherwise they present a simple ribbon motif. Incised or stamped decorations are generally concentrated on the shoulder, in form of concentric lines or wavy motifs. The latter design, still in use since the Early Medieval period, is then more stylized and approaches comb-like patterns (Pls. 14-16). Continuity in production can be recognized also in the red slip applied to the body to form irregular streaks, which remains in use in the later period.

A large assemblage of  lids (Ø: 32-34 cm), mostly wheel-made and used to cover the jars, has been found (Pl. 18-20). Some of the lids are covered with a white slip and the surface is decorated with incisions or stamped decorations. The incised decorations are mainly geometric and stylized, showing similarities with the motifs on the storage vessels. Among the stamped decorations are both geometric and elegant vegetal motifs. All the lids date to the 12^th century AD, except for a fragment showing an incised tree-motif (Pl. 18, inv. 18). This lid could be earlier, as suggested by some ceramics from Paykend, which are characterized by a similar motif called the ‘tree-of life’[9]. It is interesting to note that this decoration is also very common on the ossuaries from Sogd and the neighbouring regions[10].

A large assemblage of cooking pots has been found inside pit hole SU 100 (room 7).  Most of the vessels are wheel-made and do not carry any decoration (Pl. 11). The clay contains small inclusions and the predominant colour is grey. The rim shards (Ø: 13-20 cm) can be divided into four general groups even if they are irregular: inverted rims with an elongated section (Pl. 11, inv. 95, 103, 104); reverted rims with round section (Pl. 11, inv. 97, 99, 100); reverted rims with an inset for the lid (Pl. 11, inv. 96, 107); reverted rims with a flattened upper part (Pl. 11; inv. 98, 105, 106). A particular inverted rim with vertical body has also been found (Pl. 11, inv. 101).

A varied ceramic assemblage dating to the 12^th century –beginning of the 13^th century AD was discovered in the large pit hole SU 23 during the 2011 campaign, but some vessels were reconstructed and then catalogued only this year. The assemblage contained mostly egg-shaped juglets with funnel-like rim, but there is also an ovoid jar, two small table pots  decorated with thin incisions, a cooking pot and a lid (Pls. 25-28). All the fragments present traces of a later fire that interested only the material found in the pit hole (see 2011 report).

The glazed pottery dating to the 12^th century AD consists of a few fragments of turquoise plates, a small fragment of a lamp and a fragment of a whitish plate decorated with radial motif (Pls. 21-24). The pottery dating to the 18^th-19^th AD centuries includes a glazed greenish plate decorated with scratched stylized motifs, a yellowish plate decorated with brownish ‘zangir’ motifs, a glazed turquoise lamp, a small glazed yellowish plate and a pale brownish cup, decorated with stylized motifs.

A conspicuous assemblage of metal artefacts was found this year and it includes iron weapons, bronze ornaments and a copper coin (Pls. 29-31). Among the weapons are a sickle of uncertain dating (12^th century?) and an arrowhead[11] dated to the beginning of the 8^th century AD. A copper coin pertaining to the ‘Asbar series’ was discovered in room 7 under the layers formed following the abandonment of the site and it is of great importance for dating the structures. Slightly scyphate, on the obverse it is still discernible the portrait of the king, unusually facing left, while on the reverse it is represented a stylized fire altar on the Bukharan tamgha[12]. The Sogdian legend usually present on these coins[13] identifies the king as Asbar, probably a local Bukharan ruler whose kingdom has not been recognized yet. These coins were often used in the Bukhara oasis as small change for the silver Bukhar-Khudah drachmas and they are probably dated to the 6^th-first half of the 7^th centuries AD[14].

The set of unearthed bronze ornaments is very varied and includes several rings (signet rings or with gemstone insets), bracelets and bells (Pls. 29-31). The dating of these artefacts is controversial and complicated by the recurrence of the forms and the decorations through the centuries. However, after comparing the artefacts with those from Penjikent[15], we can suggest a probable dating of some finds.  The decorated bracelet (inv. 77) could be dated to the end of the 7^th century, the circular earrings (inv. 115-116) to the first half of the 8^th century, while the earring decorated with a rolled surface (inv. 163) is probable dated to the end of the 8^th century. The bells[16] (inv. 61, 69, 71, 79) are very similar to the ones found at Penjikent and are dated to the end of the 7^th - 8^th centuries AD. For the remaining bronze artefacts we do not have comparative material available and therefore our suggested dating is based considering the dates of other dated finds found in the same stratigraphic contexts (8^th century or 12^th century AD). Similarly, glass past beads and cowry shells, probably employed as ornaments in bracelets, necklaces or to adorn female dresses[17] (Pl. 32), are dated in the same manner with uncertainty.

The bone artefacts unearthed this year, three in total, consist of a round button decorated with circular stamped motifs and two objects of unknown use, found in separated contexts and probably dated to the 8^th century AD (Pl. 33). The tubular object (inv. 135), probably in ivory, is of significant interest. It is perforated in the central part and the shape is troncoconical. The smoothed surface presents incised parallel lines and probably this find is the central part of a larger object, composed at least by three pieces, as suggested by the recesses on the edges.

Among the glass finds, we wish to mention some fragments of green pots and the rim of a pale blue cup, probably dated to the 12^th century AD[18] (Pl. 34). It is also worth mentioning the discovery of several fragments of glasses used in stained glass windows[19] and dating to the 12^th century as well. In the Medieval period, the stained glasses were often used especially in religious buildings. They were made by circular glasses hold together by strips of gypsum. In the wealthiest buildings, each glass could differ in colour from the others, while the glasses found in Vardanze are all green, slightly different only in the hue.

The last category of artefacts consists of two chalcedony finds: a broken signet ring with oval flap (8th century AD?) and a seal dating to the Sasanian period, which is being studied separately.

 

Conservation activities

Partial back-filling of the excavated trenches

The Uzbek rules on the conservation of archaeological sites require the partial back-filling of the excavated trenches at the end of every campaign of excavation. In the 2012 fieldwork this activity was carried out on the last day of the excavations, using the soil coming from the spoil heaps located near the trenches. Particular attention was given to the top of the walls and to the floors, which were protected with 10-20 cm of soil (Fig. 26).

 

Metal finds

The significant amount of bronze and iron artefacts found during this field season has requested the services of a specialized conservator who cleaned the artefacts from the rust and recomposed the broken finds. His work allowed to reveal the details of each object, as it has been the case of the previously unreadable Asbar coin (Fig. 25).

 

Diagnostic survey

An accurate visual analysis of the external walls of the citadel was carried out in order to register the current deterioration patterns of the masonry[20].  The monitoring of the structures needs to be carried out every year and it could represent a helpful activity for conservation purposes. We have recorded the main signs of deterioration found on the walls of the citadel. These can be summarized as follows (Figg. 27-28):

Erosion: the surface of the walls manifests a general erosion, mainly due to the rainwater washing. The original top is missing in most walls or it has been transformed in a hard crust of amorphous clay. This fact has caused in some cases the loss of the original vertical profile of the walls. On the southern wall and in the central part of the northern wall the erosion interests in particular the top, as testified by the marked sloping of the top surface into the sides. On the remaining walls, the erosion is evident especially at the base, characterized by frequent coving (undercutting). Missing mudbricks and exposed brickwork are commonplace as well. Accumulations of debris all around the citadel demonstrates the progressive deterioration of the architectural structures.

Water channels: several vertical cracks (gullies) due to the rain flow are present in particular on the eastern and northern walls. We suggest that in origin some of them could have been architectural elements of the wall surface (flutings?), especially the deepest channels (0.20 m wide and 1 m deep).

Collapse of architectural structures: the erosion produced by weathering contributes to the progressive weakening and to the consequent structural failure of the architectural structures, as it has happened in the south-western corner of the citadel, where a consistent portion of wall has collapsed recently. The masonry on the north-western corner of the citadel is completely exposed as well and the architectural components well visible.

Animal, insects and human damage: Many holes of small and large dimensions (10-30 cm wide), caused by insects and birds, are widespread particularly on the eastern, northern and western walls. Artificial damage has been recognised as well and it is mainly due to habits of the local visitors. They often prefer to climb the citadel walking through a wide water channel located in the south-eastern corner, rather than use the stepped access, aggravating the erosion of the structures.

 

Conclusions

            The 2012 archaeological investigations at the citadel of Vardanze (ancient Vardāna) exposed a vast dwelling area, probably part of the last residence of the Vardān Khudah. The area, divided into two sectors by a T-shaped system of corridors, is delimited on the north by two monumental walls, the external and thicker one forming the proper fortification. Seven rooms of different dimensions were unearthed along the internal monumental wall. Their functional interpretation, still unclear, suggest their use as service units of the palace rather than as royal quarters. The architectural structures date to the 6^th–8^th centuries AD, a date produced from the analysis of the building techniques employed as well as the ceramic and numismatic artefacts found. This long occupation is characterized by at least two building phases, as demonstrated by the traces of reconstruction that changed only slightly the initial layout probably at the beginning of the 8^th century AD. The rooms are built on top of a previous architectural phase[21], probably dated to the 4^th-5^th centuries AD, and are separated from it by an interlayer of fluvial pebbles and sand 3 m thick. It means that the buildings of the Early Medieval phase were not constructed modifying the pre-existent structures, as it happened in other centres of the Bukhara oasis. The leading authority, probably identifiable with Vardān Khudah, preferred to follow another building plan consisting in the intentional burying of the ancient buildings and elevating the new structures of the citadel on top of them.

            The archaeological data points to an interruption of the inhabitation in the citadel between the 9^th and the 11^th century AD. During that time the citadel was frequented only sporadically. The effective occupation resumed only in the 12^th century AD, as testified by the re-arrangement of some rooms previously abandoned and the re-conversion of specific areas, now used for functional purposes (storage areas, baths, toilets, rubbish dumps). It is probable that this occupational phase lasted until the 13^th century; thereafter the citadel was used only sporadically as graveyard until recent times.

In conclusion, we suggest that the development of Vardāna in the Early Medieval period is in line with the events occurred in the Bukhara oasis, characterized at that time by a widespread building activity[22]. From the 5^th century AD onward, in fact, we assist at the foundation of new towns and at the re-organization of the ancient castles, implementing the defensive systems and sometimes transforming the nearby villages into proper cities (shahristan). The archaeological results confirm both the antiquity of Vardāna and the persistence of its importance throughout the centuries, at least until the 8^th century AD.  This dating is supported by the Medieval chronicles, among those stands out the ‘Tarikh-i Bukhara’ (tr. ‘The history of Bukhara’), compiled by Naršakhī[23]. According to the local historian, in the Early Medieval period Vardāna was the capital of the small Obavija principate, led by the Vardān Khudāh. Such was the prestige that one of its sovereigns is mentioned as an opponent of the Bukhār Khudāh, even usurping his throne for a short time. Naršakhī informs us also of the prolonged resistance of the last ruler of Vardāna after the conquest of the region by the Arabs, in year 709 AD. This last fact would explain the occupation of the citadel until the 8^th century  AD, as well as the abandonment occurred in the same century.

The local ceramic tradition seems to confirm that this was a frontier settlement. Here the classic Sogdian style coexists with a foreign influence identifiable as the Kaunchi culture style. The foreign influences are mostly evident in the pottery of the 6^th-7^th centuries AD, but they have been detected also in vessels produced in the following centuries. The commercial vocation attributed to this place by the Medieval chronicles[24] may explain the peculiar nature of the local pottery, which mixes different cultural styles, suggesting that the inhabitants of Vardāna often hosted foreign visitors, and these were not always hostile and instead they were often commercial partners.

 

 

 

Bibliography

 

 

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BELENITSKI, A. M., BENTOVIČ, I. B., BOL’ŠAKOV, O. G. (1973), Srednevekovyj gorodov Srednej Azii, Leningrad.

 

BRYKINA, G. A. (ed.) (1999), Srednjaja Azija i Dal’nyi Vostok v epochu srednevekov’ja, Moskva.

 

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FILANOVIČ, M.I. (1983), Kul’tura drevnebukarskogo oazisa III-VI vv. N. E., Tashkent.

 

FODDE, E., WATANABE, K., FUJII, Y. (2007), ‘Preservation of Earthen Sites in Remote Areas: the Buddhist Monastery of Ajina Tepa, Tajikistan’,  Tim Williams (ed.), Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites, vol. 9 n. 4, London, pp. 194-218.

FRYE, R. N. (1954), The History of Bukhara, Translated from a Persian Abridgment of the Arabic Original by Narshakhī, Cambridge (Mass.)

GRENET, F. (1996), 'Crise et sortie de crise en Bactriane-Sogdiane aux IV-V siecle: de l'heritage antique a l'adoption de modeles sassanides', Convegno internazionale sul tema: La Persia e l'Asia Centrale da Alessandro al X secolo, Roma, pp. 367-390.

 

ISAKOV, A. I (1977), Citadel drevenego Penjikenta, Dushambe.

 

LEVINA, L. M. (1971), Keramika Nizhnei i srednei Syrdar’i, v I tys. n. e., Moskva.

 

LO MUZIO, C. (2009), ‘Note archeologiche sull’oasi di Bukhara’, C. Silvi Antonini, Dj. K. Mirzaachmedov (eds.), Gli Scavi di Uch Kulakh (Oasi di Bukhara), Rapporto Preliminare, 1997-2007, Pisa-Roma, pp. 17-40.

 

MUKHAMEJANOV, A.R., ADYLOV, SH., MIRZAAHMEDOV, J.K., SEMENOV, G.L. (1988), Gorodishe Paykend, k probleme izuchenia Srednevekovogo goroda Sredni Azii, Tashkent.

 

MUKHAMEJANOV, A. R., MIRZAACHMEDOV, J. K., ADYLOV, S. (1983), ‘Keramika nižnich sloev Bukhary’, IMKU, 17, Tashkent, pp. 81-97.

 

NIL’SEN, V. A. (1966), Stanovlenie feodal’noj architektury Srednej Azii (V-VIII vv.), Tashkent.

 

RASPOPOVA, V. I (1980), Metalliceskie izdelia rannesrednevekovogo Sogda, Leningrad.

 

RASPOPOVA, V. I. (1999), Metalliceskie isdelia iz Pendjikenta, S. Peterbug.

 

RASPOPOVA, V. I., ŠIŠKINA, G.V. (1999), ‘Sogd’, G. A. Brykina (ed.), Srednjaja Azija i Dal’nyi Vostok v epochu srednevekov’ja, Moskva, pp. 50-77.

 

SAVCHENKO, A. (2010), Excavation at Vardanze (Wardana), Excavation Report, August-September 2009. Available at http://www.exploration-eurasia.com/EurAsia/inhalt_english/frameset_projekt_0.html

 

SAVCHENKO, A. (2011), Citadel of Wardana (Vardanze-tepa), Excavations Report, July-August 2010. Available at http://www.exploration-eurasia.com/EurAsia/inhalt_english/frameset_projekt_0.html

 

SAVCHENKO, A. (2012), Citadel of Wardana (Vardanze-tepa), Excavations Report, Autumn 2011. Available at http://www.exploration-eurasia.com/EurAsia/inhalt_english/frameset_projekt_0.html

 

SEMENOV, G. L., MIRZAAHMEDOV, D. K. (2005), Raskopki v Paykende v 2004 g.,  Material’i Bukharskoi Archeologhiceskoi Expedizii (MBAE), v. VI, Sankt-Peterburg.

 

SEMENOV, G. L., MIRZAAHMEDOV, D. K. (2006), Otchot o raskopkax v Paykende v 2005 g., Material’i Bukharskoi Archeologhiceskoi Expedizii (MBAE), v. VII, Sankt-Peterburg.

 

SEMENOV, G. L., MIRZAAHMEDOV, D. K. (2007), Otchot o raskopkax v Paykende v 2006 g., Material’i Bukharskoi Archeologhiceskoi Expedizii (MBAE), v. VIII, Sankt-Peterburg.

 

SILVI ANTONINI et al. (2010), ‘Gli scavi di Uch Kulakh (Uzbekistan). Campagne 2008-2009’, F. Serra (ed.), Rivista degli Studi Orientali, vol. LXXXII, 2009, Pisa-Roma, pp. 59-95.

 

SILVI ANTONINI, C. (2009), ‘La ceramica e altri reperti’, C. Silvi Antonini, Dj. K. Mirzaachmedov (eds.),  Gli Scavi di Uch Kulakh (Oasi di Bukhara), Rapporto preliminare, 1997-2007, Pisa-Roma, pp.137-164.

 

TORGOEV, A. I, MIRZAAHMEDOV, D. K. (2011), Otchot o raskopkax v Paykende v 2009-2010 g., Material’i Bukharskoi Archeologhiceskoi Expedizii (MBAE), v. XI, Sankt-Peterburg.

 

ZEJMAL’, E.V. (1994), ‘The circulation of coins in Central Asia during the Early Medieval period’,  B. A. Litvinskii, C. Altman Bromberg (eds.), Bulletin of Asia Institute, ‘The Archaeology & Art of Central Asia, Studies from the Former Soviet Union’, vol. 8, pp. 254-267.

 

 

 

 

Figures

 

 

 

Fig. 1 Plan of the citadel of Vardanze.

 

Fig. 2 Vardanze citadel, plan of the 2012 excavation.

 

 

 

Fig. 3 Sections East-West 9-9 and 9¹-9¹. (26) mudbrick wall; (27) mudbrick wall; (29) mudbrick wall; (49) cut for pit hole used for water sink; (53) mudbrick structure; (60) mudbrick wall; (61) filling of soil; (62) mudbrick wall; (64) mudbrick wall; (66) mudbrick wall; (67) mudbrick wall; (68) mudbrick wall; (69) mudbrick wall (74) mudbrick wall; (76) trodden floor; (79) layer of soil; (81) mudbrick wall; (82) layer of pebble and sand; (94) cut of pit hole used for water sink; (106) mudbrick wall; (113) mudbrick wall; (122) layer of pebble and sand; (123-124)  layer of compact clay, used as foundation of walls 104-106; (125) rectangular mudbrick structure; (130) trodden floor; (147) mudbrick structure; (165) mudbrick wall; (173) bench; (174) mudbrick partition wall; (175) bench; (181) mudbrick wall; (182) mudbrick wall; (183) mudbrick wall; (193) layer of soil; (194) trodden floor; (196) layer of pebbles; (197) layer compact soil; (204) mudbrick wall; (211) mudbrick wall (2^nd phase of wall 68); (212) trodden floor; (215) trodden floor; (217) layer of compact clay, used as foundation of wall 64.

 

 

Fig. 4 Sections North-South 8-8 and 8¹-8¹. (29) mudbrick wall; (69) mudbrick wall; (135) filling; (180) cut of pit hole; (181) mudbrick wall; (183) partition mudbrick wall; (182) mudbrick wall; (185) trodden floor; (186) furnace (188) mudbrick wall; (191)mudbrick monumental wall; (192) layer containing adobe rows; (193) layer of soil; (194) trodden floor; (201) cut of pit hole; (206) mudbrick wall plug; (213) trodden floor; (216) mudbrick wall; (218) mudbrick wall.


Fig. 5 Sections North-South 7-7 and 7¹-7¹. (26) Mudbrick wall; (29) Mudbrick wall; (79) layer of soil; (81) mudbrick wall; (82) layer of pebble and
sand; (113) mudbrick wall; (137) trodden floor; (147) mudbrick structure; (148) layer containing aligned mudbricks; (165) mudbrick wall.

 

 
Fig. 6 General view of the excavation (view from east side).

Fig. 7 From left to right: rooms 4, 9 and 8, delimited on the northern side by wall 29 (view from the north-western side).

 

Fig. 8 Room 8, delimited on its northern side by wall 29. In the foreground there are the remaining of aligned mudbricks layers, cut by 12^th century pit holes (view from the northern side).

 

Fig. 9 General view of the NS corridor and of the western sector of the palace (view from the northern side).

Fig. 10 General view of the excavation. From left to right: the perimeter fence wall 191, wall 29 and the internal corridor (view from the western side).



Fig. 11 Monumental walls 191 and 29 (view from the north-western side).


Fig. 12 Monumental wall 191 (view from the south-western side)


Fig. 13 Room 4 (view from the northern side)


Fig. 14 Room 4: wall 26, particular of ‘combined’ brickwork.


Fig. 15 Room 4: wall 165, under structure 153 (view from the west side); on the right: wall 74, under the eastern limit of the excavation (view from the northern side).


Fig. 16 Room 9, wall 26 (view from the western side).

Fig. 17 Room 9: wall 29 cut by the circular pit hole used for the canalization system (tashnau); wall 81 is in the foreground (view from the southern sid


Fig. 18 Room 8: drain SU 89 (view from the north-western side).


Fig. 19 Room 7 and part of the EW corridor (view from the northern side).


Fig. 20 Room 4 (view from the northern side).

 

Fig. 21 Rooms 10 and 11. On the right side it is visible the layer of pebbles found under floor 194 (view from the southern side).

Fig. 22 Western sector, courtyard. Compacted floor SU 185 cut by the pit hole SU 201 (view from the southern side).


Fig. 23 From left to right: room 9, drain SU 48; room 8, drains SU 89 and SU 95.


     
Fig. 24 Grave SU 32, in the eastern part of the excavation.

 

Fig. 25 Asbar copper coin (inv. n° 60) and bronze earring (inv. n° 116) before and after conservation.

Fig. 26 Partial back-filling of the excavated trenches at the end of the excavation.

 Fig. 27 Left to right, top to bottom: (1) Southern wall: exposed mudbrick texture; (2) southern wall: erosion due to the passage of local people; (3) eastern wall: particular of a bird nest; (4) eastern wall: general view; (5) eastern wall: missing mudbricks; (6) eastern wall: particular of the cracks; (7) eastern wall: erosion at the base of the structure (coving); (8) northern wall: general view.

 Fig. 28 Left to right, top to bottom: (1) Northern wall: central sloping; (2) northern wall: gullies, bird nests and missing brickwork at the base of the architectural structure; (3) north-western corner: missing mudbricks and coving; (4) north western corner: particular of the architectural components; (5) western wall: general view; (6) south-western corner: collapse of  the wall; (7) southern wall: exposed brickwork; (8) entrance tower: erosion of the surface.


Fig. 29 Research staff at work.


Fig. 30 Team workers.


Fig. 31 Our topographer shooting the final pictures.


Fig. 32 Our field assistants at work.


Plates

Plate 1 Fragments of moulded jars (khum) decorated with rows of finger marks and black slip painted on the surface. (6^th-7^th centuries AD)


Plate 2 Fragments of moulded jars (khum) decorated with finger marks impressions and elongated motifs. The fragment 22 shows also decoration obtained with a red slip on the shoulder. (7^th- 8^th centuries AD)




Plate 3 Fragments of small jars (khum-cha). Typical decoration consisting of wavy lines (pointed or rounded) incised on the shoulder. (7^th-8^th centuries AD)



Plate 4 Fragments of small jars (khum-cha). Typical decoration consisting of wavy lines (pointed or rounded) incised on the shoulder and red slip on the surface. (7^th-8^th centuries AD)



Plate 5 Fragments of small jars (khum-cha). Typical decoration consisting in wavy lines and dotted motifs incised on the shoulder. (7^th-8^th centuries AD)



Plate 6 (37)Wheel-made goblet; (57)fragment of wheel-made bowl; (88)fragment of unknown ceramic object (handle?);  (28) fragment of small basin (tagora) decorated with black slip. (7^th-8^th centuries AD)



Plate 7 Fragments of wheel-made storage jus (7^th-8^th centuries AD).



Plate 8 Fragments of decorated jug with spout, probably belonging to the same vessel (7^th-8^th centuries AD).

 Plate 9 Fragments of oinochoe-like juglets. (7th-8th centuries AD)

 
Plate 10 (161) Fragment of decorated spout, belonging to a juglet; (124) bottom part of a mercury bowl (sim-op); (84) fragment of flower-like spout, belonging to a juglet; (83) fragment of decorated handle; (53) fragment of moulded handle; (62) ceramic spindle-whorl; (92) rim of globular storage pot; (93) rim of small pot decorated with red slip; (94) rim of small pot decorated with black slip; (56) fragment of jug decorated with appliquéd motifs; (54-32) rims of cooking pots; (80) fragment of small pot decorated with incised lines; (87) rim of a small jar. (12^th century AD)



Plate 11 Fragments of cooking pots. (12^th century AD)



Plate 12 (151) Fragment of wheel-made khum showing Arabic inscription; (165) fragment of basin (tagora). (12^th century AD)



Plate 13 Egg-shaped khum, found deposed upside down on the ground; it was used as drain (tashnau). Geometric stamped motifs on the shoulder. (12^th century AD)



Plate 14 (131) Egg-shaped jug; (132) cylindrical tube (kubura), both used as drains (tashnau). (12^th century AD).

 
Plate 15 Big jars (khum) found upside down on the ground and used as drains (tashnau). The jars 152-127 present traces of a red slip. (12^th century AD)


Plate 16 (47) Egg-shaped jug decorated with incised wavy lines and a string-like motif on the neck; (153) egg-shaped jar (khum) decorated with incised wavy lines and red slip. Both found upside down on the ground and used as drains (tashnau). (12^th century AD)


Pl. 17 (128-129) Egg-shaped jugs, used as drain; (130) large jar used as drain. (12^th century AD)



Plate 18 (150) Fragment of lid decorated with incised wavy lines and finger marks impressions on the rim; (18) fragment of lid decorated with tree-like motif; (156) fragment of lid decorated with wavy lines forming semi-circular motifs. (12^th century AD, except for inv. 18, probably earlier)


Plate 19 Fragments of lids and of a handle of a lid, all decorated with incised and stamped motives. Fragment 158 also has a red slip decoration. (12^th century AD).


Plate 20 (119) Fragment of lid decorated with stamped vegetal motifs; (50) fragment of lid decorated with stamped geometric motifs; (49) fragment of lid decorated with stamped vegetal motif (grape). (12^th century AD)


Plate 21 (90) Fragment of turquoise glazed bowl, decorated with dotted impressions on the backside; (16) fragments of turquoise glazed plate, decorated with concentric decoration in the central part. (12^th century AD)


Plate 22 (35) Fragment of whitish glazed lamp (chirag) (10^th century AD); (36) fragment of greenish glazed lamp (9^th-10^th centuries AD); (108) fragment of turquoise glazed lamp (12^th century AD); (125) fragment of dark greenish glazed lamp (9^th-10^th centuries AD).

 
Plate 23 (141-166) Fragments of greenish glazed plate, decorated with scratched stylized floral motifs (18^th century AD); (147) fragment of a plate with red-brownish slip and black ‘zangir’ motifs, without glazing (18^th century AD); (38) fragments of yellowish glazed plate, decorated with ‘zangir’ and foiled motifs  (18^th century AD).


Plate 24 (149) Turquoise glazed lamp (chirag) (18^th century AD); (162) fragment of pipe (chilum), containing charcoal inside (19^th century AD); 159) fragments of glazed plate ( (18^th century AD); (160) fragments of light-brownish glazed cup, decorated with stylized motifs (18^th century AD); (58) fragment of whitish glazed cup, decorated with radial tree-foil motif (12^th century AD); (89) fragment of whitish glazed plate, decorated with turquoise radial motifs (13^th-14^th centuries AD); (148) fragment of brownish glazed plate, decorated with painted ‘zangir’ and net motifs. (18^th century AD)


Plate 25 (1) Egg-shaped jar; (8) egg-shaped juglet, decorated with concentric lines incised on the shoulder; (2) tear-shaped jug, decorated with cordon-like motif on the neck. (12^th-beg. 13^th centuries AD)



Plate 26 (3) Egg-shaped juglet, decorated with concentric lines incised under the neck (9) egg-shaped juglet. (12^th-beg. 13^th centuries AD)


Plate 27 (13) Bottom part of an egg-shaped juglet, decorated with incised vertical motifs; (12) small pot, decorated with incised vertical motifs and floral decorations; (11) small pot, presenting vertical and oblique decorations. (12^th-beg. 13^th centuries AD)



Plate 28 (10-14) egg-shaped juglet; (7) globular cooking pot; (15) fragment of moulded lid, decorated with stamped and incised motifs. (12^th-beg. 13^th centuries AD).


Plate 29 (78) bronze signet ring with crossed marks on the rhomboidal flap (end of 7^th- beg. 8^th centuries AD?); (68) bronze ring with three gemstone insets (12^th century?); (76) bronze ring with circular inset containing glass past (8^th century?); (41) bronze ring with oval gemstone inset (12^th century?); (114) bronze signet ring with rectangular flap presenting crossed marks (first half of 8^th century?); (113) bronze signet ring (first half of 8^th century AD?); (140) chalcedony ring (8^th century?); (79) bronze bell (end of 7^th – beg. of 8^th centuries AD); (69, 71, 79, 61) bronze bells (8^th century AD?).



Plate 30 (115-116) bronze earrings (first half of 8^th century AD);(45) bronze earring (8^th century?); (70) bronze earring (undated); (64) bronze pendant? (8^th century AD?); (59) bronze ornament? (8^th century AD?); (163) bronze earring (end of 8^th century AD).


Plate 31 (77-39) Bronze bracelets (end of 7^th- beg. 8^th centuries AD); (46) iron sickle (12^th century AD?); (40) fragment of iron knife? (undated); (154) iron arrowhead (beg. of 8^th century AD); (60) Asbar copper coin (first half 6^th- beg. 7^th centuries AD).

 


Plate 32 (117-118, 66, 72) glass beads (8^th century AD?); (137) coral bead (8^th century AD?); (155, 67, 75) cowry shells (8^th century AD?).


Plate 33 (63) bone artefact (unknown use) of pot-like shape, perforated inside (8^th century AD?); (136) bone bead, decorated with impressed circular motifs (8^th century AD?); (135) tubular artefact in ivory (unknown use), perforated in the internal part (8^th century AD?).

 Plate 34 (111-44) Fragments of pale greenish window glasses (12^th century AD?); (73-109) bottom part of glass pots, light turquoise (12^th century AD?); (12) rim of glass cup, bluish colour (12^th century AD?).