Having completed processing of the obtained technological data, we pass to their historical analysis as the next level of the investigation. It includes comparative analysis of interrelation between the two discussed technological groups. As a result, we present a reconstruction of production traditions developed in certain craft centres and an assessment of preservation or possible changes in the technological priorities, and discuss various factors that influenced the situation.
We have chosen knives as the principal category in the repertoire of blacksmith’s production to solve the discussed problems. This was determined by high volume of technological information these objects contain. The accumulated analytical data concerning different chronological periods clearly evidence that it is the technology of producing knives that most spectacularly mirrors any transformations in social and economic fields. Of importance is also the fact that knives are really the objects of mass production in the blacksmith’s craft. The rest of the blacksmith’s production is taken into account in relation to the general technological characteristic of one or other site.
The analysed materials are considered within three groups of sites. These are: the towns that functioned as princely seats, like Novgorod, Pskov, Tver’ and Moscow; minor towns (Zvenigorod, Torzhok, Kolomna, Rostislavl Ryazansky, Serensk, the Izborsk fortress); rural dwelling sites Myakinino 1 and 2, Nastas’ino, Gryaznovka, Buchalki. The whole corpus of analytical data comprises 1255 analyses. The analytical data obtained by the authors during the recent five years (2000–2005) are published in the Appendix.
The analysis of correlation of the two technological groups in the Golden Horde period demonstrates that technological group II dominated, judging from the materials originating from such urban centres as Novgorod, Pskov and Tver’. This is related to the continuity of the earlier traditions revealed in the materials from Novgorod and Pskov dating from the 10th— 12thcc. The position occupied by Tver’ looks similar, since the Tver’ blacksmith’s craft developed the traditions typical of Northern Rus’.
In Moscow picture is different. Despite the city emerged as an outpost of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, with its blacksmith’s craft following the northern traditions, the Moscow blacksmiths on the early stage (the 12th— 13thcc.) show strongly manifested southern production traditions, clearly expressed by group I. This feature may be explained taking into account the historical evidences concerning the population inflow to Moscow from the southern Russian territories invaded by the Mongols. The production traditions of minor towns (Kolomna, Rostislavl Ryazansky, Torzhok, Serensk, Izborsk) had survived after the Mongol invasion. In connection with the said the situation in Serensk deserves special attention: substantial shifts in the technological priorities of the blacksmith’s craft had taken place there before the town was devastated by the Mongol army, whilst after the town’s revival local craftsmen continued to work in the traditions formed in the early 13thc.
