On February 25, a researcher at the department of museum and educational activities of the Bolgar Museum-Reserve I.D. Muhametshin gave a lecture titled “Medieval cities on the Kama trade route” to the students of the 9th grade of Bolgar secondary school No. 1. The listeners watched a presentation that covered the ancient trade routes along the Volga and Kama rivers.
The Bulgar cities of Dzhuketau and Alabuga played an important role in trade. The Bulgar trading posts on the Kama River continued to function until XIV-XV centuries. The towns of Afkula, Ibyr and Chulman were crucial for collecting taxes and controlling traders along the Kama trade route.
The audience learned about how the composition of the exchange products gradually expanded – from the Urals to Bulgaria and further to the East and West, not only furs, but also ingots of copper and bronze, selected grain, and a product of great value for the early Middle Ages – salt were sent.
The Kama route served not only for direct trade, but also for transit trade. The authorities controlling the trade route were interested in its protection and regulation. The Kama route actively connected different peoples and regions into a single system. Its regulation was a state matter of the Volga Bulgaria. With great interest, the listeners learned about the silver vessels from Iran found in the Prikamye.
17 people attended the lecture.