Archaeological Evidences of Trade Relationship in the Town of Tara in XVII-XIX Centuries

The author analyzed the materials of archeological excavations of the Tara historic center, one of the first Russian towns in Western Siberia founded in 1594. The data demonstrate the development of trade relations in the town. The archaeological materials from archaeological diggings of the Russian towns in Siberia, give us quite complete idea of the development level of trade relations of the Russian state in Western Siberia for the XVII-XVIIIth centuries. The basis of this work was formed by materials of excavation of the historic center of Tara, which were performed by us since 2007. For eight seasons in the historic center of the city a number of religious, administrative and housing and economic complexes were investigated, more than ten thousand artifacts were collected. The author considered specific materials, which are calculating and measuring sticks, weights, trade seals and labels. Calculating sticks allow detecting used systems of the count; in the case of Tara were applied decimal and quaternary systems. Measured sticks also allow defining measuring systems for liquid and dry goods. One of the most interesting categories of the finds from Tara excavations are the trade seals. It is one of the few finds categories, which allows identifying a proprietor and certain goods brought to the place of sale. Finds of trade seals are fixed in the cultural horizons since the middle of the XVIIIth century and practically until the end of the XXth century. In total during the excavations on the town's central square, earlier the marketplace, 4 seals were found. The 10 additional seals are still stored in Tara Historical Museum, where they have got from searchers and collectors. By their the specifics they are divided into commodity seals, which were attached to transit cargoes and stationary - used for sealing of buildings - warehouses and shops. By production material all seals are diverse, judging by structure of metal - for seals were used the most various lead alloys with copper, tin, etc. There are inscriptions on the seals. They are divided by technology into two types - made during the goods' production (while stamping or casting) or imprinted by special nippers while sealing. The trade seals allow transferring archaeological material to a personal level. In conclusion the author summarizes the analysis of materials and concludes on the main directions of trade currents held by Tara in the XVII-XVOI centuries. The archaeological materials rather well illustrate trade history of the town of Tara. They show the specialization in trade relations with China and Central Asia, indicate the specific trade houses of the Russian state, which Tara's merchants concluded agreements. This work, perhaps, will serve as the beginning of actually studying of trade process on archaeological materials.

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