ON THE DATING OF THE DATUNA TEMPLE

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32653/CH193610-622

Keywords:

Dagestan, Sarir, Avar Nutsaldom, Georgia, settlement culture, Orthodox Christianity, church

Abstract

This study addresses several interconnected issues. Primarily, it delves into the challenging task of establishing the construction date of the sole surviving medieval Christian temple within the modern boundaries of Dagestan. Concurrently, it investigates the social dynamics of the settlement that existed alongside the temple during the medieval era. These issues are contextualized within the broader political landscape of the South Caucasus and the strategic maneuvers of the Byzantine Empire in its endeavor, during the mid-10th century, to assert dominance over all Christian churches in the Caucasus. This multifaceted approach enables the reconstruction of a comprehensive historical narrative and offers insights into questions that naturally arise when attempting to address any one aspect of this complex puzzle. In determining the Datuna Temple’s construction timeframe, the study builds upon the dating framework proposed by R. Shmerling, a recognized expert in Georgian church architecture. Additionally, it incorporates newly uncovered or reinterpreted written sources, which, in the author’s view, yields a more precise dating. Through an examination of medieval Armenian, Georgian, Arabic, and local sources, the study arrives at the conclusion that the Datuna Temple’s construction was commissioned by King Sarir (Nutsal of Avaria) Bayar III (Bakhtishor-huasro) in the year 1008. Furthermore, considering subsequent historical developments and sources, the study posits that the Datuna settlement likely served as the winter residence of that ruler, housing individuals from a dependent social class. Consequently, the study provides a comprehensive exploration of political and confessional history, as well as shedding light on the cultural aspects of medieval Dagestan’s settled communities.

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Author Biography

  • Sahban Magomedovic Hapizov, Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnography Dagestan Federal Research Center of RAS
    Cand. Sci., Senior Researcher

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Published

2023-10-29

Issue

Section

History

How to Cite

1.
Hapizov SM. ON THE DATING OF THE DATUNA TEMPLE. ИАЭК. 2023;19(3):610-622. doi:10.32653/CH193610-622