Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 18th April 2011, 05:56 PM

Hi Ann,
Its really nice to have you posting here!!!
This is a fascinating but incredibly perplexing question, for me at least

I think the most difficult problem is of course understanding exactly how the term Khazar is meant, and what period or regions are being considered. If I understand correctly, with my meagre compehension of this incredibly complex history, the Khazars disappeared as a culturally distinct people around the 10th-11th century.
As with many cases of these nomadic peoples and tribes who have ultimately diffused into other cultures and groups, there are numerous points of view in finding origins and establishing thier diffusion into other group classifications.

In certain regions they were displaced and assimilated by Rus, Kipchaks, Golden Horde Mongols; in other cases they were allied with varying Byzantine principalities; they were deeply influenced by the Orient as they were in prominent connection with the Silk Road, and very much connected with Transcaucasian and Caucasian regions. All of this as I understand leads to thier heritage present in weapons of the Northern Caucusus, Georgia, Crimea, Armenia, Azerbijian and to the Uyghur, Sabir and Altaic groups of the Steppes.

I apologize if I am confusing what is a straightforward question, but it is a subject I would like to learn more on myself, and very much look forward to the kind of perspective that would develop in your most highly regarded presence. Your work in metallurgy is legion here! and again, I'm very excited to see you posting.

I did think of one reference which if I recall correctly had line drawings of what I believe were captioned as 'Khazar'...that is the two volume set by Dr. David Nicolle, "Arms and Armour of the Crusading Era 1050-1350", 1999. I thought I would mention it for readers as Im sure you are already aware of it.

All very best regards,
Jim

18th April 2011, 05:56 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,746	Hi Ann, Its really nice to have you posting here!!! This is a fascinating but incredibly perplexing question, for me at least I think the most difficult problem is of course understanding exactly how the term Khazar is meant, and what period or regions are being considered. If I understand correctly, with my meagre compehension of this incredibly complex history, the Khazars disappeared as a culturally distinct people around the 10th-11th century. As with many cases of these nomadic peoples and tribes who have ultimately diffused into other cultures and groups, there are numerous points of view in finding origins and establishing thier diffusion into other group classifications. In certain regions they were displaced and assimilated by Rus, Kipchaks, Golden Horde Mongols; in other cases they were allied with varying Byzantine principalities; they were deeply influenced by the Orient as they were in prominent connection with the Silk Road, and very much connected with Transcaucasian and Caucasian regions. All of this as I understand leads to thier heritage present in weapons of the Northern Caucusus, Georgia, Crimea, Armenia, Azerbijian and to the Uyghur, Sabir and Altaic groups of the Steppes. I apologize if I am confusing what is a straightforward question, but it is a subject I would like to learn more on myself, and very much look forward to the kind of perspective that would develop in your most highly regarded presence. Your work in metallurgy is legion here! and again, I'm very excited to see you posting. I did think of one reference which if I recall correctly had line drawings of what I believe were captioned as 'Khazar'...that is the two volume set by Dr. David Nicolle, "Arms and Armour of the Crusading Era 1050-1350", 1999. I thought I would mention it for readers as Im sure you are already aware of it. All very best regards, Jim Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 18th April 2011 at 07:04 PM.