Description
The Turkic-speaking Bulgars living along the Volga River were among the first non-Middle Eastern peoples to convert to Islam. They handed the Mongols their first defeat at the Battle of Samara Bend, but this proved temporary and the Bulgars were incorporated into the Golden Horde. This continued until their ultimate destruction at the hands of Muscovy under Ivan the Terrible. Matthew Barbour explores the history and culture of the Volga Bulgars from AD 700 to 1552.
Matthew Barbour holds BA and MA degrees in anthropology from UNM and works for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. Currently, Barbour is the Deputy Director of New Mexico Historic Sites and the Interim Director of the Office of Archaeological Studies.