POTTERY PRODUCTION IN MEDIEVAL SARAISHYK: AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS

The article examines the development of ceramic production during the Golden Horde period, focusing on technological and artistic characteristics. Ceramic artifacts from Saraishyq provide evidence, that it was center of trade and craftmanship. The aim is identifying the technological, artistic, and cultural features of polychrome glazed ceramics from the Golden Horde era based on archaeological materials from Saraishyq. The research employs archaeological, comparative-historical, and descriptive methods.The study explores the material composition of ceramic items, glazing and painting techniques, and samples of polychrome ceramics. The use of various processing methods and pigments enhances the aesthetic value of the items and reflects cultural interaction. Influences from Chinese, Iranian, Central Asian, and European cultures are clearly visible in the ceramic art. The artifacts feature vegetal, zoomorphic, and geometric motifs, as well as symbolic representations of paradise gardens typical of Islamic culture. The author reveals the artistic and historical value of ceramic products that merge external influences with local features. A special object is polychrome ceramic fragment with gold foil and red peony motifs. This artifact is a symbolic representation of the paradise garden. The study characterizes the cultural synthesis embodied in Golden Horde ceramics, emphasizing significance through concrete examples of intercultural interaction.