The paper addresses the study of the chemical composition of paste used in 26 fragments of sphero-conical vessels from the CC dig of the Bolgar settlement. Complex analytical studies, including optical and electron microscopy, mass spectrometry and emission spectral analysis, were carried out to identify the possible functional purpose of the vessels, as well as to identify potential raw material sources. Areas in the vicinity of the Bolgar settlement were identified, where the composition of the clay is similar to the composition of the ceramic paste. The peculiarity of “mercury — arsenic” ratio in the ceramic clay allowed to make an assumption about their original alchemical nature.

Goals. The article aims to summarize some results of the research into Juketau-group ceramics from the medieval hillfort of Juketau (10th – 13th centuries CE). Results. Archaeological remains of the historically famous Bulgar-Tatar city of Juketau (‘Zhukotin’ according to Russian 10th – 14th century chronicles) are located on the left bank of the Kama River, on the western border of present-day Chistopol (Tatarstan). In the ceramic complex of the settlement, the share of dishes clustering with Juketau-group ceramics constitutes 65–70%. Morphological and technological analyses of this ceramic group have identified a number of distinct pottery production features, namely: the bulk of items examined are samples of handicraft pottery, though with certain archaic elements (round bottoms and individual forms of the ‘lip’ as a functional part of vessels, patching techniques, high concentration of tempers, use of ovens or bonfire devices for pottery firing). The skills of working with a potter’s wheel and a pottery kiln are characteristic of Juketau-group ceramic handicraft production. Conclusions. The study suggests the city of Juketau was a center of highly developed pottery production in the medieval state of Volga Bulgaria.