Research objectives: To consider the creative path and main views of L.T. Yablonsky, as well as his influence on ideas about the ethnic history of the Golden Horde population and theoretical problems of ethnogenesis. Research materials: The authors of the article were based on numerous publications by L.T. Yablonsky, as well as personal impressions from meetings with the researcher on expeditions and at academic conferences. Results and novelty of the research: The authors consider the formation of L.T. Yablonsky as a unique specialist who combined archaeological training and professional study of physical anthropology. This allowed him to draw important conclusions about the formation of the Golden Horde population. Later, he resorted to this method to study the early nomads of the Aral Sea region and the South Urals. His works became an event in the research field, since they positively differed from others not only by an interdisciplinary approach to the problem under study – at the junction of archaeology and ethnogenetics – but also by the wide use of anthropological materials. Prior to these works, all information about the population of the Jochid ulus was fragmentary and unsystematic, and he was the very researcher who first connected the data of paleoanthropology and the analysis of the burial rite in medieval burial grounds. He proved the fact that the Golden Horde population consisted of mixed population groups, and identified those population groups that, in his opinion, came from Central Asia. L.T. Yablonsky attached great importance to the methodology of research on ethnogenesis and ethnic history. He advocated an integrated scientific approach to their study and emphasized the huge role of paleoanthropology and archaeology in solving ethnogenetic problems. In his opinion, the rapid divergence of various scientific disciplines – ethnology, archaeology, physical anthropology, and genetics – was the main problem that hindered the development of scientific ethnogenetic research. L.T. Yablonsky, therefore, believed that expanding comprehensive research would help solve this problem.

The article deals with new archaeological materials concerning one of the objects of the Tsaryovokokshaysk temple complex – the Cathedral of the Resurrection built in 1759. A brief overview of the temple construction at Tsaryovokokshaysk since the founding of the town is presented. On the basis of archival sources and scientific works on the Tsarevokokshaysk temple complex, basic information on the history of the Cathedral of the Resurrection is given, in particular, about the previous wooden temples on the place of the future cathedral, about its construction and further reconstructions, architectural features and parishioners of the church. The second part of the article presents the results of archaeological studies of the foundation of the southern chapel of the cathedral dedicated to the Hieromartyr Feodor, that was carried out in 2021 by Y.A.Zeleneyev. The features of the church architecture that have been traced archaeologically are highlighted, such as the stages of construction and reconstruction of the building, the structure features of the foundation, the dimension of the brick and the order of masonry. Special attention is paid to the heating system of the cathedral revealed during the excavations. Brief information is given on other archaeological sites and artefacts identified during the research of the church. In the course of the study the data of archival sources were confirmed, which, when compared with the results of archaeological studies, give an idea of this object of stone temple architecture of the Mari Krai in the middle of the XVIII century.

The article considers such type of archaeological monuments of Tsarevokokshaysk as historical necropolises. On the territory of the city, the Voskresenski, Entry into Jerusalem, Tikhvin and Troitski historical necropolises have been archaeologically studied. These archaeological sites cover the period from the foundation of the Tsarev town on Kokshaga River to the beginning of the 20th century and they are the burial place of both residents of the town and the surrounding villages. Brief information about historical necropolises, their localization, dating, a brief description of the main features of monuments, funeral rites and inventory are presented.

The article examines the spread of Muslim Kufic coins in Eastern, Western and Northern Europe, on the territory of Volga Bulgaria, Ancient Rus, the neighbours of Bulgars – ancestors of the Mari, Udmurt, Mordva and other Finno-Ugric ethnicities during the early Middle Ages in the 8th – beginning of the 11th centuries. The research of these coins shows the list of countries and Muslim dynasties the above-mentioned countries had trade relations with and their chronological framework. Coins of Umayyads, Abbasids, Samanids, Buwayhids, Ziyarids, Qarakhanids and other Muslim dynasties were discovered. Ways of Kufic dirhems expansion and their chronological framework are shown. The main role of Khazar Khanate is marked for the time span of 8th – 9th centuries whereas since X century the principal part was played by Volga Bulgaria. American numismatist T. Noonan designated them as Khazar and Bulgar phases of trade of Kufic coins. Bulgar coins, minted in 902–990-s, participated actively in this process. Together they acted as a commodity and medium of exchange, which reflected the scale of trade operations of the early Middle Ages. The study of Muslim Kufic dirhems allowed the author to clear up the role of Khazar Khanate and Volga Bulgaria in the functioning of Great Silk and Volga routes in the 8th – beginning of the 11th centuries.

Migrations in the history of mankind took place at all times and everywhere for various reasons. The external and internal migrations in the Moksha Littoral to be occured in the 13th–15th centuries, caused by both resettlement from outside the region and the subsequent displacement of the masses of the population within it. The main residents of the Moksha Littoral before the 13th century were the Mordvins. By the beginning of the 13th century Russian population appeared in the west of the region and on the Lower Moksha. It is possible that there were a small number of the Volga Bulgarian settlers. As a result of the Mongol conquest in the 13th century the external migrations intensified. There was a significant influx of the Turkic-speaking population. The external migrations also led to internal resettlement in the region. The article deals with the correlation of these two forms of migration and their significance for the ethnic-cultural development in the region.