International Conference "Medieval Kazan: Foundation and Development" took place in Kazan from May 31 to June 4, 1999. More than 150 experts of different branches took part in it. There were leading archeologists, historians, source researches from Austria, Azerbaidzhan, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Hungary, Germany, Egypt, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukrain, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Norway and different cities and towns of Russia.
The Conference declares that during last five years a big amount of work on the history of the region has been done under the supervision of the research institutions in Kazan. It included the problems of foundation and developing of the city of Kazan. Leading experts from research centres of Tatarstan, Russia, CIS and foreign countries were involved in this work.
The outcome of this work was a thorough analysis of medieval written sources connected with the history of Middle Volga and Kazan. It was conducted in archives and libraries of different countries. They enable us to take a new vision of the role of the Region and especially Kazan in economical and political system of Eastern Europe.
Lots of excavations were conducted on the territory of Kazan and Kazan Kremlin. Due to them now we have opportunities to fix pre-Mongolian cultural level. This cultural level is dated back as long as 10 - 11th centuries and is based on numerous finds. Some of these finds are ceramics, work tools, arms, decorations, glassware and coins, fossil pollen and spores. Remnants of ancient fortifications such as paling, groundwork, brick fortifications and household structures.
Objects discovered at these excavations were observed and acknowledged by experts from Kazan, Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Perm, Sweden, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany and Egypt. Many objects found at these excavations were sent for expert examinations to laboratories in Kazan, Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Paris, Cairo. Outcomes of expert examinations proved the date of the cultural level, i. e. 10 - 11th centuries.
In the course of research more than fifty maps with the information about old Kazan were brought for consideration. Many of them were used for this purpose for the first time. These maps were found at libraries and archives of Moscow, Rome, Venice, Paris, Ankara, Vienna, Cairo, Prague, Berlin and other centres.
The outcomes of archeological discoveries in the Kazan Kremlin were produced and discussed at different international conferences and symposia that were held in Kazan, Pushkinskie Gori, Prague. They were also announced at important forums in Lille (France), Barcelona (Spain), Shumene (Bulgaria), at the International Conference of European Historical Cities conducted under the auspices of the European Council in La Valetta (Malta) and at the Session of the Union of Historical Cities and Regions of Russia.
Several publications were made for the Conference. They contain detailed information on new materials obtained on the history of Kazan and its interpretation.
Participants of the conference mentioned that Kazan is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe located along many trade ways such as the Great Silk Way and the Great Volga Way. Kazan of that time became a trading settlement that had lots of international relationships. Many merchants from Hungary, Kiev Rus, Czechia, countries of Middle Asia and Arabian East used to come here. Finds from the Kazan Kremlin can prove it, e. G. Czech and Arabian coins, Hungarian brass, beads, bracelets, numerous ceramic objects.
During the period of the conference the exhibition "Ancient Kazan" was open and its materials confirmed the conclusions of the conference. Participants of the Conference have arrived to the conclusion that the complex analysis of the accumulated materials shows that Kazan was founded at the end of the 10th - beginning of the 11th centuries and consider as strongly advisable to celebrate 1000th anniversary of Kazan in the beginning of the third millenium.
International Scientific Conference "Medieval Kazan: Foundation and Development" realizes international scientific, cultural and political importance of the history of Kazan foundation, results of research, significance of the conclusions made at the Conference and recommends the following for both Kazan and Tatarstan:
1. To publish materials of the Conference inclusive of the English language.
2. To continue complex research including excavations in the Kazan Kremlin and within city limits in order to cover more completely the history of Kazan, Tatarstan and Middle Volga.
3. To ask the governing body of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan to prepare a conclusion based on research materials used at the Conference about the date of the city foundation.
4. To recommend the Kazan Council of People's Deputies to consider the matter of fixing the Day of the City as well as the date of its celebration.
5. To address international organizations including the UNESCO with the request to include the date to the UNESCO calendar of historical dates.
Participants of the Conference express their gratitude to the Government of the Republic, Kazan Council of People's Deputies and City Administration for excellent organization of researches of Kazan history and the present Conference.