A bronze amulet with a loop for hanging was found during the excavations of the Vodianovo settlement (Dubovsky district). It shows a square neatly divided into cells. In each cell, you can guess the letter of the Eastern Arabic script. The letter also symbolizes a specific number. It is noteworthy that the sum of the numbers in each row, in each column and on both diagonals is the same. In this square, this sum is 15, with the number 5 in the center. According to medieval numerological magic, each number of the top ten had many meanings. The number 5 in ancient cultures is the center for the four cardinal directions, for the entire universe. It carried a tinge of benevolence and happiness. It is no coincidence that the inscription in Arabic is visible on the back of the amulet: “perseverance and strength lead to well-being”.

According to an ancient Chinese legend, the First magic square of Luo Shu, containing three rows and three columns, the numbers of which totaled 15, was inscribed on the shell of a sacred turtle living in the waters of the Yellow River. It was found in ancient China in 2200 BC.

Such amulets were brought to the Golden Horde cities of the Lower Volga region by newcomers from Central Asia or Transcaucasia. And they are clear evidence of the spread of magic among the urban population of the Golden Horde.