Pskov archaeologists found in the burial of ancient retainer of XI century with a battle ax
"This is a man of high class and a true warrior His height is 1 meter 90 cm.," - Said a senior researcher at the Pskov archaeological center Boris Kharlash
Pskov archaeologists have discovered in the burial of ancient Izborsk XI under retainer with a battle-ax. Arms warriors professionals of this period - a very rare find, told Tass on Thursday a senior fellow of the Pskov archaeological center Boris Kharlash.
"With more certainty we can say that in the burial found Izborsky druzhinnik X-XI centuries This is a man of high class and a true warrior His height is 1 meter 90 cm..", - The archeologist said.
According Harlashova, it is also a unique find in the detection of a battle ax made of iron. Weapons professional warrior burials are rare, similar findings observed in the North and North-West Europe, he said.
Combatants buried in the burial chamber, carved into the limestone rock. At the foot soldier was a clay pot and presumably a knife. As explained by the scientist of the ancient Rusich clothes are not preserved, and jewelry for men at that time did not exist.
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Unique finds discovered Pskov archaeologists under the Old Izborsk. For the first time in the cemetery of Ust-Smolka was excavated burial Izborsk retainer thousands of years ago. Prior to this there were found eight graves, but was not among the buried soldiers. The same man was buried with special honors, and next to him of his weapons were found - the knife and battle-ax.
For these places is truly a unique find. About occupation Izborsk retainer experts told an ax, which had been found next to the skeleton. This so-called "bearded" ax. Its blade is issued down like a beard. They appeared in Northern Europe as early as the 8th century, and it is not an instrument of labor, and the warrior weapons.
BORIS Kharlash, candidate of historical sciences, senior researcher PSKOV ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTER:
So that's a man, which we are investigating now, I had a certain high status in Izborsk society and was buried with great honors, judging by the size of the grave pit. Also found in the burial ax blade and the collapse of the molded pot. The material may not be very rich, but still for Izborsk is important and interesting.
For a thousand years the skeleton strongly deformed under the weight of earth and stones. So to say exactly what was lost by man is now impossible. Over this question experts still have to work. In recent years, in Ust-tar nine graves were found. Two years ago, it was a rich female burial in the inventory. Working on the dig, archaeologists and volunteers, and this time had hoped that they would find a female skeleton.
Andrey Gromov, volunteers:
Because the first woman we found it lying here with a focus like this. Then it turned out that's still another, apparently, a representative of another tribe, was a man. Axe, as it were, a knife, a pot funeral, inventory proved this. Warrior stern, no nonsense.
For Andrew it is not the first local burial ground, which he had the opportunity to explore. Volunteers at the excavations in the Old Izborsk he arrives for the third year. Here, by the way, a lot of enthusiasts. Touch the Antiquities of Pskov land every year come from Moscow, St. Petersburg, even Khabarovsk.
Rosalia Podgorny, a senior fellow at the archaeological center Pskov area:
Some came for the fourth time. So it is something like it, then they something here draws. We hope that not only archeology but also a good company that has developed over several years of our work.
Maximum detail to investigate the burial archaeologists help cutting-edge technology. In the capable hands of the system terrestrial laser scanning creates a three-dimensional model of the excavation.
Mikhail Vasiliev, researcher PSKOV ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTER:
There millimeter accuracy, between adjacent measurements there are literally two to three millimeters. This is by far the most detailed survey is obtained, it is the most accurate, the most perfect method of fixation.
Who digs in Izborsk conducted with the help of the Russian Humanitarian Foundation. Continue work is planned in the next field season. Archaeologists believe that they are waiting for more than one historic discovery.
