January 31st 2024.
During a recent excavation near Kyiv, archaeologists made a fascinating discovery – a graveyard from the Dark Ages containing over 100 skeletons. But what made this find even more intriguing were the unusual adornments found on some of the skeletons. Wooden buckets on their feet and rings around their necks added an air of mystery to this ancient burial site.
Experts believe that this cemetery, which dates back 1,000 years, may have been used for pagan or early Christian burials. It offers a glimpse into the Dark Ages, a time period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Italian Renaissance. The burial site also contained various artifacts such as axes, swords, spears, jewelry, and even food remains like eggshells and chicken bones.
Lead researchers, Dr. Vsevolod Ivakin and Dr. Vyacheslav Baranov, revealed that most of the identified burials were found in wooden coffins. They presented their findings at the annual meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America. Interestingly, some of the artifacts discovered at the site were similar to those found in the Baltics, suggesting that some of the individuals buried here may have come from that region.
In addition to the rings around their necks, some of the skeletons also had rings around their wrists. Jewelry was also found at the site, adding to the belief that these adornments were part of a ceremonial tradition. The weapons found were typical of the Kyivan Rus – a medieval political federation that encompassed modern-day Belarus and parts of northeastern Europe. The team also discovered a stone altar, which they believe may have been used for pagan or early Christian rituals.
Both male and female skeletons were found at the cemetery, but it was only the females who had elaborate neck rings. This led the team to believe that these rings served as a social marker for the women. However, some of the male skeletons were also found with their feet placed in wooden buckets, suggesting that this may have been a funerary ritual.
The team also noted that similar elements, such as buckets, were found in other burial sites from the same time period. In fact, these buckets were also found in 11th-century Prussian cremation sites and Pomeranian and Masovian inhumation cemeteries for military elites. This further supports the theory that these buckets may have held some significance in the burial rituals of the time.
It is believed that at the time this cemetery was in use, the people in the region were beginning to convert to Christianity. Unfortunately, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has paused many excavations in the area, including this one. This discovery sheds light on a fascinating time in history, and it will be interesting to see what other secrets this ancient burial site holds.
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