Archaeologists have proven that Vikings lived in the territory of Belarus

October 27, Minsk / Olga Belyavskaya - BELTA /. Archaeologists have found the remains of an ancient Viking settlement in the Vitebsk region, which proves that representatives of this people lived in the territory of Belarus. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by Olga Levko, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Head of the Center for the History of Pre-Industrial Society of the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The interlocutor did not specify where exactly the remains of the settlement were found, explaining that "black diggers" could interfere with further research of this territory. Olga Levko said that during the excavations, elements of weapons and household items were found, indicating that the Vikings' stay in Belarus was not episodic or transit, but permanent. Among the most valuable finds are ingots of non-ferrous metals, a silver sword scabbard tip, a matrix for casting warrior belt tips, and others. In addition, archaeologists found the burial place of one of the Viking warriors along with his harness and horse. "The last discovery is very important for us," noted Olga Levko. "This example proves that the Vikings lived here." The specialist also said that there have been practically no scientific research works on Vikings in Belarus. In the coming years, scientists plan to pay special attention to this topic, and it is planned to determine the main features of Viking life in Belarus. It is already known, for example, that their settlements were small and located near the settlements of local residents. Vikings were early medieval Scandinavian seafarers who, in the 8th-11th centuries, made sea voyages from Vinland to Biarmia and from the Caspian Sea to North Africa. They were mainly free peasants of Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish origin who roamed outside their native countries in search of easy profit. In terms of religion, they were mostly pagans. The Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus conducts fundamental scientific research in history and archaeology, carries out archaeological excavations, and also organizes the examination of the most important scientific programs and projects in the cultural and historical sphere.-0-