Archaeologists have discovered unique artifacts on the territory of the ancient Zamkovy stream in Vitebsk

August 26, Vitebsk / Sergey Kotovet - BELTA /. Unique items have been found by archaeologists on the territory of the ancient Zamkovy Ruchey in Vitebsk during the current archaeological season. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by Olga Levko, Head of the Center for the History of Pre-Industrial Society of the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Doctor of Historical Sciences, who has been conducting excavations in the regional center since 1976.

During archaeological supervision, which has been carried out since 2010 during the construction of an administrative building in the channel of Zamkovy Ruchey and its adjacent territory, specialists discovered a wooden structure at a depth of about 8 m from the surface of the daylight layer. The log structure, measuring 2.15x2 m, was preliminarily estimated to be a former utility building. Inside the structure, a saber hilt and several saber blades were found. The blades are very tightly packed, so something else may be revealed during cleaning. Inside the building, a cross made of non-ferrous metal, which can be dated to the late 18th - early 19th century, was found, as well as a button, preliminarily estimated to be from the uniform of a French army serviceman, and a coin (albeit in very poor condition).

"So far, these are all preliminary data, and during further research (in particular, after cleaning the saber blades, it may be possible to identify any hallmarks), more specific conclusions can be drawn," noted Olga Levko. For now, specialists associate these findings with the events of 1812, which may be further evidenced by the discovered traces of soot on the elements of the wooden structure and in the surrounding layer, characteristic of the consequences of a fire.

Archaeological research is being conducted at depths of up to 11 m from the ground surface, allowing rare and interesting items to be found in the mixed layers. For example, this year archaeologists have found rather rare insignia and badges, which were worn, in particular, by cavalry officers during the transitional period from the late Russian Empire to the early Soviet era. Among the rare finds are an Old Russian encolpion cross, as well as twisted wire bracelets and rings characteristic of the 12th-13th centuries. In addition, at another archaeological observation site in the central part of Vitebsk, during the construction of a fountain, a commemorative badge of the Yuryevsky Infantry Regiment in honor of the 100th anniversary of the military unit (1763-1863) was discovered. The badge was found in excellent condition near the site of the Vitebsk Noble Assembly. It is possible that one of the members of the assembly dropped the badge, so by studying archival materials, one might try to establish the identity of its owner. There were likely few veterans of the Yuryevsky Regiment in the Vitebsk Noble Assembly, suggested Olga Levko.

All archaeological finds complement the picture of Vitebsk, which has been formed through extensive research of the city over decades. "History is also good because it has a wide range, and each of its milestones is accompanied by its own rarities," noted Olga Levko. The discovered items reflect a certain aspect of the historical events of the city's life and possess undeniable value for Vitebsk. The results of the archaeological season will be summarized at the scientific conference "Vitebsk Antiquities," which is scheduled for October.-0-