A historical and archaeological complex is planned to be created in the area of ancient Drutsk in the Tolochin district

August 29, Vitebsk / Sergey Kotovets - BELTA/. Ancient Drutsk will form the basis of a historical and archaeological complex, the concept for the creation of which is being developed in the Tolochin district. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by Olga Levko, Head of the Center for the History of Pre-Industrial Society at the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Doctor of Historical Sciences.

The complex being created could become a highlight of tourist routes in the district, not only for the development of domestic tourism but also for travelers from other countries. Drutsk and its surroundings are rich in diverse monuments representing various historical eras, which can attract tourists. Furthermore, with the creation of appropriate infrastructure, this area is suitable for recreation and holding mass events, including knightly tournaments and historical reenactments, which are usually organized in places that have preserved elements of ancient architecture or relief, noted Olga Levko.

Domestic scientists will also continue their work on researching the territory of ancient Drutsk in search of collective burials, similar to the unique burial with a tombstone discovered in the summer of 2009. Research in this direction continues to expand knowledge about the history of one of the oldest principalities in the territory of modern Belarus. Stone tombstones are characteristic of burials near or inside churches, while scientists attribute kurgan burials to pagan traditions, therefore, the burial in the Drutsk kurgan may indicate a combination of pagan and Christian traditions.

In the grave with a stone tombstone, a child aged 6-8 years was buried in a wooden coffin. The kurgan is a collective burial, with the remains of 38 people discovered there in total. Also, during the excavations, burial inventory was found - remnants of clothing (collars) embroidered with gold and with a pattern of Byzantine style, fragments of fabrics also of Byzantine style, gilded and one silver button. At this stage of research, having compared all the materials found, scientists are inclined to conclude that one of the Drutsk princes was buried in the kurgan with his servants.-0-