Archaeologists find millennium-old cross from burial of Rurik's retinue

Archaeologists have discovered a 1,000-year-old cross in a burial site belonging to Rurik's retinue. Photo: lenobl.ru

In Staraya Ladoga, archaeologists have discovered a Christian cross more than a thousand years old. The find was retrieved during the excavation of the most ancient burial ground in the Plakun tract, which scholars directly associate with the court and retinue of the chronicle prince Rurik? reports Interfax.

Excavations of burial mound No. 11 were successfully completed in the tract. This most ancient burial ground is associated with the first Ladoga settlers – the very Varangians from the chronicle account of the calling of Rurik in 862.

In addition to the pectoral cross, a battle axe, boat rivets, and a "time capsule" from 1968 containing a message from predecessor colleagues were found in the burial. All discovered specimens are planned to be sent for laboratory analysis.

The discovered burial is presumed to be the oldest Christian burial in Eastern Europe, and it is directly associated with Rurik's court and retinue.

As the UOJ reported, archaeologists in Volyn found a 13th-century treasure with crosses and jewelry.

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