Archaeology
Burials containing battle axes uncovered in early Suzdal cemetery
Archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the State Historical Museum, have been conducting excavations at the Gnezdilovo burial ground near Suzdal in the Vladimir Oblast, Russia.
The site was first discovered in 1851, but a geophysical study has revealed that much of the 7.4-acre cemetery has remained largely unexplored.
Approximately 50 undisturbed burials from the 11th to 12 centuries have been excavated, revealing new insights into the social structure of North-Eastern Russia during the early history of the Suzdal land.
Many of the burials contain high-status jewellery, including temple rings, signet rings, and glass beads, along with weapons such as iron knives and battle axes.
In one such burial, designated No. 59, archaeologists found a wooden structure containing the skeletal remains of a male, buried with a bronze lyre-shaped buckle, a knife, a battle axe, and a broken ceramic vessel.
Image Credit : Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences
In another burial, designated No 49, the researchers excavated another wooden burial structure and pieces of horseman’s equipment, such as stirrups and a girth buckle (used to fasten the saddle). A battle axe was also found accompanying the deceased, which has a semicircular notch at the base and a carved butt, similar to axe types most common in Rus’ in the 11th to early 12th century.
According to the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences: “The presence of burials accompanied by horse equipment and weapons gives the Gnezdilovo burial ground the features of a special squad cemetery, which stands out among other burial monuments of the Suzdal Opolye. Fourteen battle axes have been recovered from the excavations at Gnezdilovo – the largest collection of weapons of this type found in North-Eastern Rus’ in modern times.”
Sources : Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences
This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com – © 2023 – HeritageDaily
Archaeologists are excavating a fortified settlement associated with the Linear Pottery Culture at Eilsleben in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
The Linear Pottery Culture (LBK) is a major archaeological horizon of the European Neolithic period from 5500 to 4500 BC.
The site at Eilsleben was first identified during the 1920’s, revealing one of Central Europe’s largest Neolithic settlements.
Excavations conducted from 1974 to 1989 unearthed the remnants of ancient homes, numerous burials, and pits likely used for ritualistic human and animal sacrifices.
The settlement phases of the site can be divided into two distinct periods.
The earliest phase features north-south oriented dwellings, as well as remnants of a defensive trench measuring up to 3 metres in width. In the later phase, a central spring was fortified with a rampart, palisade and ditch, with further structural changes to form a giant trapezoidal structure.
Archaeologists from the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology (LDA) Saxony-Anhalt recently excavated a 200-square-metre area to carry out a sediment analysis, along with micromorphological and phytolith studies.
Using these modern scientific methods, the researchers hope to understand the site formation, as well as the levels of occupational activity within the wider settlement area.
Excavations also found extensive find material, consisting of pottery vessel fragments, stone implements (e.g., blades, arrowheads, axes) and bone and antler objects.
According to the archaeologists, the find material is providing deeper insights into the interactions between the region’s earliest farmers in the fertile Magdeburg Börde and the contemporary hunter-gatherer societies.
The LDA said: “The excavations are already showing that the Neolithic settlement remains are surprisingly well preserved. The excavators found post holes of houses as well as the remains of wattle and daub house walls. The concentrations of finds are enabling conclusions to be drawn about the use of the spaces within the settlement.”
Header Image Credit : LDA
Sources : State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology (LDA) Saxony-Anhalt
This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com – © 2023 – HeritageDaily
Archaeologists from the APSARA National Authority have uncovered a guardian statue at the Banteay Prey Nokor temple complex in Kompong Cham, Cambodia.
Known locally as the temple of “Wat Nokor in Khum of Kompong Siem”, or “Wat Angkor”, Banteay Prey Nokor was constructed during the reign of Jayavarman VII (AD 1181–1218), the first king devoted to Buddhism in the Khmer Empire.
The complex covers an area of 37 acres and consists of a central tower surrounded by four laterite wall enclosures made from sandstone and laterite.
In addition to being the largest ancient temple complex in Kampong Cham Province, it has several distinguishing features. One of the most notable is its construction from black sandstone, which sets it apart from other temples of the period, typically built from brick or reddish sandstone.
Image Credit : Phouk Chea / Chea Sarith
Archaeologists from the Department of Preservation and Archaeology at the APSARA Authority recently excavated one of the gateways of Banteay Prey Nokor, clearing away layers of rubble from the collapsed upper structure.
Upon removing the rubble material, a guardian door statue was uncovered to the right of the eastern entrance to the gateway. The statue is broken into six pieces – breaking at the neck, the left forearm, the waist, and below the knees of both legs.
According to the researchers, the statue, which originally stood at a height of around 1.6 metres, is of the Bayon style, in reference to the Bayon state temple of Jayavarman VII at the centre of Jayavarman’s capital, Angkor Thom.
“The sandstone gate guardian will now be stored at the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum,” Angkor Wat’s heritage police said in a statement. “It will be preserved and studied further.”
Header Image Credit : Phouk Chea / Chea Sarith
Sources : APSARA National Authority
This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com – © 2023 – HeritageDaily
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