Ancient Cemetery in the Center of Kursk
A sensational discovery was made in April 2019 at a vacant lot on Semenovskaya street, when archaeologists began their excavation there. In the first days of the excavation, the staff of the Research Institute of Archaeology of KSU found artifacts that change the idea of ancient Kursk. The first thing they found was brickwork, some of which dates back to the 19th century.
Senior researcher, Roman Veretyushkin said there were human remains too! They discovered 11 burial sites. But what was interesting is that they did not find fragments of coffins, in other words, they found not just old graves, but those belonging to ancient Kursk. Not only the human skeleton but also fragments of dishes and ancient jewelry was discovered too. The very fact of finding a burial ground and ancient graves in the center of Kursk is quite unique.
Archaeologists started to explore the territory where the construction of the new building would be carried out and found brickwork, of the 19th century. In the sunken walls — arched niches were discovered. How they used them is a question, although some suggested it functioned as a vault for valuables.
Some jewelries that were discovered are rings of small size, thick bronze wire with trailing ends. Such ornaments began to be used from the end of the 1st Millennium of the new era and were used throughout the pre-Mongol period. At the end of the 11th — first half of the 12th century, the number of rings determined the status of women: girls had one, married women-more.
The fragments of pre-Mongol pottery are of great scientific interest. At the very bottom of one burial, next to the skull, there was a piece of pot that dates from the first half of the 12th century.
Who would have thought that the ancient burial site is actually in the center of Kursk. However, 900 years ago, it was considered as the outskirts of the ancient city. According to the surviving evidence of the 17th century, a “Prince’s” forest near Kirova street was noted, and this area was free of development in the ancient time. So, topographically it fits perfectly into the general plan of the ancient Kursk, and evidently making sense that the edges of the hill would be considered as the burial site. Usually there would be a church nearby burial sites, but no evidence of its existence has been found yet.
According to scientists, it is impossible to guess how many remains are buried there in total. It is necessary to explore the entire territory which is about a thousand square meters, and so far only 1/5th of the territory have been explored.
REFERENCE
1. old-kursk.ru/events/st190816.html
2. gtrkkursk.ru/lenta-novostei/29042019_arheologi_otkrytie_l.html
3. gtrkkursk.ru/novosti/25042019182112_gl.html
