Regional News

Remains of 12th century arms shop unearthed in Polotsk

During the archeological excavations in “the Rogvolod Settlement” in Polotsk, a team of specialists found the remains of an arms shop of the 12th century. It is the second archeological find of this kind in Belarus, BelTA learnt from Denis Duk, the head of the archeological excavations, head of the history department of Polotsk State University.

The first arms shop was found in the territory of Belarus in Gomel in the beginning of the 1990s. The Polotsk find is unique as it tells us how the medieval lamellar armor was produced. Only noble warriors could afford having such armor. According to Denis Duk, the arms shop attests to high professionalism of armorers and economic potential of the ancient Polotsk, one of the richest towns of Ancient Russia.

According to Denis Duk, during the present archeological excavations in the place which was called as “Rogvolod Settlement”, archeologists found numerous articles which have not only historical but art value as well. These are jewelry, church plates which are preliminarily dated back to the 10th-13th centuries. Scientists found a bronze cauldron from the prince’s kitchen. “Archeologists have not found such a number of ancient articles at a time: some 450 articles have been found on a 4X11 meters site,” Denis Duk noted.

According to the scientist, the found articles give an insight into the way of life of the Polotsk residents and the architectural planning of the town.

The main task of the scientists is to find out a material evidence of the existence of the legendary Polotsk Prince Rogvolod who lived in the 12th century.