Archaeologists unearth a medieval nobleman buried with his horse and dog in a rare wooden tomb in Russia
A rare example of a wooden chamber tomb reveals connections between medieval Norse and Old Russian burial styles.
In Russia's Suzdal region, archaeologists have discovered a rare wooden tomb dating back to the 10th century. Within this ancient burial chamber, the remains of a high-ranking man were found alongside a horse and a dog. This remarkable find suggests that medieval Russian and Northern European nobility followed similar funeral customs a millennium ago.
The tomb was uncovered unexpectedly during excavations at Gnezdilovo, a medieval cemetery in Suzdal, Russia, approximately 137 miles northeast of Moscow. The custom of burying elite Rus' nobility in underground wooden crypts with various grave goods was introduced from Scandinavia during the late ninth century. The newly discovered chamber tomb is an early and exceptional example of this burial type, as only 80 similar graves have been discovered across western Russia.
The wooden burial chamber, located about 3.3 feet underground, measured 10.2 by 8.9 feet and featured a collapsed wooden roof. Inside the tomb, archaeologists found the skeleton of a man aged between 25 and 35, as well as the remains of a horse and a dog. Additional burial items included an iron knife, stirrups, riding gear, a bone comb, and a battle ax.
The man was buried wearing a garment secured by a silver, horseshoe-shaped brooch near his neck, indicating his high status in the community.
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