5 legendary swords and axes found in Proto-Russia

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

Immediately it is necessary to stipulate that the phrase "Viking sword" is not entirely correct, if, in general, we mean swords like those that will be discussed below. It so happened that swords of the Carolingian type began to be called Viking swords, although, of course, they were common not only among northern sailors.

1. Sword from the Gnezdov burial ground,

that near Smolensk. In the typology of Jan Petersen, such swords are classified as type D. However, this sword is still somewhat different from others in its handle (on the basis of which the typology was mainly built), decorated with relief patterns. This finish is found in some Scandinavian jewelry. Concerning this sword, it was suggested that its blade could have been made in the Rhine workshops, and the handle was mounted in Gotland or in Gnezdovo itself, where its owner was buried. The length of the sword is 92 cm, the blade is 74 cm, the width at the crosshair is 5.5 cm.

2. Sword from the Black Grave mound

This Carolingian was found during excavations of a large mound in Chernigov. According to A. N. Kirpichnikov's sword belongs to type Z special and can be dated to the third quarter of the X century. At present, only a fragment of a sword has survived, but during the excavations its length was recorded at 105 cm. It was suggested, for example, that a Scandinavian warrior was buried in the mound, since among the finds was a figurine of a bronze deity, interpreted by some researchers as the god Thor. Another version suggests that the ancient Russian voivode Pretich was buried in the mound, who defended Kiev from the Pechenegs in 968.

3. A sword from the island of Khortitsa

In November 2011, an ordinary fisherman from Zaporozhye caught an unusual catch from the Dnieper on the island of Khortitsa. As it turned out, it was a Carolingian type sword (which are also called swords of the Viking Age), which was then transferred to the Museum of the History of Zaporizhzhya Cossacks.

An incredible noise immediately arose around the sword, because it was dated approximately to the middle of the 10th century, and besides, the place of its discovery coincided with the approximate place of the battle of the ancient Russian prince Svyatoslav Igorevich with the Pechenegs, in which, as you know, the Kiev prince died. Because of this, of course, there were loud statements that the sword belonged exactly to Svyatoslav himself.

Sword after restoration

The sword found is well preserved. In the classification of the Norwegian researcher Jan Petersen, such Carolingians are classified as type V. The length of the sword is 94 cm, and the weight is slightly less than one kilogram, which is generally typical of Carolingian swords. The top is of a rounded tripartite shape covered with a pattern inlaid with silver, copper and brass. The blade bears the + ULFBERH + T mark.

Sword hilt

Despite the assertions of many that this sword belonged to Prince Svyatoslav, there is no reliable evidence of this, and this cannot be asserted with complete certainty. Yes, the approximate time of making the sword and the time of the death of the prince coincide. And it was found in the same place where, as it is supposed, the last battle of Svyatoslav took place. Nevertheless, on the basis of this, it is incorrect to assert that Carolingian belonged to a great warrior, although it is quite possible that the sword somehow related, if not to Svyatoslav himself, then to his warriors. But this, again, is just an assumption.

4. Another sword from Gnezdovo

Found in 2017 for the first time in 30 years. According to Petersen, it belongs to type H. The find is well preserved. The scabbard of the sword, made of fur, wood, fabric and leather, has been partially preserved. The sword handle, also made of wood, was wrapped in cloth and leather. A. N. Kirpichnikov notes that in Russia type H swords spread from Ladoga to Kiev region, in addition, they were found on the territory of Volga Bulgaria.

5. Sword from Foshevataya (Poltava region)

n is unique in that it has a stamp made in Cyrillic. On one side there is an inscription “KOVAL”, and on the other, as suggested by A. N. Kirpichnikov, "LYUDOTA" or "LYUDOSHA". The sword dates from roughly 1000-1050 years. The find indicates that Ancient Russia became the second state after the Frankish Empire to have its own signature swords.

Battle axes, which would seem to be simple and relatively inexpensive, unlike swords, weapons often became real works of art. Despite the fact that there are plenty of battle axes found on the territory of Russia, we will tell you about the five most interesting, in our opinion, specimens. Let's make a reservation right away that "Ancient Rus" in the title is conditional, since the period of the XI-XIV centuries is chronologically covered

1. Ax of Andrey Bogolyubsky

is perhaps one of the most famous. It is made of steel, and the shape has a protruding butt, an expanding blade and is decorated with silver with gilding. The ax is richly decorated with images, which include, for example, a dragon pierced by a sword, which forms the letter "A". The other side displays a "tree of life" with two birds. The "apple" of the ax also has the letter "A" in the form of the Greek alpha. In addition, other patterns are applied to the ax (triangles along the edge of the blade). Various researchers dated the ax within the 11th-13th centuries, and its images are associated with northern Varangian traditions. By the way, the ownership of the ax to Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky is highly controversial.

2. Ladoga hatchet

was found back in 1910. Although it is made of bronze (casting technique), it still has a narrow steel blade. Almost the entire surface of the ax is covered with relief patterns depicting wild animals and griffins, and the figure of an animal flaunted on the butt. The ax dates back to the X-XI centuries, and its manufacture is associated with Scandinavian influence.

Reconstruction of the Ladoga hatchet

3. Kostroma battle ax

was found in 1928 near Kostroma. This copy was able to tell how it was made. It was forged from an iron bar bent in half (this can be seen from the eyelet). The master also decorated the ax with silver inlay ornaments. Dating is within the XII-XIII centuries. A. N. Kirpichnikov notes that the appearance of axes of this type is associated with the development of a mass type of a working ax, which remained until the XIV-XV centuries. Moreover, as noted by A. N. Kirpichnikov, battle axes of this group are very rare and belong to the latest monuments of pre-Mongol "decorative" axes.

4. Battle ax of the Shekshovsky burial ground

This remarkable specimen was found during excavations of an 11th century burial mound near Suzdal in 2011. This find, in addition to the ornamentation inlaid with silver with gilding, has the princely "signs of the Rurikovich" close to those used by Vladimir Krasnoe Solnyshko and Yaroslav the Wise. The presence of such signs is unique in itself. Axes of this type appeared in the 10th century. and were used in the XI-XII centuries not only in Russia, but also in Scandinavia, the Baltic States and the Volga Bulgaria.

5. Battle ax from Staraya Russa

This is the latest specimen of all five. It was found in 2005 during excavations of a complex, apparently associated with the development of salt. Dendrochronological analysis of the logs made it possible to date it around 1365. The ax has an elongated and slightly asymmetrical blade; its surface is inlaid with floral patterns made of bronze or brass wire. It is similar to other axes found, for example, in Pskov and Novgorod. Appearing, apparently, in the XIV-XV centuries, axes of this type become somewhat larger and heavier than their predecessors, which is associated with the development of protective equipment.