An ancient graveyard with bodies buried wrapped in ritual birch bark has been unearthed by archaeologists under a burned-down church in Russia.
The cemetery, which dates back to the 1100s, was only found as experts sifted through the remains of the 18th-century wooden church after it was destroyed in 2018.
Now it has emerged that 66 graves dating between the 12th and 17th centuries have been excavated by scientists in Kondopoga, in the Republic of Karelia, which borders Finland in north-western Russia.
Some jewellery-clad bodies appear to have been wrapped in birch bark before they were buried, often a sign of high birth.
The ritual, say some experts, dated back to prehistoric times and survived the introduction of Christian burials right through to the Middle Ages.
The wooden Dormition church they were found under was built on its waterside side in 1774.
Russia’s Academy of Sciences revealed that the burial ground was only discovered when builders began clearing the site to replace the church.
As an academy statement on 13th June obtained by Newsflash said: “Among the burials of the burial ground, the burials of the 12th–15th centuries are of greatest interest, which are currently the oldest medieval burials discovered on the territory of Olonets Karelia.
“In modern science, the Karelian Isthmus and the North-Western Ladoga region are considered the indigenous territory of the Karelian population, and their migration to the Onega region supposedly dates back to the 15th century.
“However, judging by the funeral ritual and the continuity of the identified burial ground, the population that left it was familiar with Christian traditions.”
They said 66 graves had been found, “of which 50 were fully examined, and 16 were identified for conservation”.
The statement added: “To date, preliminary gender and age determinations have been made for 39 individuals: 58.3 per cent are men and 41.7 per cent are women.
“A high percentage of child (infant) mortality is obvious – about 70 per cent.”
Archaeologists also found a treasure trove of jewellery like brooches shaped like horseshoes, beaded necklaces and a pair of strikingly modern-looking amber earrings.
They also found buckles, knives and Christian icons buried along with the remains of the dead’s clothing.
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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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