Scientists will study the skeletal remains of Moscow Prince Dmitry Donskoy, whose remains were recently found in one of the Kremlin cathedrals, using the latest methods of chemistry and anthropology.
This was reported by Maria Dobrovolskaya, head of the Contextual Anthropology Laboratory at the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Maria Dobrovolskaya told reporters that photographs obtained by Russian archaeologists and anthropologists of the skull and other remains of Moscow Prince Dmitry Donskoy, along with other scientific data, will help scientists complete the prince's features, obtain an approximate facial profile, and reveal previously unknown details about his life.
It is reported that recent restoration work in one of the Kremlin cathedrals in Moscow led to the discovery of three white stone sarcophagi, and it turned out that one of them contained the remains of Prince Dmitry Donskoy of Moscow, the unifier of the lands of Russia and commander of the victory in the Battle of Kulikovo against the Mongols in 1380 AD.
It is worth noting that Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy (1350-1389) was the Prince of Moscow (1359-1389) and Grand Prince of Vladimir (1362-1389).He is a pivotal figure in Russian history, as he was the first prince of Moscow to openly challenge the authority of the Mongols (the Golden Horde).He is venerated as a saint in the Orthodox Church..
Birth and early life : He was born in Moscow on October 12, 1350He is the son of Prince Ivan II.
Ascension to power : He was orphaned at a young age and assumed the throne of the Grand Duchy of Moscow in 1359 at the age of only nine.His guardianship was entrusted to Metropolitan Alexi, who possessed exceptional political acumen..
Unification of Russian lands : He continued the policy of his father and grandfather in unifying the Russian principalities around Moscow, and entered into conflicts with rival principalities such as Tver, Suzdal, and Ryazan..
The Mongol challenge : He exploited internal conflicts within the Golden Horde, ceasing to pay tribute and encouraging Russian princes to resist the Mongols..
Battle of Kulikovo (1380) : He achieved his greatest victory on September 8, 1380, at the Battle of Kulikovo near the Don River, where he defeated the army of the Golden Horde led by Mamai.This historic victory is what earned him the nickname "Donskoy" (meaning "he who is from the Don River") .However, Mongol control was soon restored after a new Khan (Tuqtamish) overthrew Mamai and subjugated the Russian lands once again.
Construction of the Kremlin : During his reign, the Moscow Kremlin was built of white stone, enhancing the city's status..
Death : Dmitri died on May 19, 1389, at the age of 38 or 39, and was buried in the Cathedral of the Archangel in the Kremlin in Moscow..
In short, Dmitry Donskoy was the Prince of Moscow who led the first major victory over the Mongols, united the Russian lands, and left an enduring legacy that made him a national hero in Russia and a saint in the Orthodox Church.
