The archaeological season in the Zaveliche district of Pskov, Russia, concluded with a remarkable discovery: a silver temporal ring of the Bulgarian style was found at the Olginsky-10 archaeological site.
This ring is only the fourth piece of its kind to be found during decades of archaeological excavations in the outskirts of Pskov.
All the archaeological discoveries date back to time layers from the period between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries AD, a period of prosperity for the Russian city of Pskov.
Women wore these rings at their temples, securing them in their hair braids. The shape and craftsmanship of the ring reflected its region of origin and the wearer's social standing. This particular ornament, made from tightly wound spiral wire, exemplifies the distinctive craftsmanship of Byzantine and Danubian industries.
The discovery of a valuable Balkan artifact in northern Russia raises questions about how it came to be in Pskov, with hypotheses including its transfer through trade networks, or via migrants, diplomats, or pilgrims.
For a long time, the Zaveliche district was considered a marginal area by Russian archaeologists, but recent excavations have changed this perception, revealing residential buildings, workshops, and luxury artifacts. The discovered ring provides further evidence that the Pskov region was part of a vast trade network in the Middle Ages.
Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the region served as an important trade route connecting Scandinavia, the Baltic states, Novgorod, and Constantinople. Formally, the Pskov ring matches rare artifacts found in Novgorod, Belarus, and Ukraine, suggesting shared routes for cultural and commercial exchange across Europe.
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