History and culture: Boyar sarcophagi of the XII century were found on excavations in the St. George's Monastery near Veliky Novgorod

On the excavations in the ancient Russian St. George's monastery near Veliky Novgorod, boyar sarcophagi of the XII century were discovered.

Vladimir Sedov, Ph.D., who supervises research at the monastery, reported about the findings at a press conference.

Two stone boyar sarcophaguses were found at St. George's Cathedral, which was laid in the monastery in 1119. Sarcophagi are so-called prefabricated burials. In one of them archaeologists found the remains of seven people, in another - three.

The cost of such sarcophagi in ancient times was so great that in them, according to scientists, originally were buried representatives of the wealthy Novgorod boyar families, to which later members of their families were spoiled.

Specialists of the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow) began research on the territory of the monastery in 2012. In the current field season, the work resumed about a month ago and it is expected to be completed before August.

The excavation area is about 300 square meters. Archaeological research is conducted within the framework of the complex restoration of St. George's Cathedral.