History of Russia: The unique find of the Staraya Russa archaeological expedition

August 15, 2012 specialists of the Staraya Russa archaeological expedition of the Novgorod University on the Kurortny-I excavation in Staraya Russa found a unique set of drooping lead seals.

In the middle Ages drooping lead seals fastened official acts. They were stamped with a special matrix of lead-harvesting and fixed on suspended to document cord. Medieval Russian seals were regalia of state and church institutions. Princes had the right to bound documents, church hierarchs and their governors, mayor, captains and other officials of high rank.

A found complex, according to one of the greatest experts on Russian Sphragistics of the Corresponding Member of RAS Peter G. Gaidukov probably dates back to XIV century. It includes:

- Three anonymous prints of Episcopal governors (authorized Archbishop of Novgorod)

- Three prints of Governor Andrew (not previously known);

- Print of Novgorod Chiune (official) of Iov;

- Print Novgorod Chiune Nero;

- Print of Alexander Obakunovich (a well-known Novgorod governor of that name, in 1366 was one of the leaders of the campaign to the Volga ushkuiniks and died in 1372 during the attack on the Tver troops to Torzhok);

- Print of Olfromey (probably Bartholomew) Vasilyevich (without posts);

- Two blanks.

According to the characteristic traces the prints were removed from the documents. This and the presence of two pieces suggest that this complex is owned by a person related to office administration. Sphragistics collection of the Kurortny-I excavation in Staraya Russa currently has 17 stamps and 3 blanks.

Information about the findings of the archaeological expedition of the Yaroslav the Wise Novgorod State University is open to the public as part of an Internet project "Antiquities of Novgorod: electronic database of archaeological finds."