Archaeologists have found an 11th-century pendant in Staraya Russa that combines an image of a Christian saint with a woman’s head featuring snake-like hair.
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that → find → hair
The copper-alloy pendant was uncovered during excavations at the Pyatnitsky site, in an ancient urban household in an area that was being developed in the 11th century.
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that → uncover → century
Its two sides carry different images.
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sides → carry → images
One features a relief of a warrior saint holding a spear and shield, identified as probably Saint Theodore Stratelates.
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One → feature → Stratelates
According to Novgorod State University, the other depicts a woman’s head with snake-like hair, based on the image of Gorgon Medusa.
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other → accord → Medusa
What does the 11th-century pendant found in Staraya Russa depict
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depict → find → Russa
The newly found serpentine dates to the 11th century and is one of the earliest examples known from the medieval Novgorod land.
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serpentine → find → land
It was found during excavations at the Pyatnitsky site in Staraya Russa, inside an ancient urban household.
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It → find → household
At the time, the area was still being developed.
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area → develop → time
The pendant is made from a copper-based alloy.
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pendant → make → alloy
One side shows a raised image of a warrior saint holding a spear and shield, probably Theodore Stratelates.
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side → show → spear
The other side shows a woman’s head with snake-like hair.
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side → show → hair
Archaeologists note that this figure was likely a general representation of dark forces rather than a specific creature from ancient mythology.
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figure → note → mythology
PC: Novgorod State University
Christian and snake-related images shaped Serpentine pendants
Serpentine pendants were two-sided amulets, with a Christian image on one side and a snake-related image on the other.
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pendants → relate → other
According to NovSU, the Christian side could show Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, the Archangel Michael, or saints linked to defeating serpents, including George the Victorious.
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side → accord → George
The other side was based on the image of the Gorgon Medusa from ancient Greek mythology.
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side → base → mythology
These inscriptions indicate that the pendants were probably worn as protective amulets against illness.
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pendants → indicate → illness
The two different images brought Christian and pagan traditions together.
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images → bring → traditions
What the Staraya Russa pendant reveals about Byzantine connections
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reveals → reveal → connections
The Staraya Russa pendant adds to evidence about the community that lived in the settlement during the 11th century and its connections with other regions.
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that → add → regions
Archaeologists note that the non-canonical tradition of wearing serpentine pendants came to Rus from Byzantium.
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tradition → note → Byzantium
The earliest such pendants found in Ancient Rus date to the 11th century, the same period as the newly discovered pendant.
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pendants → find → pendant
Along with other archaeological finds, the pendant shows that a Christian community was already present in Staraya Russa at that time.
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community → show → time
NovSU also says the finding points to well-developed cultural ties with Byzantium and the presence of local craft workshops.
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finding → say → workshops
Before this discovery, only four serpentine pendants had been found in Staraya Russa.
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pendants → find → Russa
All four dated to the late 12th to 14th centuries.
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four → date → centuries
Archaeologists also looked at who may have owned the pendant and where it may have been made.
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it → look → pendant
Sergei Toropov, director of the Novgorod State University Center for Archaeological Research, said it may have belonged to a resident of the household who was part of the broad middle social group.
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who → say → group
According to the university, poorer people could not afford such an item, while members of the elite wore jewellery made from expensive silver and gold.
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members → accord → silver
Researchers also indicate that the pendant may have been made using another similar object as a model.
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pendant → indicate → model
A workshop that could produce such an item may have operated in the same household where the pendant was found.
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pendant → produce → household
The Aporia
