Evidence of the Presence of Scandinavians Among the First Settlers of Chernihiv According to Archaeological Data

Abstrakt

Scandinavian presence in Chernihiv has previously been addressed through analysis of materials from excavations of barrows within the urban structure of the town. Archaeological research in the 21st century has provided materials that suggest the presence of individuals of Scandinavian origin among the first settlers, for example, disk-shaped ceramic loom weights, which are considered indicators of the presence of people of North Germanic origin. Of particular interest are the unreadable runic inscriptions on a comb of northern manufacturing tradition, among other artifacts. It is likely that the authors of these inscriptions had some knowledge of runic writing, but did not fully master it. They could have been members of a marginalized group of Scandinavians or part of the generation of settlers who had largely lost connection with their original cultural tradition.