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The Archaeology of medieval Novgorod, RussiaCraft Production, Environment and Landscape: An Archaeological Study of Centre/Periphery Relationships based on the evidence of the exploitation and processing of natural resources in medieval Novgorod and its region (INTAS-00-154) * A selection of beaver bones from Novgorod excavations  * Collecting samples of wood offcuts Project Co-ordinator: Mark Brisbane, Bournemouth University The Results of the Project The project took as its starting point a number of material types that could be investigated through the archaeological record. Primary amongst these were wood (its use for objects, buildings, roads and other structures, and fuel); plants (their exploitation for food and other uses, such as dyes); clays for ceramic use; metals (especially iron and copper alloy but also gold and silver); minerals such as iron ore and those used for glass-making; wild and domesticated animals and fish (for food, wool, hides and pelts, use of bone for objects, etc.). Animal bones of domesticates were also studied for evidence of butchery patterns. All of these materials could be studied in Novgorod and many of the other selected sites due to the excellent preservation of organic materials.The exploitation of these materials within the Novgorod territory (hereafter Novgorod Land) was examined by Russian and EU specialists. The materials were put into context by experts studying the historic settlement patterns of the period under study and by those studying site and artefact data. This provided a means to examine differing distribution patterns across selected areas of Novgorod Land (specifically Novgorod itself; Ryurik Gorodishche some 3kms to the south of Novgorod; Stara Russa some 60kms to the south across Lake Ilmen; and sites in Byeloozero some 450kms to the NE of Novgorod on the very fringe of Novgorod Land). Where possible, the location of specific activities were identified and studied (e.g. skinning areas for hides and subsequent processing in leather workshops) and comparisons made between rural and urban types of activities. In addition, background data was collected on the following topics to put these materials into their environmental and geographical context: geological and historic land-use; soils, clays and mineral deposits; palynology; archaeobotany; and archaeozoology. Impact of the Results The project has integrated wherever possible Russian and EU knowledge and expertise that makes this work of interest to scholars on a number of different levels. Firstly, it has brought this well-preserved material to a wider audience, making it accessible to specialists and generalists alike. Second, it has produced a case study that will be of enormous interest to archaeologists, medievalists, historians, artifact specialists, environmentalists and others. And it has built upon previous INTAS supported projects (93-463 and 96-099) to develop knowledge transfer between the various teams and specialists involved, including the use and development of various technological analyses of materials (e.g. optical metallurgy of metals and crucibles, together with chemical and microprobe analyses). It has also provided training for young scientists in the use of new techniques (e.g. metal analyses and the identification of leather remains to species). Finally, it has produced a model for craft production in medieval Russia within an archaeological, historical and environmental context. Key References Further Information |
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