10th-Century Dragons: A Unique Viking Age Artifact Discovered in Veliky Novgorod

During excavations in the historic center of Veliky Novgorod, archaeologists discovered a rare artifact—a gilded 10th-century cheekpiece decorated with images of dragons in the Scandinavian Borre style. This discovery, unique in Russia, testifies to the close ties between Ancient Rus' and the cultures of Northern Europe.

The artifact was found at the Troitsky excavation site in Lyudino Konost, a district where Novgorod nobility settled. The cheekpiece, a piece of harness for controlling a riding horse, is crafted with exceptional skill: a composition of intertwined dragon heads and spiraling paws creates a complex three-dimensional pattern.

Laboratory tests at Lomonosov Moscow State University revealed that the item is cast from brass and covered with a thin layer of gold plating. All the holes were hand-made with jeweler's precision. Experts believe this luxurious piece of horse harness could have belonged to a high-ranking warrior or member of the nobility.

The find's stylistic execution makes it particularly valuable. The design is consistent with the canons of the Borre style, characteristic of the Viking Age. Its distinctive features are complex zoomorphic compositions, where mythical creatures seem to "grab" themselves with their paws, creating a dynamic visual harmony.

It took restorers months of painstaking work to clean and strengthen the fragile metal. The artifact will now be displayed in the Novgorod Museum-Reserve's permanent collection, adding to the picture of the ancient city's cultural and trade connections.

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