Press releases

MOGILEV, 20 February (BelTA) - The unique open-air archaeological museum will be created on Castle Hill in the town of Mstislavl, BelTA learned from Doctor of History, Professor Igor Marzalyuk, the head of archeology and historical studies at the Kuleshov Mogilev State University.

The new museum will be created on the site of the archeological excavations on Castle Hill that were started last year. The work on the museum project will start once the archeological works are completed this spring. The museum will be centered around the uncovered remains of the ancient settlement in Mstislavl: streets paved with wood, the remains of buildings for various purposes in the area of more than 120sq. m. A group of restorers will be working on the conservation of the wooden structures and streets with special synthetic substances to make them last for decades ahead,” Igor Marzalyuk said.

The archeological site will be covered by the wooden structure which will simulate the Prince's Tower to protect it from rain and sun. Inside there will be an exhibition dedicated to the life of the Slavs who inhabited this place in ancient times. It will feature the archaeological finds unearthed during the excavations: articles made of metal, glass, wood, clay, bone, fabrics, jewelry, tableware and many other things.

"We have enough rare artifacts which we found during the excavations last year to arrange the exposition. We have sets of the finds dating back to different epochs, which will allow us to see how the East Slavs lived in the 10th -17th centuries: from diets to education to weapons,” said Igor Marzalyuk.

The rare finds include a spindle whorl with an inscription in Cyrillic, a leather belt of a warrior, a Byzantine gold wine cup, a big Byzantine crystal bead and a cross-shaped pendent, remains of weapons, clothes and household items. “We are sure that this collection will be further expanded with the archaeological finds we hope we will unearth this year. We will display some of them in the exposition which we expect to open by the Knights' Festival due in late July this year. The museum is to open by this time as well,” Igor Marzalyuk said.