Pages: 281-298

The article focuses on a local group of socially-prestigious ornaments — crystal (occasionally glass) oval medallionpendants in silver looped (less often toothed) frames, widespread in the late 12th — early 13th century in the lands on the forest-steppe borderlands of the Kiev, Volhynia and Galicia principalities and in the zone of their contacts with the steppe. An analysis of the archaeological context of the ancient finds of medallions and a few analogies from nomadic burials revealed in this region made it possible to link their appearance here with the presence among the population of the region of a significant layer of professional soldiers and their families. For the female part of this privileged group, such decorations were, apparently, quite prestigious and at the same time available. Thanks to the relative simplicity of production, more precisely the framing of imported inserts, local masters could well satisfy the demand for them.

Keywords: Old Rus, 12th—13th centuries, medallions from rock crystal, fortified ancient Russian settlements, nomadic burials, cross-border zones, cultural interference

Information about authors:

Anna Peskova (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation.
E-mail: [email protected]
Svetlana Ryabtseva (Kishinev, Moldova). Doctor of History. Institute of Cultural Heritage of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. Stefan cel Mare Bd., 1, Kishinev, MD-2001, Moldova
E-mail: [email protected]