Pages: 163-172

Substance found in clay pot during Ladoga exavations was studied by electron microscopy with element analysis and gas chromatography — mass spectrometry and considered as a vulnerary and burntreatng extrinsic medicine mainly consisting of birch bark powder. Stratigraphic analysis of ceramics allowed to connect this find with the pagan temple destroyed in 986—991 during Cristianization. This discovery of the ancient medicine based on birch bark precedes the established discovery of betulin (active substance of birch bark) by J. T. Lowitz by 700 years and enlightens some aspects of contemporary medical practice. Moreover, it provides archaeological evidence to one of the Icelandic sagas referring to the Ancient Rus.

Keywords: Staraya Ladoga, Viking Age, natural-scientific methods of analysis, ancient medicine, birch bark

Information about authors:

Tatiana Senichenkova (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. State Hermitage Museum. Dvortsovaya Emb., 34, Saint Petersburg, 191181, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Sergei Uriupov (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). State Hermitage Museum. Dvortsovaya Emb., 34, Saint Petersburg, 191181, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]