Black Grave facts for kids
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Чорна могила
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Engraved by Charles Laplante after Achille-Louis-Joseph Sirouy, 1880
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| Location | 4 Kniazia Chornoho Street, Chernihiv, Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine |
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| Coordinates | 51°30′N 31°20′E / 51.500°N 31.333°E |
| Type | Burial |
| Area | 2,300 square metres (25,000 sq ft) |
| Volume | 7,666 cubic metres (10,027 cu yd) |
| Circumference | 170 metres (560 ft) |
| Height | over 10 metres (33 ft) |
| History | |
| Founded | 10th century |
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| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1873 |
| Management | Chernihiv Ancient |
| Designation | Monument of Archeology |
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Invalid designation
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| Official name: Курган "Чорна Могила" (Black Grave kurgan) | |
| Type | Archaeology |
| Reference no. | 250004-Н |
| Burial of prince Chorny | |
The Black Grave (Ukrainian: Чорна могила, romanized: Chorna mohyla) is a very large burial mound, also called a kurgan, located in Chernihiv, Ukraine. It is one of the most important ancient sites in the country. This special place is part of the National Sanctuary of Ancient Chernihiv. It is recognized as an important archaeological monument for the whole nation.
Contents
Discovering the Black Grave
The Black Grave is a huge mound of earth. It stands over 10 meters (about 33 feet) tall. Its base measures 170 meters (about 558 feet) around. This makes it one of the biggest burial mounds in the area.
What Archaeologists Found
In 1872 and 1873, a scientist named Dmitry Samokvasov led a team to dig up and study the Black Grave. This process is called an excavation. They made some amazing discoveries inside.
They found the remains of two Norse warriors. Norsemen were also known as Vikings. These warriors were likely a father and son. Their bodies had been cremated, meaning they were burned.
Buried with Treasures
The warriors were buried with many valuable items. These included weapons, armor, and decorations. They also found evidence of animals that were sacrificed. This shows how important these warriors were.
Scientists believe this burial happened in the late 10th century. This was when Vladimir I was the ruler of Kievan Rus. It is thought that the buried warriors were important princes, or knyazes, of Chernihiv.
A Royal Funeral Feast
After the bodies were cremated, they were placed on top of a 7-meter-high mound. A special funeral feast likely took place there. Many items were arranged near the bodies.
Items Found in the Grave
Archaeologists found two helmets and long chain mail shirts, called hauberks. These were probably taken from the fire. They also discovered a cauldron with ram bones. Two special knives and two golden coins from the Byzantine Empire were also present.
Other finds included an imported sabre (a type of sword). A small bronze statue of Thor, a Norse god, was also uncovered. Two silver-decorated aurochs horns were found too. Aurochs were a type of wild cattle. These horns had beautiful carvings of flowers, mythical animals, and people.
Where the Treasures Are Now
Once the burial mound was finished, a stele (a stone slab) was placed at the very top. All these amazing items are now on display. You can see them at the State Historical Museum in Moscow.
The Black Grave Today
Today, the Black Grave is an important part of the Chernihiv National Architecture-Historical Reserve "Ancient Chernihiv". This reserve includes 34 other historic buildings, many of them churches.
The Black Grave is a major tourist attraction in the Chernihiv Oblast (province) of Ukraine. Visitors come from all over to see this ancient site. It helps us understand the history of the region.
Images for kids
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A panoramic view of the Black Grave mound.
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The Black Grave mound in Chernihiv.
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Sword handles and a golden coin found in the Black Grave.
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An old drawing showing the Black Grave.
