The second volume on the environmental context of Medieval Novgorod is forthcoming from Archeopress. Here a blurb on a complex and interesting project
Novgorod was one of the most important towns of medieval Russia and has wonderfully well-preserved archaeological deposits, in places over 7 meters deep, dating back to the mid-10th century. Due to the anaerobic conditions of the waterlogged site, both organic and inorganic finds are incredibly well preserved. This includes numerous finds of leather, birch bark, wood, textile, plant remains and so on as well as iron, bronze, and other metals, although like the organic material, these start to deteriorate when they are removed from the soil.
Russian archaeologists have been excavating at Novgorod since 1932 – every summer except during WWII. The results are internationally known, as they have revealed exceptional evidence not just of artefacts and their production but also the timber buildings, property boundaries, streets and defences of the town. Combined with the evidence for long-distance trade (Novgorod was an important member of the Hanseatic trading community), the town offers enormous potential for research projects of all shapes and sizes.
via Medieval Novgorod | Archaeology Group | Bournemouth University.