Archaeologists from the NovSU Research Center discovered rare artifacts in Staraya Russa, including accessories made from walrus ivory. One of the finds was a small rectangular carved object – probably a pin or hairpin from the 12th-13th centuries.
One side is carved with a face, the other side is an animal with its mouth open, creating a human head in the animal's mouth. According to scientists, this item may be associated with the Roman style and may have come to Russia from Europe.
© NovemberSU
Another find was the polished top of the whip in the shape of a bird's head, also made of walrus ivory and with intricate carvings, which is extremely rare in the Novgorod region.
During the excavations of Ilyinsky I and II, later objects from the 19th and 20th centuries were also found: an enamelled pectoral cross, a metal stitched emblem in the shape of a pelican – a symbol of sacrificial love, as well as a piece of glass bottle with the symbol “IO”. A total of about 2,000 objects were found in Staraya Russa in 2025.
