Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Cathedral of the Archangel inside the Moscow Kremlin on Thursday to inspect the open sarcophagus of Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy, whose remains were uncovered last month during restoration work at a location historians had not expected.
Putin views newly discovered remains of medieval prince Dmitry Donskoy at Moscow's Kremlin cathedral
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Cathedral of the Archangel inside the Moscow Kremlin on Thursday to inspect the open sarcophagus of Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy, whose remains were uncovered last month during restoration work at a location historians had not expected.
The Russian Orthodox Church announced the discovery on Tuesday, saying the remains were nearly complete and well-preserved, belonging to a man of just under 180 cm who died of natural causes between the ages of 35 and 45. 'All these characteristics correspond with written sources and historical testimony concerning the life and death of the grand prince,' the church said.
The Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences said in a Friday statement that the lid of Donskoy's sarcophagus was found split into four parts. After it was removed, archaeologists found the remains dusted with white stone chips and mortar fragments that had fallen through the cracks. The remains were clothed in ornate burial attire, including a well-preserved outer layer of dense fabric woven in a complex geometric pattern and a less well-preserved inner layer comprising a braided cord, sleeve fragments, collar fragments, and a shoe.
Nikolai Makarov, vice president of the Russian Academy of Sciences and director of the Institute of Archaeology, said the examination was conducted 'using a specialized method, without a full archaeological protocol' and that 'nothing was removed.' He added that textile remains and several fragments were collected for subsequent laboratory analysis, with the objective of preserving the prince's remains as found, according to Russian state-owned outlet RIA Novosti.
The Cathedral of the Archangel, situated within the Kremlin fortress, served as the burial site for more than 40 Russian tsars and princes. Donskoy's body was known to be interred there, but its discovery in a crypt by the southern wall surprised historians who had believed it was located elsewhere in the building.
Donskoy, who died in 1389 at age 39, ruled the principalities of Muscovy and Vladimir, which later became the core of the Russian state. He oversaw construction of the first stone Kremlin fortress, expanded the territory of Muscovy, and defeated forces of the Mongol horde in a battle near the Don river in 1380.
- The source does not state which specific location within the cathedral historians had previously believed the remains were situated.
- The source does not state what the laboratory analysis of the textile and bone fragments is expected to determine or when results are anticipated.
- The source does not state who conducted or will conduct the laboratory analysis, or which institution is responsible.
- The source does not describe what restoration work prompted the discovery or who commissioned it.
- The source does not include any statement from Putin beyond his physical actions at the site.
Read the original at The Jerusalem Post