On a Grave Symbol From Northwest Belarus

[Waidewut]

ON A GRAVE SYMBOL FROM NORTHWEST BELARUS
Andrei Prokhorov

Abstract: The article focuses on an interpretation of a funeral symbol found on the gravestones in Northwest Belarus – an engraved image of a pole with a semicircle at its top. The gravestones are connected to the archaeological culture of stone tombs of Yotvingian origin. Possibly, this symbol has been given a wider perspective in the world of late paganism of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and its neighboring territories. This symbol represents an idea of ‘the world axis’, and its main mythological meaning has been to create a communication between the souls of the dead and the upper celestial world which has been imagined as ‘the celestial mountain’.
Key words: ‘celestial mountain’, cosmological symbol, funerary ritual, gravestone,
North Star (polestar), Slavic and Baltic mythology, ‘world axis’

PDF (http://www.folklore.ee/folklore/vol42/prokhorov.pdf)

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg528/scaled.php?server=528&filename=akmei.png&res=medium

[lI]

Speaking of Belarus, here's a recent discovery (not related to Balts since it's estimated to be from 12th century and by that time Balts would have probably been mostly assimilated in that area, but interesting nonetheless):


A unique discovery was made by the divers. At first none believed them that at a depth of the river lies priceless archaeological artifact. It was decided to rise it to the surface only after underwater photography was taken and archaeologists examined the wooden statue.

Idol is pre-dated to 12th century, accurate information will appear not earlier than a month after the study of the History Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, where the idol was taken. Initially it is considered the idol depicts Perun or Weles.

The idol weighs 200 kg, is made of oak block, a height of 1 m 22 cm, width at the bottom 1 m. According to historian Denis Duk, the eyes, mouth, chin can be clearly identified in anthropomorphic sculpture. The idol was buried by sand and pressed down by the trees, so it kept vertical position and was not removed by the river current. The idol has tracks of burnings, scientists believe that this could indicate that it was burned during the Christianization then tossed into a river. This was a typical proceedings for other idols in Rus.

Near the village Krasnopolje and Amosienki at which the idol has been found, there are traces of ancient settlements and burial mounds (kurhany). But for now the shrine was not found.

Once the salvage operation was completed, a pagan deity was put in a specially prepared box and handed over to Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences. After the restoration and preservation works the idol will take honourable place at the exhibition of archaeological finds of the Institute.kn1XDM007r8

http://s2.postimage.org/48uzmhs5j/2989028.jpg
http://s1.postimage.org/ch0gjz4yl/diving1508_01.jpg

http://s1.postimage.org/3sdbcjpb1/diving1508_02.jpg
http://s1.postimage.org/hd43bo53x/diving1508_04.jpg
http://s4.postimage.org/tkykc1sh7/diving1508_05.jpghttp://s2.postimage.org/rxf2vie2v/2968568.jpg

The find was made in the river Drissa, Rassonski Region Vitebsk district of Belarus.
http://aprettywoman.com/gifs1/maps/belarus_vitebsk.jpg

[inactive_member]

Speaking of Belarus, here's a recent discovery (not related to Balts since it's estimated to be from 12th century and by that time Balts would have probably been mostly assimilated in that area, but interesting nonetheless):


I watched the news with interest. The carbon dating analysis was carried out in Germany confirming the idol is no older than 25-30 years old if I am not mistaken.Unfortunately, the idol is a fake.

[Kryvich]

I watched the news with interest. The carbon dating analysis was carried out in Germany confirming the idol is no older than 25-30 years old if I am not mistaken.Unfortunately, the idol is a fake.

Is that the case? Damn... that kills the fun. :eek:

Anyways, I've read that some Yotvingians used to live in what is now Northern Belarus.

[inactive_member]

Is that the case? Damn... that kills the fun. :eek:

Anyways, I've read that some Yotvingians used to live in what is now Northern Belarus.

That could have been quite a discovery if the idol 800-1000 years old.

Yotvingians lived in western Belarus, eastern Poland and southern Lithuania. A small settlement of Yotvingians surrvived to 19th century in Hrodna region. The burial mounds made of stones found in the region are attributed to them.


A union of Slavic tribes Krivichi lived in Viciebsk region. Krivichi buried their dead in long burial mounds. It's widely accepted that some Baltic tribes were in the union of Krivichi. As mentioned by another forum member above it's likely early Balts were assimilated by Slavs by 10-11th century in Viciebsk region. The Baltic tribe Latgalians lived close to the region.

[lI]

Regarding Yotvingians & Krivichi, these maps seem pretty good:

Yotvingians
http://spadczyna.com/history/reference/b_jacwiahi.htmhttp://imageshack.us/a/img163/756/yotvingians.png




Kriviches XI century
http://spadczyna.com/history/reference/b_krywiczy.htm
http://imageshack.us/a/img838/5803/krivichi.png

[inactive_member]

Thanks Link! These are better looking maps. :)

[inactive_member]

The idol was found in Viciebsk region. Latvian historians stated the crosses are identical to those found In Latvia, which they linked to Māra calling the cross the "cross of crosses", "fire cross" or "cross of Māra". I am not sure if I am translating the names of the cross accurately. Interesting, Mara translates to a 'dream' in Belarusian which is a coincidence.



http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/4940/ajva.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/593/ajva.jpg/)





Cemetry in North-western Belarus



Stones with Solar symbols



http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/816/b6mv.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/534/b6mv.jpg/)



http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4255/2547.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/202/2547.jpg/)

[inactive_member]

The famous stone called 'Dzed' which stood in pagan heathen on Svislač river in Minsk. The stone is in Stone Museum now.


http://s8.postimg.org/gxlugsvol/Boulder_Ded_Minsk.jpg (http://postimage.org/)





Idol from Pružany, western Belarus (Yotvingian settlement).



http://s17.postimg.org/l33ju3lzz/stone_cross_a16.jpg (http://postimage.org/)






This idol is kept in the Geophisics Institute. It's suggested that the idol maybe the idol of Māra because it has 4 'fire crosses'.



http://s24.postimg.org/45vb8fx1h/img_5776_462.jpg (http://postimage.org/)





This idol is from Stolin, southern Belarus (near Pinsk). The idol is also called the idol of Māra because it has a 'fire cross'.



http://s9.postimg.org/57xlgt0db/2007_161_124.jpg (http://postimage.org/)






Schklov idol from Slonim, western Belarus. This idol maybe Slavic.




http://s12.postimg.org/sc4pwhlal/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)





Symbols on the stones which are kept in the Stone Museum, Minsk.



http://s23.postimg.org/wta9i25sr/img_5155_209.jpg (http://postimage.org/)



http://s23.postimg.org/h6j04os0r/img_5171_198.jpg (http://postimage.org/)



http://s23.postimg.org/yijcq4li3/kudinovichi_563.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




The Devil's Stone. There are many Devil's stones which were called the Great Stones. The name Devil's was given to them by Christians.



http://s17.postimg.org/f3pg1awwv/062_211.jpg (http://postimage.org/)





Some Churches are using the stones for their purposes.




http://s24.postimg.org/e8sgu55hh/093_147.jpg (http://postimage.org/)





Stones with interesting patterns on them near Minsk.




http://s12.postimg.org/s7a5easr1/31_159.gif (http://postimage.org/)




http://s12.postimg.org/5u2erhrt9/33_205.gif (http://postimage.org/)






This is the largest stone in Belarus. It's also called the Devil's or the Great stone. It weighs about 1000 tonnes. According to the legend if one circles the stone around he or she will go astray.



http://s23.postimg.org/sw5tuztgb/80be4c9efb4a.jpg (http://postimage.org/)




This stone is kept in a Brest Museuem. Some people believe the cross on the stone doesn't look Christian.



http://s14.postimg.org/dgcwbba1t/i_209.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[inactive_member]

More sacred stones from Belarus





Two stones from village Pljaban',




http://s13.postimg.org/6i2fx4fqv/img_0074.jpg (http://postimage.org/)



http://s23.postimg.org/bykledo7v/img_7489.jpg (http://postimage.org/)








Credence stone. Shkljantsy , Viciebsk region.


http://s10.postimg.org/54pjrab6x/foto5.jpg (http://postimage.org/)





Village Volma, Minsk region


http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/646/zxkh.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/822/zxkh.png/)





Village Yurshishki. The picture was drawn by Shukevich in 1900.


http://s9.postimg.org/fcniy9l3z/ris1.jpg (http://postimage.org/)





Snake's stone. There is a legend about this stone. :) Vicebsk region, northern Belarus



http://s23.postimg.org/6pyr7zkkb/748704.jpg (http://postimage.org/)