Discoveries and findings of archaeologists in Saint-Sophia Cathedral!

For the second week, archaeological studies of one of the pillars of the temple are being carried out in Saint-Sophia Cathedral. The aim of the work to find out what the supporting structures of the new exposure cover should be in the context of the development of the project “Creating barrier-free accessibility for people with disabilities and other low-mobility population groups to the monuments of the reserve architecture”.

The last research at this place was conducted in 1939 by archaeologist Michael Carger. However, the archival materials of the study have not been preserved to our times, there are only references in the publications of the archaeologist himself. However, these publications lack some of the important facts that our archaeologists have discovered.

It was known. The pillars had an octagonal shape. It was believed that in this form they were made with the help of a special figured thin burnt brick.

Detected. In fact, the pillars were originally built square. Moreover, they were painted in frescoes in the same form. And later, in the XI or XII centuries (it is not yet possible to say exactly) the pillars were given octagonal shapes by simply cutting corners.

It was known. The pillars were laid on a foundation made of large clumps, laid dry.

Detected. This is the reason why the structure is heavily settled, so there were several levels of floor fill in the temple. After all, one level was being flooded, it was breaking and falling, and it was necessary to make a new one. Our archaeologists have counted four levels, most likely related to the XI century.

As for the findings! There were no hopes for the findings, as archaeological work had already been carried out in 1939. However, as it turns out, Sophia-Cathedral still has many treasures. Archaeologists have found dozens of fragments of mosaics and murals, fragments of glassware.

By the end of the week, the cultural layer will again be covered with a cap and a thorough work will be started on the development of a new contemporary project for its exposure.