A Wooden comb from the excavations of medieval Pinsk: an experience of comprehensive research

Abstract

The article introduces into scientific circulation a wooden comb from the excavations of medieval Pinsk. This comb was discovered in 1963 during the archaeological research under the leadership of P. F. Lysenko on the territory of the fortified part adjacent to the Pinsk stronghold. A feature of the comb is its linear-circular ornamentation, supplemented with a pigment of dark red colour. In order to study by non-destructive methods the pigment contained inside the elements of the circular ornament of the comb, as well as the macrostructure of the wood of the comb, the object was studied using a video spectral comparator Regula 4305D in infrared and ultraviolet light. Based on the study of the degree of penetration of infrared rays and the absence of luminescence in ultraviolet light, it was established that cinnabar could be used as a pigment. The study of the macrostructure and preservation of the wood of the comb allows us to say that it was made of boxwood. Taking into account the analogies found in the materials from the excavations of Novgorod, as well as items from the collections of world museums, the comb can be dated no earlier than the 15th century. Most likely, this comb was an object of import. The need for a more thorough primary processing of archaeological materials in the field in order to detect possible traces of paint on objects made of organic materials is noted.