PLYNTH IN THE BURIALS OF THE XIth – XIVth CENTURIES IN POLOTSK

Abstract

The article presents materials from studies of burial complexes of the Ancient Rus' period. In some burials, accompanying grave goods were recorded - an ancient brick plinth. It was placed under the head of the deceased. In the literature, such details are defined as “stone pillows”. Researchers associate them with the asceticism of the deceased. 9 graves with plinths were recorded in Polotsk. 4 were in ground burials in church cemeteries and 5 were in sarcophagi of stone churches. The plinth was used from the same monument at which (or in which) the burials were located. In all examples in Polotsk were used one or more pieces of plinth. In some cases, there is a whole brick, but with damage. It has been previously determined that the plinth under the head could have been placed in the grave of a socially significant person.