СROSS PENDANTS FROM FEOFANIA (2016—2017 excavations)

Abstract

The article deals with the analysis of a separate category of personal piety — the cross pendants that were found during archaeological excavations in 2016—2017 on the Feofania settlements. A collection of 29 unbroken cross pendants and fragments are introduced into scientific circulation. All specimens date from the XI—XIII cc.
 Comprehensive analysis of objects allowed to assume a variant of typological characteristics, taking into account the forms of completion of the arms, material and technological features. Thus, 6 major types of crosses have been identified.
 The first type is crosses with curly arms. These include crosses with three-part, two-part and curved blades. The second type is crosses with straight blades. This category of cross pendants includes flat or three-sided, single-sided or double-sided cross blades with slightly extending edges; among them, crosses with iconographic images can be distinguished as a separate subtype. The third type includes two-sided crosses with spherical endings, which are square or rounded at the center, that is ornamented with an ordinary or oblique cross and images of the saints. The fourth type is a cross of the «Scandinavian» type, with embossed ornament on the front side, diamond-shaped center, the ends of which extend and have three convex circles. A separate group consists of specimens made of copper alloys and decorated with recessed enamels. This type is divided into two subtypes. The first includes crosses with rounded blades and paired projections. The second is additionally characterized by projections at the ends in the form of «ears». An amber cross was related to the individual type.