Tsaritsyno Mounds

Tsaritsyno Mounds are one of the most famous archaeological monuments of Moscow of 11th-13th centuries. Burial grounds are located on the left and right banks of the Upper Tsaritsyno pond. About a thousand years ago, the entire territory of present day Moscow was surrounded by Vyatichi settlements. One of the small settlements was located on the site of the future Tsaritsyno.

Necropolis was located close to the Vyatichi dwellings. Together with ashes, jewelry and household items were placed in the grave. Female jewelry found on site includes seven-sided temporal rings and “lattice” rings with patterned slits. In male graves knives and sickles were found. A memorial feast and ritual competitions were performed by Vyatichi during the funeral. After this, a circular mound up to two meters high was made above the grave. Today in Tsaritsyno dozens of such burial mounds are preserved.