A 10th-century Scandinavian plaque depicting a fantastic animal was found in the Tver region

In the Tver region, archaeologists discovered a 10th-century Scandinavian plaque depicting a fantastic animal. This was reported by the TOP Tver website with reference to the Usvyatsky expedition of the Institute of Computer Science and Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The find was made during excavations in Toropets, on the Great Settlement. The belt or bridle plate dates back to the 10th century and is made in the Borre style - it was named after the place in Norway where the most famous set of such decorations was discovered. Experts note that the animal on the plate looks like a cat, and the ornament allows us to confidently speak about the Scandinavian origin of the item.

Such items were worn not only by members of the nobility: they were found in rich burials of warriors and merchants, including in Rus'. There is a belt with such overlays in Sweden. Archaeologists emphasize that the northern type of house-building recorded at Bolshoye Gorodishche is in good agreement with such finds.