Chaplets as an indicator of the migration route in the 13th and 14th centuries through Kiev to Lithuania

A distinctive feature in development of Vilnius is its multi-confessional surrounding and its competitive communities such as pagan, orthodox and catholic. Orthodox settled in a pagan city from the second half of the 13th century, most likely with the invitation of the Grand Dukes. In the beginning of the 14th century they assimilated the eastern part of the current old town of Vilnius, so called Russian end (Civitas Rutenica), surrounded by Orthodox churches and near the roads of the eastern direction. In 2005, a cemetery was discovered in this part of the city, the research of which is being carried out until now. During the archaeological excavations inhumation burials, dating back to the second half of the AD 13th and beginning of the AD 15th century, were discovered. The research showed that Vilnius orthodox community was buried here. Graves of 531 individuals were investigated together with a great number of human bones from destroyed graves that could reach up to 250 additional individuals. Female burials were distinguished by a rich burial inventory – chaplets made of tin plates, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and various types of rings. The chaplets were probably all gilded, made of silver from a thin cast sheet. Jewellery is exclusive for its high craftsmanship. The chaplets are clearly not of local origin – maybe they were made by local craftsmen, but under the obvious influence of the Slavic traditions. The study of decoration, forms, distribution of chaplet-plates from the territory of Lithuania and its neighbouring countries allows to trace the migration routes of the first Orthodox inhabitants of Lithuania. The hypothesis about evolution of the chaplet-plates and their route to Lithuania is discussed in this article