29 August, Vitebsk /Sergey Kochetov - BELTA/. Ancient Drutsk will form the basis of a historical and archaeological complex, the concept for the creation of which is being developed in the Tolochin District. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by Olga Levko, Head of the Centre for the History of Pre-Industrial Society at the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Doctor of Historical Sciences. The complex being created could become a highlight of tourist routes in the district, not only for the development of domestic tourism but also for travellers from other countries. Drutsk and its surroundings are rich in diverse monuments representing various historical eras, which can attract tourists. Furthermore, with the creation of appropriate infrastructure, this area is suitable for recreation and holding mass events, including knightly tournaments and historical reenactments, which are typically organised in locations that have preserved elements of ancient architecture or terrain, noted Olga Levko. Domestic scientists will also continue their work on researching the territory of ancient Drutsk in search of collective burials, similar to the unique burial with a tombstone discovered in the summer of 2009. Research in this direction continues to expand knowledge about the history of one of the oldest principalities in the territory of modern Belarus. Stone tombstones are characteristic of burials near or inside churches, while scientists attribute kurgan burials to pagan traditions. Therefore, the burial in the Drutsk kurgan may indicate a combination of pagan and Christian traditions. A child aged 6-8 years was buried in the grave with a stone tombstone in a wooden coffin. The kurgan is a collective burial; remains of 38 people were discovered there in total. During the excavations, burial inventory was also found: remnants of clothing (collars) embroidered with gold and with ornamentation of a Byzantine pattern, fabric fragments also of Byzantine pattern, gilded and one silver button. At this stage of research, having compared all the found materials, scientists are inclined to conclude that one of the Drutsk princes was buried in the kurgan with his servants. -0-

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