Published April 2, 2021 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Graffiti on the fragments of frescoes in Saints Borys and Hlib cathedral in the holdings of the National Conservation Area "St. Sophiia of Kyiv"

Creators

  • 1. Doctor hab. of Historical Sciences, Deputy General Director for Scientific Work of the National Conservation Area «St. Sophia of Kyiv»
  • 2. Senior Researcher of the Research and Repository Department of the National Conservation Area "St. Sophia of Kyiv"

Description

Graffiti is one of important sources to research historical past. That is why primary task of a modern epigraphy is a comprehensive study of epigraphic records. This study provides to measure informational potential of epigraphic records as fully as possible and to introduce relevant results into scientific circulation in order to use this source in historical studies. As these records are widespread, their full publication usually involves grouping into separate corpuses according to the place of discovery, whether it is a specific architectural monument, city or region. Such corpus publication of epigraphic records for Chernihiv and outskirts was conducted recently, in 2018. However, ten graffiti from Saints Borys and Hlib Cathedral were not included in it. They were previously discovered during M. Kholostenko's researches of the monument in 1948, 1950 and 1956. Eight graffiti were preserved in original condition on the fragments of fresco plaster. M. Kholostenko transferred them to the National Conservation Area “St. Sophiia of Kyiv” and later they moved to its holdings collection. Other two graffiti could not be found in original shape, and thus they were studied according to the scientist’s drawings of finds that were kept in the field and report documentation on architectural & archaeological researches in the temple. These materials also appeared in the conservation area holdings collection at different times. The original graffiti research was conducted in line with established methods of epigraphic records studying that involved taking photos of each plaster piece in side light, printing a photo and drawing slots while studying the original graffiti, scanning clear drawing and joining it with the photo on the same scale. Our holdings collection examinations ascertained that two graffiti from the excavations of 1948 and 1950 belonged to medieval times, and others discovered during 1956 research were made in early modern epoch. All ten graffiti of Saints Borys and Hlib Cathedral are published for the first time and they complement existing corpus of Chernihiv epigraphic records.

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References

  • Arkhiv M. V. Kholostenka. «Borysohlibskyi sobor v m. Chernihovi». Doslidzhennia [The archive of M. V. Kholostenko. «Borys and Hlib Cathedral in Chernihiv». Research] (NADR 1649/32. National Conservation Area «St. Sophia of Kyiv»). Kyiv, Ukraine.
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