History Students Find a 16th–17th Century Stylised Coat of Arms of Volodymyr

During excavations in the historical part of Volodymyr, the students of Faculty of History, Political Science and National Security of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University found a unique artefact, a stylised city coat of arms.

Rector of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, Anatolii Tsos, together with Lecturer of Department of History of Ukraine and Archaeology, representative and researcher of the Protective Archaeological Service of Ukraine Viktor Baiiuk, visited the ancient city, the excavations site, talked to students and the city Mayor Ihor Palionka.

12 students of Faculty of History, Political Science and National Security with their mentors are conducting the necessary archaeological research within the framework of the network reconstruction project in the central part of the city at the archaeological site.

According to Viktor Baiiuk, the students are using the archaeological method to investigate areas requring to laying new pipes. It was in one of these areas where the remains of a building were discovered, which could be the city magistrate's house, the house of a city official, the city mayor, or a person somehow related to the city administration.

"We discovered an interesting 16th century building with the rubble of a tiled kiln, with the title of the city coat of arms. We are currently conducting research to ensure the technological possibility of implementing the project on the reconstruction of city networks and to investigate the vulnerable heritage during construction and installation works," Viktor Baiiuk said.

A student Danylo Kononets, one of those who unearthed the valuable find, recalls that when he and his colleagues explored the site layer by layer, they came across a clay fragment, which later turned out to be a tile stove.

"When we removed the soil in layers, we began to find tiles, but they were simple and unvarying. Later on, we got more interesting fragments, thicker and curvier. We carefully tried to assemble the fragments and got a stylized coat of arms of Volodymyr," a fourth-year student recalled.

The guys involved in the research admit that such a find inspires them and motivates for further work.

During a meeting with Mayor of Volodymyr, Viktor Baiiuk showed Ihor Palionka a unique find.

The historian noted that the coat of arms of Volodymyr is the oldest city coat of arms in Ukraine, as certified in 1324 on a letter from the city of Volodymyr to the German city of Stralsund.

The archaeologist explained that the unearthed crown of the tile kiln is a derivative of the Old Rus coat of arms, now the official city coat of arms and dating back to the 16th–17th centuries.

"This is an average between the ancient Rus coat of arms of the 12th century and the modern coat of arms of Volodymyr. The found stylization refers approximately to the 16th–17th century, since Yurii Zmiyeborets is a Latakh. Here it was supplemented, because in the Old Rus period there was no armour, as it could not be technologically manufactured. At the time of the developed Middle Ages, Yurii Zmieborets was shown to be a contemporary," noted Viktor Baiiuk.

The lecturer also emphasized that the find is identical to the coat of arms of the 14th OMBR named after Prince Roman the Great, their sleeve insignia and flag.

Later, Mayor was shown a drawing and a photograph of the find, where the image is more clearly visible.

"Undoubtedly, this is an important find showing the meaning of the city, the durability of its self-government, importance, and international connections," Victor Baiiuk concluded.

Mayor of Volodymyr Ihor Palionka thanked the university for its cooperation and noted that the coat of arms found by the students is very important for the city.

"This find confirms the authenticity of our city and indicates that local self-government was born a long time ago. We will tell our citizens and international partners about it," Mayor said.

In turn, Rector of the university, Anatolii Tsos, thanked the local authorities of Volodymyr and Viktor Baiiuk for research organisation.

"The find is a vivid example of the effective implementation of dual education. I also want to thank our students and assure them that they will become the best specialists," Anatolii Tsos said.

Currently, the works are still in process as Lesya's archaeologists have found 3 more stylised coats of arms of Volodymyr and a ceramic horseman's figurine. All finds will later be processed by the appropriate restorers.