A Witness of the Matrimonial Rituals from Old Novgorod. Inscription on a Bone from the 13th Century Excavated 2020

In the summer of 2020, a fragment cow's rib with Cyrillic inscription was found at excavations in Novgorod. The place find is one richest boyar estates Lyudin quarter medieval time document hitting ground last 13th—the first twenty years 14th century. fully preserved, it contains whole readable message. historical and cultural value lies content its compact inscription: unique evidence bride-price agreement. terminology value: bride, on whose behalf text written, groom (addressee) are designated not by their own names (Christian or pre-Christian), but images ritual folklore wedding — kuna ‘marten’ (she) sobol’a ‘sable’ (he). no less interesting. communicates an idea dialogue between two sides marriage ritual. new matrimonial rites associated oral-written communication expands our understanding this sphere culture allows us to correct some interpretations few birch bark letters topic marriage.