The Origins of Russ: 3D-visualization of Rurik's settlement, Beloozero and Izborsk of X century
The computerized visualization The Origins of Russ is a set of interactive three-dimensional models of the first settlements of the Ancient Russ, traditionally linked to the establishment of the Russian Statehood, including: Beloozero (Vologda Region), Slovensk (Rurik’s Settlement, Novgorod Region) and Izborsk (Pskov Region).
The models demo the way the settlements could appear like in the 10th century — in their flourishing early medieval years. It needs to be understood that the period covered by the project is a millennium away from the present day, and thus due to the obvious reasons there are no full-fledged archaeological data available for a holistic and verified reconstruction of the ancient settlements. Therefore, the visualization on the whole is hypothetical in its nature, an attempt at artistic impression and interpretation of the materials available. The models have been built from scratch on the basis of the historical data available, of the author’s understanding of the existing archaeological descriptions and logic. For instance, the archaeological data on dimensions of a few remaining timber sets of residential buildings were extrapolated on to the buildings all across the settlement etc. Besides, the so-called typological approach has been extensively used to allow recreating in detail the original appearance of certain objects based on the data of their analogs originating from other areas. Thus, to recreate 3D-models of residential and support buildings of the settlements in question the experience of the Russian archaeologists in charge of the recreation of a Slavic village of the 10th century in the culture and education museum center of Lyubytino, Novgorod Region was used (section Lyubytino).
The main purpose of the project is to make an effort to create a hypothetic visual of Ancient Russ settlements, to demonstrate their ingenuity, to help preserve and popularize the cultural and historical heritage of Russia. The reconstruction is aimed at boosting relevance of the scientific dialog of the ancient period of our country, the appearance and lifestyles of its first towns. The authors of the visual guide would be grateful to the Russian historical and archaeological community for comments and supplements, which could help develop and further detail the model in the future.
The project became possible owing to the grant funds allocated to NGO "Lake Peipsi Project, Pskov" by the Institute of Civic Society Problematics (Moscow) in line with the implementation of project №402-12 “The Origins of Russ: introducing modern technologies of cultural positioning of towns as centers for the Russian Statehood: Velikiy Novgorod, Belozersk, Old Izborsk”, financed through RF Presidential directive of May 3, 2012 №216-rp "On state aid throughout 2012 to nonprofit nongovernmental organizations participating in the development of civic society institutes".
