Archaeologists found an pendant in Russia showing a Christian saint and a Medusa-like figure

PC: Novgorod State University Archaeologists have found an 11th-century pendant in Staraya Russa that combines an image of a Christian saint with a woman’s head featuring snake-like hair. The copper-alloy pendant was uncovered during excavations at the Pyatnitsky site, in an ancient urban household in an area that was being developed in the 11th century. Its two sides carry different images. One features a relief of a warrior saint holding a spear and shield, identified as probably Saint Theodore Stratelates. According to Novgorod State University, the other depicts a woman’s head with snake-like hair, based on the image of Gorgon Medusa.What does the 11th-century pendant found in Staraya Russa depictThe newly found serpentine dates to the 11th century and is one of the earliest examples known from the medieval Novgorod land. It was found during excavations at the Pyatnitsky site in Staraya Russa, inside an ancient urban household. At the time, the area was still being developed. The pendant is made from a copper-based alloy. One side shows a raised image of a warrior saint holding a spear and shield, probably Theodore Stratelates. The other side shows a woman’s head with snake-lik...