The Black Grave is the largest burial mound in Chernihiv, Ukraine. It rises over 10 metres into the air and stretches across a circumference of 170 metres at its base. This massive earthen structure forms part of the National Sanctuary of Ancient Chernihiv.
Dmitry Samokvasov led excavations during 1872 and 1873. He uncovered two cremated bodies buried deep within the mound that belonged to Norse warriors who likely were father and son. The excavation revealed a hidden world beneath the soil surface containing arms armour and decorative objects.
Samokvasov dated this entire burial complex to the late 10th century. Vladimir I ruled Kievan Rus during that specific historical period. No local potentate appears in Slavonic chronicles before Mstislav of Chernihiv which suggests these princes held power without official record.
All recovered items now rest inside the State Historical Museum in Moscow. The museum houses weapons jewelry idols and ceremonial objects together including silver-bound aurochs horns and golden Byzantine coins. The original site belongs to the Chernihiv National Architecture-Historical Reserve Ancient Chernihiv.
Weapons recovered from the site included an imported sabre and two helmets along with knee-length chain mail known as hauberks. A cauldron containing ram bones sat close to the pyre alongside two sacerdotal knives and golden Byzantine coins. A miniature dark-red bronze idol of Thor occupied a central spot while silver-bound aurochs horns decorated with floral motifs wrapped around the scene.