SAEDNEWS: Archaeologists in Vyborg, Russia, have uncovered two remarkable artifacts that offer a fresh perspective on the city’s medieval and post-medieval past.
According to Saed News’ society desk, citing Faradidi, a stone engraved with royal symbols that once belonged to the influential “Tut” family—rulers appointed by the crown—and lost for decades, has been rediscovered in a most unexpected location: the city’s sewer system near Viborg Castle.
Shortly afterward, workers reinforcing the central waterfront stumbled upon a 19th-century dagger strikingly similar to the traditional Caucasian “kama.” These serendipitous finds highlight how layers of history continue to emerge from beneath Viborg’s streets, offering fresh insights into the city’s political and cultural heritage.
Alexander Smirnov, a researcher, notes that some of the most significant discoveries related to Viborg Castle were not made within the castle itself, but at distant and wholly unexpected sites.
The story dates back to the late 19th century, when a young researcher, Alfred Hackman, conducted the first systematic archaeological survey of Viborg Castle. During his studies, he sketched a mysterious carved stone installed in one of the castle walls. While Hackman’s drawing survived, the stone itself disappeared for over a century.
The situation changed when archaeologists began examining a single-story building from the 1770s on the far side of the waters adjacent to the castle. During a routine excavation, they encountered a sealed sewer passage. When they lifted and cleaned the heavy stone cover, they realized it was the long-lost heraldic stone of the Tut family, originally adorning the royal chambers in the 1450s.
The emblem—a knightly crest featuring a helmet and plume—likely reflects a regional 15th-century style, distinct from more common Tut family insignia.
Smirnov explains: “It’s a genuine knightly and royal emblem, complete with helmet and plume. Hackman couldn’t have known what he had found, but his pencil sketch matches the rediscovered stone perfectly. A 15th-century knightly symbol—authentic medieval craftsmanship deserving a prominent place in a museum.”
Examples of common Tut family emblems. The knightly stone discovered in Viborg, with its helmet and plume engraving, likely represents a unique regional variant from the 15th century, distinct from standard versions.
Archaeological work in Viborg continues. In the old cathedral, preservation teams are stabilizing ancient stone structures. Meanwhile, while reinforcing the slope of Severnij Val Street in the city center, another unexpected find emerged.
Buried about a meter underground, workers uncovered an old dagger that quickly drew the attention of local authorities. The Leningrad regional government confirmed the discovery on November 2.
Vladimir Tsvy, deputy head of the regional administration, stated: “The dagger is now being restored and examined by Viborg Castle specialists. If its historical value is confirmed, it will join the museum collection and reveal a new chapter of Viborg’s past.”
Preliminary estimates date the dagger to the 19th century. Its shape closely resembles the double-edged Caucasian kama, a weapon whose name originates from Ottoman terminology.
The rediscovery of the Tut family heraldic stone and the 19th-century kama-style dagger underscores Viborg’s rich archaeological heritage. These findings show that traces of medieval and post-medieval city life continue to surface in the most unexpected places—from castle fortifications to sewer systems and urban construction projects.
As research continues, archaeologists anticipate more discoveries that will deepen public understanding of a multilayered city shaped by Swedish knights, medieval fortresses, and a diverse cultural legacy.
