The Black Grave is a significant archaeological site located in Chernihiv, Ukraine. It is the largest burial mound in the area and holds historical importance as part of the National Sanctuary of Ancient Chernihiv. The Black Grave is recognized as an Archaeological Monument of national importance.
This burial mound is comparable in size and significance to the barrows found in Gnyozdovo near Smolensk. The Black Grave stands at a height of over 10 meters and has a circumference of approximately 170 meters. During excavations carried out in 1872–73 by Dmitry Samokvasov, the site revealed fascinating discoveries.
Within the Black Grave, Samokvasov uncovered the remains of two cremated Norse warriors, along with an array of accompanying artifacts. These artifacts included the remains of slaves, sacrificial animals, weaponry, armor, and decorations. The burial was dated to the late 10th century, a period when Vladimir I ruled over Kievan Rus.
While it is likely that the buried warriors were two princes of Chernihiv, no local potentate is mentioned in the Slavonic chronicles before Vladimir's son, Mstislav of Chernihiv. The funeral process involved cremating the bodies and then placing them on a 7-meter-high mound, where a funeral feast took place. Among the artifacts were two helmets, knee-length chain mail, a cauldron with ram bones, two sacerdotal knives, two golden Byzantine coins, an imported sabre, a miniature dark-red bronze idol of Thor, and two silver-bound aurochs horns adorned with floral motifs, mythical creatures, and figures of a man and a woman shooting at a bird. A stele was placed at the top of the barrow upon its completion.
Today, these artifacts are displayed at the State Historical Museum in Moscow. The Black Grave, along with the surrounding area, is part of the Chernihiv National Architecture-Historical Sanctuary known as Ancient Chernihiv. It serves as a major tourist attraction in the Chernihiv Oblast of Ukraine, offering a glimpse into the rich history and archaeological heritage of the region.