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Revision as of 16:47, 16 November 2006 by Ghirlandajo (talk | contribs) (new article)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Lyubsha (Russian: Любша) is an archaeological site situated on the right bank of the Volkhov, about 1,500 metres downstream from Staraya Ladoga. As was established by the 1993 excavations, Lyubsha is the site of the earliest Varangian fort in Russia, established in the first half of the 8th century, thus predating Ladoga.
The fortress was destroyed by fire towards the end of the 9th century. Constantine Zuckerman connects its destruction with a conflict (Vadim's uprising) that marked the downfall of the Rus' Khaganate. The Norse name of Lyubsha is unknown.
Immediately north of Lyubsha lies the village of Gorchakovshchina, which used to be a trading post at the head of navigation on the Volkhov, near its ancient entry into the Lake Ladoga. Machinsky ranks it, along with Lyubsha and Alaborg, among the most important centres of the khaganate.
References
- Петренко В.П., Шитова Т.Е. Любшанское городище и средневековые поселения Северного Поволховья. // Средневековая Ладога. Leningrad, 1985.
- Zuckerman C. Les centres proto-urbains russes entre Scandinavie, Byzance et Orient. // Realites byzantines 7. Paris, 2000. P. 95-120.
- Мачинский Д.А. О роли финноязычного населения бассейнов Волхова и Великой в сложении этносоциума "Русь" (VIII-XI вв.) // Современное финноугроведение. Опыт и проблемы. Leningrad, 1990.