We are actively encouraged to transfer our savings to various financial institutions. But how did our ancient ancestors do without numerous banks, funds, companies and unions, etc.?
Undoubtedly, the ancients recognized a hole in the ground as the most universal means for storing personal valuables. Although such storage did not bring any interest, it was reliable: it is not for nothing that treasures have been stored in the ground for more than one century or even a millennium.
The fate of these ancient "bank cells" is quite interesting.
In the 19th century, peasants, attracted by the "fat" land located on the territory of modern Kolomenskoye (Dyakovskoye settlement), secretly transferred the land to their gardens. Even then, bronze jewelry was found in the ground, which were sold by the ancient buyers. Even then, many were interested that too many jewels were found in the area of the village of Dyakovo. In 1864, excavations began in such a "fruitful" place for amazing finds. And although we are spoiled by cinematic treasures sparkling in huge chests in the light of spotlights, the findings of the first expedition to the Dyakovskoye settlement were rather modest: several bronze coins, bracelets and small buckles. It should be noted that these treasures were buried in the ground for safekeeping by the inhabitants of the poor Finnish cattle-breeding tribes and for them they were of great value. It is unlikely that the poor peasants hid their treasures from each other. Most likely, they feared attacks by Slavic soldiers who seized the territory near the Moskva River to resettle their tribes.
Time passed. In 1888, on Myasnitskaya Street, a treasure was found related to the so-called "put off for a rainy day." Although there were about 900 coins in the hoard, they were copper, and their total purchasing power, at that time, was low. Today, Myasnitskaya is located in the center of the capital, but then it is a backwater, with low and rickety houses. Small traders, who had recently arrived in Moscow, and small traders from the nearest Russian cities: Pskov, Ryazan and Smolensk settled there.
Of course, these treasures do not exhaust all the underground riches hidden in the Moscow land. There are more than fifty ancient "nychek" already found on the territory of Moscow. And how many not found yet ?!
When in 1238 Batu, who passed with a sword through the Russian principalities, approached Moscow, the Russian prince Vladimir, realizing that he could not hold the city, decided to bury the treasures of his ancestors. In the deserted and burning city, Prince Vladimir managed to bury his wealth near the Spassky Gate. For 750 years, the treasure lay in the ground. Today, the treasure of the Moscow prince is called the "Great Kremlin Kdad", which includes more than 300 items: beads, bracelets, rings, handcuffs, gold rings with Arabic script, Viking era jewelry, items from India. All the treasures went to the prince from his famous ancestor - Vladimir Monomakh.
Many treasures were found on the territory of the Kremlin: jewelry dating from the 11th century was found on the Borovitsky Cape, two precious crosses made of gold and precious stones were buried under the Patriarch's Palace, expensive women's jewelry was found near the Assumption Cathedral, and treasures of silver coins were found during the construction of the Kremlin Palace and GUMA 16th century. In almost all excavation work carried out on the territory of old Moscow, treasures are found, most often coins.
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Until now, Russia is expected to find treasures that are the country's treasures. First of all, we are talking about the Amber Room. About 15 years ago, Germany handed over to the Russian side several original fragments of the precious room. The gift of the German king to Tsar Peter was taken away by the Nazis during the Second World War. The Germans placed the amber cabinet in Königsberg in the royal castle. And just before the capture of the city by Russian troops, the Germans took out the amber masterpiece in an unknown direction and no one else saw the treasure. And although the Amber Room was restored in 2003, searches are still ongoing. Anyone who can find this treasure will reveal the mystery of the century.
Another unique treasure of Russia that has never been found is the library of Ivan the Terrible. It is believed that the king hid his unique library himself. Most of the collection is made up of specimens brought by Sophia Palaeologus as her dowry. The library was carefully guarded, and under Vasily III, some copies were translated into Russian.
Traces of the library are lost from the moment Ivan the Terrible ordered to hide it in his estate in the Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda. Since then, the library has been searched in all places associated with Ivan the Terrible: in the Kremlin, in the estates of the tsar near Moscow, Vologda, etc., but to no avail.
Another treasure is sought in the vastness of Russia - the Golden Gate of the city of Vladimir. Since 1164, they decorated the main entrance to Vladimir. The construction was made of copper sheets covered with a very thin layer of gilding. During the Tatar-Mongol attack in the 12th century, the gate was hidden. It is highly likely that they are at the bottom of the Klyazma. There are other places where an ancient artifact may be hidden. And although by the decision of UNESCO, the Vladimir Gate was included in the list of irretrievably lost values, the hope that someday the world will see this masterpiece remains.
Restless treasure hunters from the 17th century and are still looking for the "Tushinsky treasure" in Moscow. Legend says that False Dmitry hid him when the threat of overthrow loomed over him. It was assumed that the treasure was hidden in the Kremlin basements or in the area of modern Tushino, but the search has so far been unsuccessful.
It so happened that it was during the Time of Troubles that many hid their treasures in the ground or under water. For example, in 1611, the Polish king Sigismund III, during the uprising, sent about 900 carts with treasures to Mozhaisk. The carts moved along the Smolensk road, but did not reach Mozhaisk. The search for these treasures has covered the areas adjacent to Mozhaisk and Aprelevka (Moscow Region).
Another treasure belongs to the same time - the treasures of Marina Mnishek. There is an assumption that he should be looked for in the Kolomna Kremlin. It was there that the wife of two False Dmitrys, Marina Mnishek, spent more than a year in prison. She managed to escape from captivity and she could hardly take all her treasures (gifts from numerous lovers and husbands) with her, therefore, most likely, she hid them.
Until now, treasure hunters do not give up hope of finding Napoleon's treasure. After all, he left Moscow with a huge amount of looted treasures. Rumors claim that the exported values amount to about 18 pounds of gold and more than 300 pounds of silver, a huge amount of church utensils, ancient weapons, many precious stones and utensils. Historians believe that Napoleon sent two convoys from burning Moscow: gold (Kremlin treasures) and iron (ancient weapons). Napoleon ordered his subordinates that in the event of a threat of losing the treasure, the escorts should safely hide him. On the territory adjacent to the Smolensk road, along which Napoleon's wealth was transported, small treasures were found, but where most of the loot is located, it remains unknown.
In the suburbs, they are looking for another significant treasure associated with 1812 - the treasures of Count Rostopchin. Not far from Moscow there was a luxurious manor of a nobleman, which was called little Versailles. Count Rostopchin brought the best paintings, dishes, sculptures to his estate. As the French army approached, the count set fire to his estate. But contemporaries are sure that the nobleman managed to hide the most valuable things. In the 20th century, underground passages were found on the territory of the former Rostopchin house, but without even examining them, they were immediately filled up, citing the need for safety.
And in the center of Moscow, the search continues for the extraordinary value of a diamond belonging to the famous Sonya Zolotoy Ruchka. Legend has it that she put it in a samovar and hid this piece of kitchen utensils near the Khitrov market. But besides the diamond, she kept her other treasures in the basements of houses, attics, etc., but these treasures have not yet been found.
Let there be neither oil nor gas in the Moscow land, but the treasures hidden in it are of no less value. Therefore, each treasure is a unique page in the country's history. Let's hope that if not our contemporaries, then at least the descendants will be able to find treasures hidden not only by the earth, but also by time.