While looking for an Old Slavic settlement of the 10th century, Smolensk archeologists found a cellar of the epoch of Prince Vasily III.

      The cellar of the first third of the 16th century was found on a hill near the St. George Church. The scientists were surprised, since they thought cellars had not been constructed in Smolensk. It was considered to be an exclusively Moscow tradition. Therefore the historians have drawn a conclusion that an estate with the cellar was built in this place during the period when Smolensk was temporarily regained from the Lithuanian principality and was under the power of Moscow. A baptismal cross, a chesspiece and a medallion of the 17th century were found in the same pit.

      Traces of the Old Slavic settlement of the 10th century have not been found in this place yet. Maybe they were lost due to razing of the hill in post-war time. Thus, the expected finds could settle down in ditch dumps. The scientists assume that they should dig at the bottom of the hill next time. The research works will be continued in 2015.