Старажытнарускія свінцовыя пломбы XI-XIII стст. з тэрыторыі Друцкага княства

Druck arose among other settlements of the Kryviči tribe between the rivers Druta and Usveika, where the overland stream passes from Western Dvina to the Dnieper basin. Portage workers, who had draft animals, wheels and other devices for transporting goods, settled on this track.

More than 1,700 Ancient Rus monetary seal finds have already been recorded in Druck and its surroundings, which is more than half of all known findings on the territory of Belarus.

This article provides information on the last six discoveries of 799 items found at the site of the ancient city of Druck. Such a large number of finds in the vicinity of the Druck settlement is due to the absence of buildings on its territory and, accordingly, its accessibility for searchers. Researchers encountered a similar situation during the survey of an Ancient Rus settlement near the current Polish village of Czermno.

The majority of recorded seals are attributed to Połack princes of the second half of the 12th century: Rogvolod Borisovich – 362 pcs (21.1%), Vseslav Vasilkovich – 193 pcs (11.3%), Volodar Vasilkovich – 169 pcs (9.9%), and Rostislav Glebovich – 108 pcs (6.3%).

As a result of the political cataclysms of the 13th century, the water trade route through Druck lost its relevance. New land roads from Połack and Viciebsk to Smolensk and Kyiv bypassed Druck. The ancient fortress of Druck was destroyed as a result of military activity and later never restored. Only ancient lead seals testify to the former economic power and greatness of medieval Druck.