Mysterious Chronicle Animals of Kievan Rus’

Analysis of ancient handwritten sources and images of the times of Kievan Rus’ allowed us to conclude that the mysterious chronicle “fierce beast” is a lion. According to paleontological data, it existed in the Northern Black Sea region and further north in the period from six to two thousand years ago. A thousand years ago, a significant part of this territory was a part of Kievan Rus’ or was under its control. Revision of realistic images of animals on the 11th century frescoes of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev provided new interesting information about the fauna of Kievan Rus’. Images of lions, tarpan, deer, wild boar, fox, lynx, and cheetah used as game animals have been revealed. It was found that the mysterious night whistle, mentioned in the literary monument of the 12th century, “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign”, was tooted by small animals, steppe pikas, widespread during that historical period, but have now become extinct on these territories.