In Kirov, archaeologists found an axe in the remains of the foundation of the Trinity Cathedral.

      In 2019, specialists from the KOGAУ "Scientific and Production Center for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites of the Kirov Region" conducted rescue archaeological research on the territory of the identified site "Vyatsky (Khlunovsky) Kremlin, 12th century." The reason for the work was the reconstruction of the gas pipeline, for which several plots were allocated within the boundaries of the cultural layer of the ancient kremlin.

      A total of three plots with an area of 69 square meters were investigated. The press service of the NPC reported on the most interesting results of the first excavation.

      Excavation No. 1, with an area of 45 square meters, was opened 12 meters north of house No. 1B on Moskovskaya Street in Kirov. The site was chosen for three reasons: it was located away from existing communications (meaning the cultural layer could have been preserved without damage), it was precisely here that the gas pipeline shut-off device was planned to be placed (which provided a larger area for study), and this location adjoined the zone where the Trinity Cathedral stood in the 18th century.

      After digging 13 conditional layers, archaeologists obtained a collection of finds from the 17th to 19th centuries, which provides insight into the material culture of the population of Khlunov-Vyatka. But the main achievement was tracing the northeastern edge of the foundation of the Trinity Cathedral, which allowed for clarification of its localization and structural features. The foundation, as recorded by the researchers, consists of rubble on which red brick walls rested. At the same time, the preservation of the foundation varies in different parts.

      One of the remarkable finds was the discovery of a presumed rubble axe with fragments of the axe handle — it was found in the remains of the cathedral's foundation.

      An important organizational outcome: the cleared foundation of the Trinity Cathedral was not destroyed during the gas pipeline installation, but preserved. This will allow for its further study over a larger area.