An Ancient Deity and the Orthodox Cross on the “Besov Nos” Cape of Lake Onega

A petroglyph at the 'Besov Nos' Cape of Lake Onega reveals a complex interplay between ancient and Orthodox symbolism. Contrary to the hypothesis that monks carved an Orthodox cross over the left hand of a deity to combat paganism, the cross's oblique bar points toward the figure, suggesting it signifies the deity's place in the Kingdom of Heaven. The petroglyph depicts a seated figure with anatomical features indicating a male form and attire shaping its body. This interpretation challenges traditional narratives about the site's origins while providing new insights into the symbolic layering of religious imagery in ancient rock art.

Горячёв, С.В. (2024). AN ANCIENT DEITY AND THE ORTHODOX CROSS ON THE “BESOV NOS” CAPE OF LAKE ONEGA. Материалы 23–25-Го Заседаний Научно-Методического Семинара «Тверская Земля И Сопредельные Территории В Древности», 554–557. https://doi.org/10.70203/9167.2024.81.72.049