Life in Ancient Russia was closely connected with the nature. Any kind of activity of that period, whether it be cattle breeding, agriculture or workmanship, was dependent on natural gifts and on an environment which provided existence of people.
Dwelling of people of Ancient Russia
Houses of rich people of that period were called a mansion. As a rule, it were wooden high constructions to several floors. On roofs of such houses poppy-heads in the form of a tent, barrels, a bell or a wedge were always located. Decorated roofs, generally with wooden figurines and sculptures of animals, such as horse, dog or rooster. The average floor of horom always crowned the balcony called a promenade. From a promenade it was possible to get to any room or a cage of this floor. In the yard of horom there were always additional constructions: storerooms, barns, baths, stables or cellars. The ladder which conducted on a porch of the main building was always covered.
Device of houses of Ancient Russia
From a building porch the people came into an outer entrance hall (in a corridor). In an outer entrance hall the set of doors was located, all of them conducted deep into horom. On the average floor of the building there was always a room, a front door and the most spacious room of all house. As a rule, on first floors the kitchen and other economic rooms was located. The separate door conducted with kitchen directly to the yard. On the highest floors, svetelka - individual rooms of each of inhabitants of the house or guests were placed. Ceilings in svetelka were low, windows of the small size, are glazed by mica as glass at that time was too expensive.
Interior and decoration of houses
In a room there were always many benches, and opposite to a door there was a big dining table. Over a table the bozhnitsa – a shelf with icons hung on a wall. In a corner, to the left of a door, the furnace was installed. It was always decorated with multi-colored patterns with convex drawings. Walls also decorated with various drawings and patterns which were called tiles in those days.
Houses of the poor population of Ancient Russia
Log huts of the simple people were small, they had only several small, tightened a fish bubble, windows. To the left of an entrance there was a big furnace. In it cooked food, on it dried clothes and footwear and also slept. From other furniture in a log hut there were benches over which regiments and a bozhnitsa were placed. Opposite to a door there was a small lunch table. In a closet there was a small trunk in which owners stored family values.
Classes of people of Ancient Russia
Most of the population primary activity and a source of income had a craft. Masters made beautiful things of a stone, metal, clay, fabric, bones or a tree, and then sold them on a market. Some handicraftsmen were engaged in decorating of objects of the labor, toys, houses and furniture. They vytesyvat patterns and drawings on objects. The rest of the population was engaged in cultivation of a livestock and also agriculture. Some of inhabitants existed due to fishing, hunting or collecting mushrooms and berries.