"Kamasutra" on the walls of the Golden Gates: what the erotic graffiti of the 12th century truly reveals.

The erotic drawings discovered on the walls of the Golden Gates in Kyiv are not only intriguing artifacts but also evidence of the cultural and social aspects of life in ancient Kyiv. These graffiti, dated to the 11th-12th centuries, reflect not only the aesthetic preferences of that era but also the social norms that may have existed within society.

Historian Alexander Titotchka explained that among thousands of ancient graffiti, erotic drawings shed new light on the culture and social norms of Kievan Rus. In fact, they serve as a reminder of life in medieval Kyiv.

Discovery of the Graffiti

The study of graffiti on the Golden Gates began thanks to Sergey Alexandrovich Vysotsky, who spent over 30 years cataloging and analyzing them. Vysotsky discovered and documented 317 pieces of graffiti, including erotic ones, but many remained unpublished due to taboos surrounding such topics. Today, researchers have identified more than seven and a half thousand graffiti in the area, including those at St. Sophia Cathedral.

Characteristics of the Graffiti

One of the most famous pieces of graffiti, found by Vysotsky in 1981, depicts a sexual act. In the drawing, a man on his knees is shown in a moment of intimacy with a woman. This scene is rendered in a grotesque style, highlighting its comedic aspect. Such drawings have elicited mixed reactions from researchers and art historians: on one hand, they testify to the erotic nature of the culture at the time, while on the other, they reflect the self-censorship of the authors.

Cultural Context

The graffiti on the Golden Gates not only illustrate erotic themes but also reflect social norms and gender relations in medieval society. Researchers believe that these drawings may have served as a kind of "business card" for those entering the city through the Golden Gates. They created a specific context for understanding cultural values and attitudes towards sexuality in ancient Rus society.

Contemporary Research

Today, research on graffiti continues. New technologies allow for the extraction and analysis of ancient inscriptions. Researchers emphasize the importance of these artifacts as sources of information about the everyday lives of people in Kievan Rus. Graffiti have become a significant element in the study of the history and culture of Ukraine.

Ultimately, the erotic drawings on the Golden Gates are not merely testaments to the creativity of ancient people. They have become an important element in understanding the cultural context of Kievan Rus.

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