Belarusian scientists find country’s first melting furnace of 18th century

An archaeological expedition in the agro-town Ilya of Vileyka district turned into a sensation. The remnants of a glass-making manufactory of the 18th century were found in Belarus for the first time. The researchers discovered a melting furnace and obtained unique data on the technology of production used 300 years ago. The manufactory belonged to the Counts Sologub.

Among the artifacts there are fragments of finished products by masters of the time, tools and personal belongings of glass blowers including a cross, a table knife, a button.

Archaeologists continue excavations. All findings will be sent after the research to the funds of the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.