Wooden Pectoral Cross from a Burial at the Spassky Necropolis of the 18th Century in Irkutsk

This article introduces a unique discovery for Siberia – a wooden pectoral cross from a burial at the Spassky necropolis in Irkutsk dated to 1710–1768. The object is described in detail and analyzed. The question of using wooden pectoral crosses in the burial practices of the Russian population of the 18th century is discussed. The cross is made of unique material (rosewood). The article presents some evidence of burials with wooden pectoral crosses in Siberia in the 18th century, but the question of the quantity of such wooden crosses still remains open.