Seals of the Russian Empire in the second half of the XVIII century: the results of archaeological research in Moscow

This article is devoted to a brief overview of the sphragistic material of the Russian Empire of the second half of the XVIII century, discovered during archaeological excavations in the historical center of Moscow at the following addresses: Paveletsky railway station Square; Varvarka str., 3 («Old» Gostiny Dvor); Sadovnicheskaya str., 3/7; Ilyinka Str.; 3/8 («Warm» Shopping malls); str. Sytinsky, 3A; lane. Molochny, vl. 3 in 1996–2009. Seals of the Russian Empire represent significant artifacts and are a valuable source of information indicating the development of national industry, economy, as well as foreign and domestic trade. The sphragistic material is represented by two types of seals: «bulls» and «rivets with a jumper». «Bulls» are round or oval seals, often with the image of coats of arms or symbols of power, which emphasizes their official character. They could be used both for packaging goods, which made them an important element in the trading system, and for official documentation. Rivets with a jumper, in turn, served to secure the packaging and protect the contents from unauthorized access. Such seals often had unique signs or symbols, which made it possible to identify the manufacturers or owners of the goods. The study of these artifacts not only helps to understand the economic and trade practices and procedural procedures of that time, but also highlights the cultural and social aspects of life in the Russian Empire. Sphragistic material is an important element in the reconstruction of the historical context, and its analysis can provide new knowledge about the interaction of external and internal economies and the development of state power.