The Knots on the Ropes as One of the Sources in the Ethnographical and Archaeological Research

In 2010, during excavations of the fortress of Tara at the "Vaivode estate" researchers found two leather belts, tied in a knot whose equivalent is yet to be found. Studying the knot and reading the existing literature and the Internet resources on the knots have clarified some important issues. Firstly, the knots on the ropes, the cords and the belts of organic material represent the field of culture that has not been studied by scientists yet. Secondly, these objects may be a source for a better understanding of some subjects of traditional culture, and even serve as one of the markers of ethnic, social or professional community. Thirdly, other sources may lack information about the manufacture and use of some ropes with such knots.