As did people in other parts of Europe, the vast majority of the Rus' probably spent their lives growing food. By the 13th century, hoes had given way to multi-pronged scratch plows, so that horse power could be used in the rough-cleared forests of the north. The climate made farming difficult. Archaeological evidence shows the gradual adaptation of additional crops and eventual adoption of two-and-three field crop rotation systems. Agricultural tools of the time included sickles, scythes, metal sheathed wooden shovels, rakes, and gardening tools.(1) There is good evidence the Rus' raised vegetables, as well as grains. Flax and hemp were grown for linen, rope, oil, and perhaps recreation.(2) Animals, including cattle, sheep, oxen, pigs, goats, doves, chickens, ducks and swans, were raised for food.
Forest products were a mainstay of Russian economic life. All parts of a tree were used-timber, bark, and wood fibers. Mushrooms were gathered to supplement the diet. Hunting provided meat for the table, from elk and European bison to rabbits and hazel hens. Besides food, hunting provided furs and leather for clothing and commerce. Specialized weapons and tools, such as boar spears and skinning knives, were made for this work. Animals were taken by spears, bow and arrows, nets, and snares. Hunting nets were legally protected from damage.(3) Special hunting reserves for the nobility are recorded in period law.(4)
Fishing had an important place in the Rus' economy. Nets, net weights, barbed fishhooks, spoon baits, fish spears, specialized arrows, and tridents were all used by Rus' fishermen.(5)
Beekeeping was also extremely important. Many laws prescribe rules for the identification of hollow log hives and protection of preserves for apiculture. This is hardly surprising, given the importance of honey and wax for export.(6) In the Ordinance of Yaroslav, an early Russian legal code, there are 121 articles, of which 6 protect beekeeping.(7) From Russian Law:
"If anyone damages or burns a prince's hive, three grivna"(8)
"If anyone obliterates the sign on a beehive, twelve grivna"(9)
(1)Thompson, p. 74, 89.
(2)Edwards, Mike. "Searching for Scythians," p. 74 (for notes on the
recreational use of cannabis).
(3)Vernadsky, Russian Medieval Laws, p. 50.
(4)Vernadsky, Kievan Russia, p. 105.
(5)Thompson, p. 74 and Kolchin, B.A. p. 31.
(6)Vernadsky, Kievan Russia, p. 106.
(7)Vernadsky, Russian Medieval Laws, p. 48-49.
(8)Dmytryshyn, Medieval Russia, p. 49.
(9)Riha, p. 24.
