Editing Arkhangelsk (section)

===Novgorodian arrival===
In the 12th century, the [[Novgorod Republic|Novgorodians]] established a [[monastery]] dedicated to [[Michael (archangel)|Archangel Michael]] in the estuary of the [[Northern Dvina]]. The main trade center of the area at that time was [[Kholmogory, Arkhangelsk Oblast|Kholmogory]], located {{convert|75|km|sp=us}} southeast of Arkhangelsk, up the Dvina River, about {{convert|10|km|sp=us}} downstream from where the Pinega River flows into the Dvina. Written sources indicate that Kholmogory existed early in the 12th century, but there is no archeological material of this period. It is not known whether the origin of this settlement was Russian, or if it goes back to pre-Russian times. In the center of the small town (or Gorodok) that is there today is a large mound of building remains and river sand, but it has not been archeologically excavated.