Ancient Vishnu Idol Can Change View on Russian History There have been some speculations that the discovery of an ancient Vishnu idol in the Staraya Maina village on the banks of Samara, Ulyanovsk region may cause the history of Ancient Russia to be re written. I think such statements are shrill and exaggerated. The discovery of the idol may only suggest that there were links between the two old countries. Most likely the links were through trade than through political domination. Around the 6th century Russia still had an open religious enviornment.The social structure was also more open. Serfdom was yet to become a part of the feudal structure. The peasants were free to move about the country side in search of farm lands and work. The links with the other parts of the old world were still active and alive. It was only by 966 AD under Prince Vladimir that Russia accepted Christianity and all other religious practices were banned. In the periods thereafter Russia went into a virtual isolation and was cutoff from Asia/India for a very long time. The period -6th to 7th century-also marked flourishing trade ventures by Indian rulers... Palas in the North and Cholas in the South. The links between India and Russia are definitely far older than the 6th Century; deep into the unrecorded historic past .The discovery of the idol only suggests that even during 6-7th centuries there were trade links between the two ancient lands. The Indian traders/travelers could have had their own place of worship in the Staraya Maina (as they did have in old Iraq , Afghanistan , Central Asia , Baku etc.) because they had to be stationed there for fairly long spells .This is quite possible since Staraya Maina was a major centre for trade and culture in the old times. It is unlikely there were direct political connections between Mid Volga region and North / Central India. A call to rewrite pre Christine Russian history on the basis of this discovery alone, to say the least, is rather unrealistic; unless further more compelling evidences – say , in the form of edicts , records , excavations etc, - come up. But definitely there is a need for further serious study. A request to all other subscribers and members of the Ancient Worlds 1. Are there any details of coins, artifacts etc. found on the site? 2. Is there an update about the proposed”International Conference "? 3. Can anyone please enlighten whether such a conference was held. If so what was the out come of it? 4. Is there a link on the Web detailing further developments on the issue of links between India and ancient Russia?