bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FORTIFICATION OF THE LATE SCYTHIANS OF LOWER DNIEPER REGION
Authors: Dzneladze E. S. , Sikoza D. N.
Published: November 2021

The Late Scythian hill-forts are placed on the floodplain terraces and high banks of the Dnieper and its creeks. Usually the Late Scythians chose the part of steep bank above the river surrounded by gullies for the erecting of fortress.
According the topography and layout of fortification two types of them can be classified: the cape hill-forts and riverside ones. The same types are correct for the Late Scythians of Crimea.
The cape type hill-forts are Chervony Mayak, Mykolayivka-Kozatske, Lvove, Poniativka, Velyka Lepetykha and Kairy.
The riverside type hill-forts are Havrylivka, Hannivka, Sablukivka, Konsulivka, Staroshvedske (Zmiivka), Znamyanka, Zolota Balka, Tiahynka and Liubymivka.
The first descriptions and topographic plans were made in the late 18th—19th centuries. The some parts of ramparts and moats were excavated during the first half of the 20th century. The period of massive archaeological excavations during fifties — sixties of the 20th century were associated with Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant building.
The defensive structures of the Late Scythians consisted of the system of ramparts and moats. The fortified walls sometimes with towers erected on the ridge of rampart. Behind them the settlements were located. On the several Late Scythian hill-forts these parts have got additional line of fortifications. The most complex fortification system had three lines of defense.
The defensive structures on the twelve Late Scythian hill-forts such as Zolota Balka, Havrylivka, Hannivka, Konsulivka, Chervony Mayak, Mykolayivka-Kozatske, Lvove, Tiahynka, Poniativka, Znamyanka, Kairy and Liubymivka were studied.
Velyka Lepetykha, Hornostayivka and Berislav hill-forts were destroyed or covered by modern buildings.
The defensive structures of Late Scythians, according to the artifacts, have appeared not early than second half of the 1st century BC, or at the turn of era.
The analysis of excavations of the Olbio chora shows same elements of fortification at the first centuries AD: moats, ramparts, walls and towers. But the architecture and building features of the Late Scythian fortification are peculiar, and specific only for this culture. The creation of two parallel defensive lines, stone filling in the internal space of towers, multiple thickening of walls indicate not a Hellenistic origin of builders.
Only general ideas and typical elements of fortification are the same in Olbio and in the Late Scythians hill-forts. The technical realization of these ideals shows the local origin of the Late Scythian fortification.
PHALERAE THE DECORATION OF HORSE HEADGEAR FROM BARROW 1 ON ZUBOVSKI KHUTOR
Authors: Voroniatov S. V.
Published: November 2021

The reasons for the alternative attribution of seven gold belt plates from the Sarmatian burial of the barrow 1 near Zubovski Khutor at the Kuban river region (1st century BC — 1st century AD) are proposed in the paper. During the period from the moment of excavations of this barrow (1899) three variants of the interpretation for these findings have been offered: as the belt decorations (К. Е. Dumberg, I. I. Gushchina, I. P. Zaseczkaya, M. B. Shchukin, V. I. Mordvintseva, etc), and as the fibula-brooch (М. I. Rostovczev, N. V. Anfimov, М. P. Аbramova) or phalerae for ceremonial horse harness (А. P. Маnczevich, М. Yu. Treister, А. V. Simonenko).
The barrow was excavated by amateur and the methodic level of this work was poor. Due to the circumstances it seems inappropriate trust the data from the first publication of the findings. The belt plates version has no parallels among findings and materials from various Sarmatian burial assemblages since 1899. We There were no findings of plates decorating the belt. The interpretation of these items as fibula-brooch proves to be false as the plates did not equipped with pins and spring devices at their backsides.
The correct interpretation for the plates seems to be phalerae of the horse headgear. This version is proved with well documented findings of horse equipment of the 1st—2nd centuries AD which contains from 6 to 12 phalerae of the similar size. It is also known the horse equipment containing just seven phalerae which decorate the headgear — from the burials in Kosika (Lower Volga region) and in Yashkul (Kalmykia). The important factor seems to be the way of fixing of these items to the straps of horse equipment. One can see the laminar wirers on the back of one phalera founded in the barrow 1 near Zubovski Khutor.
NEW SARMATIAN BARROWS IN THE MIDDLE KHOPER BASIN
Authors: Medvedev A. P.
Published: November 2021

In 2018—2019, the Yelan archaeological expedition of the Voronezh State University excavated the barrows near Ivanovka village on the Yelan River in the Novokhopyorsky District, Voronezh Region. Sarmatian barrows had not been excavated in this area before. The barrows with the height of 0.5—5 m are situated on the slope of the headland on the right bank of the Yelan and the left bank of its tributary, the Tatarka River. Most of the barrow group had never been plowed and remained in the natural steppe landscape representing a fragment of fescue-feather grass steppe. The expedition excavated two Sarmatian barrows up to 0.5 m high and up to 20 m in diameter, being a part of the «long-running» barrow group Ivanovka 7 (about 40 mounds). The north-western sector of the Barrow 25 contained the only burial found under the mound top with the size of 2 Ч 2.1 m and the depth of 0.9—1 m from the native soil level. The buried lied diagonally with the head directed to the north-west. The skull had features of artificial deformation. In the southern corner there were some broken vessels — a large gray-clay dish with small ruminant bones, a large one-handle jar with the brown surface and a small gray-clay jar with a hollow handle. On the bottom there was an iron adze with wooden remains inside the plug. Between the shin-bone and wall there was an iron knife and 16 small iron three-bladed arrow heads. At the end of the right hand there was a piece of bone piercer. The barrow is dated to the Late Sarmatian period (middle of the 2nd century AD). Though this barrow group is now situated in the forest steppe the study of buried soil showed its clearly steppe nature. Therefore the studied burials do not differ from the bulk of late Sarmatian burials found in steppes of the Volga and Don interfluve area.
«AND GIRLS AMAZONS ACCUSTOMED TO ARMS, HORSES AND HUNTING…»
Authors: Fialko O. Ye.
Published: November 2021

According to ancient authors Amazons treated their new-borns differently. They usually gave the boys to their fathers. At the same time, they raised the girls themselves. Moreover, the girls since childhood were taught martial art and hunting. That is, first of all they were taught archery and horseback riding. Based on these data, we drew attention to the Scythian girls’ graves with weapons.
17 such burials of girls are known today in the area of European Scythia. They are fixed on the territory of the Steppe Dnieper Region, Crimea, Transnistria and Don Region.
All children’s graves are individual except for one (with a teenager-servant). Only two of them were robbed in antiquity.
All graves (with one exception) were excavated in the kurhans. An analysis of the types of burial structures showed that undercut graves and catacombs predominate. Simple pits are represented by only two cases. The spread of these types of graves on different regions coincides with the same graves of adult Amazons.
All burials were made according to the rite of inhumation. The western orientation of the dead is predominant. In general, burial sites, rites and anthropological types of Amazons are identical to those recorded for the population of European Scythia.
Material support is divided in three main groups: 1) universal (meat meals with a knife and utensils); 2) Female (spindles with spinners, earrings, necklace, bracelets, rings, stone dishes); 3) Male (weapons, horse bridles, hryvnias). The combination of the components of these kits has usually marked the burial of the Amazons. The nature of the weapon shows that it was intended primarily for the remote combat.
The evidence of social stratification is, first of all, the size of burial structures and the composition of material support. According to these indicators, three social groups are distinguished in the Amazon girls’ environment.
The chronological range of the burial complexes of girls with weapons is determined from the end of the 5th to 3—2 centuries BC. However, the main group of these tombs is dated 4th century B.C.
RESEARCH OF THE CHRONICLE SETTLEMENT OF CHERNOBYL IN 2004—2020. RESUME, RESULTS AND PROSPECTS
Authors: Pereverzev S. V.
Published: November 2021

Chernobyl was mentioned in Ipatievsky Chronicle in the 1193 for the first time. In 2003 the location of the chronicles Chernobyl was identified by archaeological research. During 2004—2020 the area of 360 m2 was excavated, another 30 m2 was partly explored and inhibited. As a result of the works the cultural layer since the late Stone Age till the modern times has been found. The cultural layer of the pre-chronicle period of Old Rus Chernobyl from the end of the tenth century is fixed. More than 300 archaeological objects, many artifacts and fauna remains were found. There the considerable number of artifacts of the «city» type is represented: martial arrowheads, locks and keys, the elements of horse harness, pieces of window-sill, stylus, a huge number of decorations of glass and metal. About 50 % of osteological remains belong to the wild animals such as taurus, bear, deer. Such findings make it possible to consider Chernobyl confidently the border fortress with an urban lifestyle, founded not later the late tenth century by the end of the eleventh century. It became the important and probably the main fortified outpost of the Northern Kyiv region which controlled the river route to Kyiv from the North.
In the last years of the excavations of settlement the task was to find fortifications and study them. As a result, in 2017 at the most likely location of Old Rus defensive structures, the double moat of the XI—XII centuries was recorded.
As a result of exploration on the territory of modern Chernobyl and in its outskirts in 2016—2020 two settlements of the XI—XII centuries and four localities of Old Rus ceramics were found. In 2020 during the study of the Lelev settlement the cultural layer of the twelveth century was recorded.
In the close future it is necessary to recognize the structure of fortifications and take the necessary activities to protect the chronicle archaeological point.
DOMANTOVO HILLFORT IN THE SUPII RIVER MOUTH
Authors: Pryadko O. O.
Published: November 2021

The paper is devoted to the results of exploratory archaeological research in 2015—2017 in the Domantovo village of Zolotonosha district of Cherkasy region (the village was resettled in the late 50s of the XX century due to the construction of the Kremenchuh reservoir). The author considered the thesis about the possible variant of localization of the chronicle Dubnytsia at the mouth of the Supii River. The chronicle city is mentioned in the chronicle in 1155 in the events connected with the Cumans arrival in the Pereiaslav region. N. P. Barsov, M. O. Maksymovych, V. H. Liaskoronskyi, O. M. Andriyashev, L. E. Makhnovets versions of localization of the chronicle Dubnytsia are analyzed. Detailed description of the hillfort and the fortified suburb (posad) is provided. Archaeological materials discovered on the territory of the site were analyzed not only by the author, but also by other researchers (M. F. Ponomarenko and V. F. Pocheptsov). Finds of Old Rus time from the site are presented in the exhibitions of Zolotonosha and Domantovo museums. The localization, discovery and introduction into scientific circulation of the previously unknown site would hardly possible without a detailed manuscript plan of Danylo de Bosket made in 1746. The ancient hillfort is marked in the center of the castle near the Supii River in the form of dominant round hill. Today, the moats from the castle and the suburb (posad) are almost invisible visually but they are clearly visible on satellite images.
The detailed description of the topographic situation is provided, according to which the advantage of the waterway over overland in the Domantovo microregion becomes clear.
The analogies with the nearest fortresses of the Pereiaslav region in the mouths of the Trubizh and the Sula rivers are provided — respectively the chronicle towns of Ustia and Voin. In addition Domantovo hillfort was the part of the Dnipro defensive line, which included the «Serpent’s Wall» the moat of which faces the Dnipro River. Research results indicate that the Domantovo hillfort arose at the beginning of the XI century, and in the middle of the XII century already represented a significant fortified settlement at the Supii mouth which also served as a pier on the Dnipro-Supii waterways of Pereiaslav region.
NEW DATA ON THE TOPOGRAPHY OF SETTLEMENT 1 IN KOROSTEN
Authors: Petrauskas A. V. , Khadadova M. V.
Published: November 2021

Archaeological sites of the chronicle Iskorosten located in the modern city of Korosten, Zhytomyr region, have been attracting the attention of historians and archaeologists for almost 200 years. F. A. Kozubovsky, I. P. Rusanova, M. P. Kuchera, B. A. Zvizdetsky examined the site.
The paper contains the results of surveys of the site in 2013 which made significant additions to understanding of the nature of settlement 1 and the ancient chronicle city.
Findings of scientific value were discovered, and the topography of the settlement was clarified. During the excavations of a part of the defensive moat of the settlement 1 the numerous fragments of wheel-made pottery were discovered. According to its morphological features it could be dated to the to the first half  the tenth century.
Finds of household items, parts of clothing and jewelry were also recorded. The details of the decoration of military equipment — belt plates are the finds of great interest. These heart-shaped plates made of gilded silver and decorated with floral ornaments made by stamping on the matrix. The surface is additionaly decorated with embossed small elements of or-nament.
The large thick plates with slotted holes and smaller ones without slots can be distinguished. The similarity of the size, details of the shape and ornament indicate that they probably come from one belt set and were made on two matrices by one craftsman.
The real discovery in the study of the capital of Drevlians land can be named the finding of the location of citadel (Detynets) cultural layers. Most scholars considered them irretrievably lost for science. The small elevation at the beginning of the entrance onto the hill on the swampy floodplain of the tributary of Uzh river turned out to the place where in the 30s of the twentieth century the cultural layers of the citadel were moved.
FARMSTEADS-MANSIONS OF ORDINARY RESIDENTS OF KOPYREV KINEC’
Authors: Kozlovskyi A. A. , Kryzhanovskyi V. O.
Published: November 2021

On the territory of ancient Kyiv from the end of the X century are fixed numerous farmsteads and separate mansions, which belonged to princes, boyars, merchants, artisans and ordinary inhabitants, formed separate residential and economic complexes, which included both residential and various outbuildings, usually surrounded by fence. Some of the farmsteads located outside the city fortifications had their own fortifications. After analyzing the features of the ancient Rus’ buildings of the Kopyrev kinec’, the following became clear.
Construction of this area begins with the construction of a fortified farmsteads at its highest point — on the street Sichovyh Striltsiv, 12 (beginning of the XI century). After that, down the slope — on the land on the street Kudriavska, 24A there is a significant number of production facilities that served the needs of the inhabitants of the boyar farmstead. Ferrous iron smelting and processing were carried out here, there were facilities for drying sheaves, a smokehouse, as well as a tar pit. At the next stage, most flammable industries disappear in the middle of the XI — first half of the XII century and in this area there are separate farmsteads of ordinary inhabitants, whose main occupation was a variety of crafts: iron processing, bronze casting, making various things from bronze, possibly making jewelry.
The richest was the farmstead «Б», which had an area of up to 1200 m2 and was protected on all sides by a fence in the form of a strong fence. There were up to 20 residential, industrial and outbuildings in its area. In the central dwelling of this farmstead they were not engaged in handicrafts, but around it there was a considerable quantity of industrial premises. Most likely, this farmstead was owned by either a merchant or a fairly wealthy artisan.
Farmstead «B» was smaller in size: ≈1000 m2. About 20 objects were recorded on it. Here they were engaged in smelting and processing of bronze, as well as the manufacture of various iron products. The manufacture of bronze and iron products was carried out in the central living space, and the smelting of bronze — at some distance from the living area. This farmstead could belong to a middle-class artisan who probably participated in the production processes.
The smallest and poorest was the farmstead «A». Its area was about 800 m2. Here lived an artisan, who most likely engaged in smelting and processing of bronze products, most likely — in a special workshop, which was located next to the house.
In addition, on the territory of modern Lvivs’ka Square there was a farmstead with a central building of log construction, around which there were outbuildings. Pottery and metalworking workshops could function here.
Thus, the probable sequence of settlement of the territory of the Kopyrev kinec’ from chaotically located flammable productions to house-building was traced. The inhabitants of the farmsteads were quite clearly divided by property status, but in all estates the main occupation was handicraft.
LATE-MEDIEVAL DWELLING FROM THE HLYNSKY ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPLEX
Authors: Puholovok Yu. O.
Published: November 2021

The article is devoted to the publication of a dwelling from the territory of Hlynsky archaeological complex. The site occupies the cape-like remains of the right root bank of the Vorskla River. Covering an area of over 14 hectares, of Horodyshche, Kripost, Pansky Yarok, Tarasivka, Levadnyukova Hora tracts. The complex includes the Big and Small hillforts, fortified and unfortified settlements, and burial mounds.
One of the interesting objects discovered in 2009 is the recessed part of the dwelling of the late Middle Ages. Despite its partial preservation, this object is still quite an informative. Housing probably belongs to the buildings with a cold basement and has signs of log construction of the walls. The absence of pillar pits and the presence of a vestibule-entrance lead to this opinion. The furnace was most likely located on the upper tier. This is evidenced by the concentration of baked clay and coal at the boundary of the upper and lower layers of dwelling filling. Similar dwellings are known from the excavation of Dmytro Berezovets in the settlement Stan 2, near Putivl. Also, such buildings are discovered in the settlements of Komarivka and Ozarichi.
The ceramic complex from the dwelling is represented mainly by fragments of coockingware and a small amount of tableware. The forms of coockingware have certain analogies with vessels from the Ozarichi settlement and Putivl (Gorodok). However, some pots, such as those with rectangular rim, were discovered for the first time. Individual finds quite clearly characterize the material culture after the Mongol invasion. The coexistence of things of the Kievan Rus and later period is traced.
The saturation of the house with ashes and coals indicates that the house burned down. Dating of the object is enclosed within the limits of XIV century.
MICROTOPOGRAPHY OF THE 10th CENTURY PAGAN BURIAL GROUND UNDER THE DESYATYNNA CHURCH COURTYARD IN KYIV
Authors: Koziuba V. K.
Published: November 2021

The paper considers the issue of microtopography of the 10th century pagan burial ground under the later Desyatynna Church courtyard. At least 75 inhumation burials of the pagan period have been discovered here to the present. Also, several sections of barrow ditches belonging to 7 barrows were discovered during excavations in 2005—2011. These ditches made it possible to determine the approximate diameter of the ancient mounds, which ranged from 3.5 to 12 m.
Analysis of the results of the burial ground evcavations of the 20th — early 21st century provided examples of a combination of inhumation pit graves with charcoal spots and soil layers of mounds above them in single burial complex.
Sections of cultural layer belonging the object of the size of 14 Ч 6 m over, studied in the central dome square of the church of the late 10th century on an area of 9 m2. Four cultural horizons containing embers, ashes, animal bones (with traces of fire and without it), fragments of pots of the 10th century, and individual objects, were discovered here. These layers alternated with soil additions 0.2—0.4 m thick. According to the location, construction, features of filling, this object can be considered as a ritual site that served the cemetery during funeral and post funeral rites.
Microtopographic and stratigraphic observations allow us to assume the event of re-planning of part of the pagan burial ground in front of the Starokyivske hillfort fortification ditch.
The ditch was deepened and widened up to 6 m during the modernization of the fortifications of the hillfort, which happened probably after the Pechenegs’ attack on Kyiv in 968. As a result, the mounds of barrows which were the closest to the ditch were desroyed, and the entire site was leveled and turned into an wide esplanade.
New ordinary graves without mounds appeared here again at the final stage of the burial ground’s existence, in the 970—990 AD. The construction of the Desyatynna Church in 989 (991) put an end to the functioning of the pagan cemetery in this area and totally destroyed its outward signs.
SEDENTARY BURIALS ON THE SOUTHERN RUS’ TERRITORY
Authors: Bibikov D. V.
Published: November 2021

The article is devoted to the burials of the X—XI centuries, where the deceased were found in a sitting position. Despite the fact that this custom itself is undoubtedly of Norman origin, the issue of ethnic and social attribution of most complexes from the territory of Southern Rus’ has not received appropriate attention among the researchers. Information was collected on 17 Southern Rus’ burials, which, according to some researchers, were carried out in a sitting position. However, it is not always possible to establish the posture of the deceased with complete confidence. The basic variants of mutual arrangement of bone remains are allocated and on their basis the most widespread ways of giving to a body a sitting position are reconstructed.
Both by the social composition of the buried and chronologically, the burial complexes can be divided into two separate groups. The first group includes rich burials in chamber tombs. All of them are dated by the X century and are located in the necropolises of Kyiv and Shestovytsia, two points of the highest concentration of the Scandinavian ethnic component in Southern Rus’. A wide range of objects of Scandinavian origin was found in the toms, there are burials with weapons, slaves and horses killed. Undoubtedly, the dead belonged to the military-trade elite. In combination with chamber tombs, a sitting posture can be an indicator of the Scandinavian origin of the dead.
Sedentary burials of the second group are located in the peripheral areas of the Southern Rus’ and belong to the Christian era (approximately — the end of the X—XI centuries). Burials are carried out at the level of the day surface, are marked by rather «poor» inventory and, as a rule, do not have burial structures. They can be associated with the ordinary Slavic population and its efforts to recreate certain prestigious features of the funeral rites of the previous period. Probably, the sedentary position symbolized a dominant status in society, and in the funeral rite carried only a social, not a religious stress.
BURIAL RITE OF THE OSTRIV GRAVEYARD (BY THE RESULTS OF RESCUE EXCAVATION 2017—2018)
Authors: Baranov V. I. , Ivakin V. G. , Shyroukhov R. A.
Published: November 2021

In 2017—2018 researchers of Architectural and Archaeological Expedition (Institute of Archaeology of Ukraine) conducted investigations in the Ostriv village Rokytne district Kyiv region. As a result, 53 inhumation burials of the graveyard unique for Southern Rus were investigated. Analysis of the burial equipment allowed us to date the graveyard to the end 10th — 11th c.
Funeral rite detected in the graveyard differs considerably from usual Kyivan Rus burials of this period. Vast majority of burials were oriented to the north with small season deviations. There were individual burials oriented to the south and to the west. Most were buried lying on their back with outstretched limbs in variety of wooden structures (coffins). Remains of a stone structure have been discovered. It can be reconstructed as the remains of an altar. Remains of funeral food were found in burials, among them chicken bones, eggshells, buckets for liquids and powders.
The graveyard is characterized by wide range distinctive accompanying equipment, not typical to synchronous Kyivan Rus graveyards, but close to funeral rite of people living in the southern-east coast of Baltic sea, basically the Western Baltic tribes of Curonians, Prussians, Scalvians.
It should be noted that the funeral tradition recorded on the Ostriv graveyard does not fit directly into the synchronous antiquities of Eastern Europe. It has no direct analogies among the Baltic sites known today either. This looks a bit odd, as the grave goods discovered at Ostriv cemetery have direct analogies in the Western Balts monuments. The absence of cremation burials typical to the Western Balts is still under the question here. This situation can reflect the restrictions of Kyiv princely Christian administra-tion.
Possibly Ostriv cemetery illustrates Primary chronicle reports on state activity of first Kyiv dukes, particularly Volodymyr the Great and Yaroslav the Wise, who straightened and pushed further the southern borders of Kyiv Rus.
PROBLEMATIC ISSUES AND PROSPECTS FOR STUDYING CHILDREN’S GRAVE GOODS OF ANCIENT RUS (IN THE CONTEXT OF SYNCHRONOUS EUROPEAN BURIAL GROUNDS)
Authors: Makouskaya V. A.
Published: November 2021

This paper discusses topical issues and identifies areas of potential future research in the study of children’s grave goods in the Rus period. Contentious topics include the presence, or absence of grave goods in children’s burials, and their significance in the identification social status, gender, and age of the buried individual. Children’s burials from Eastern, Central, and a Western Europe are cited as examples and analogies. The paper establishes that the presence of burial goods depended on the aspects of the culture’s funeral rite, the age of the buried child and the social status of his/her family. Correlation with parental social status is viewed through the inclusion of weaponry in the grave goods assemblage, particularly for young children. The types of weaponry considered in the study includes axes, arrows, spears, javelins and battle knifes from children’s burials in Central and Eastern Europe. Axes are most the common finds in Rus children’s graves with weapons, whereas swords and protective armaments are unknown in Rus children’s burials. Comparison with neighboring Slavic territories showed that the minimum age threshold for Rus children’s burials with weapons is higher — 6 years.
Potential area of further research into the Rus children’s burials with weapons is the correlation between the age of the buried child, the type of weapons included in the burial and the geographical location of the burial. Female jewelry and household items, including temple rings and beads, are occasionally found in children’s burials with grave goods typical of male graves. Such items may be indicative of the buried person dying before reaching social adulthood. Items that may be identified as age markers among the assemblages of children’s grave goods include amulets in the shape of miniature axes, gaming dice from astragali and painted ceramic eggs with ceramic ball inside («pisanki»). These objects are predominantly found in cemeteries with high status Rus burials. The research efforts needs to be directed to the identification of marker artifacts for child burials in rural cemeteries, as well as the identification of female child burials.
CHERNYAKHIV «BULLAS» (METAL AND LEATHER PENDANTS-FOLDING IN THE CHERNYAKHIV—SINTANA-DE-MURES CULTURE’S AREA)
Authors: Gopkalo O. V.
Published: November 2021

Decorations of the Chernyakhiv—Sintana-de-Mures Culture (ChSM) includes metal and leather pendants which by some morphological features can be considered as derivatives of the roman bulla. Bulla is a small capsule pendant folded from two identical halves. It’s assumed that bulla originated with the Etruscans in the VIIth century BC. The bulla was later borrowed by romans, who originally intended it for boys — the children of aristocrats from the ninth day of birth to 14—16 years, until receiving the status of a Roman citizen. Later the golden bulla lost the meaning of a social marker and became mainly a property feature. Content of bulla were parts of plants, animal bones, pieces of textile, sand etc.
Derivatives of the Roman bulla in the ChSM Culture have been found in next burial complexes (Barcea 139, Bila 3, Cherneliv-Rus’kyi 96, Dumaniv 8, Sosnova 245), leather bullas were found once (Legedzine 16). Besides, two pendants-capsules were found on late Scythians Lower Dnieper cemetery Mykolaivka (burial 64, grave 1), which contained ChSM Culture’s graves too.
Following observation deserves the attention. The capacity of one pendant from Pannonia is similar by decor to clay knots, which were spread in many cultures, including ChSM Culture. They are interpreted as magic, used for fortune-telling and similar to nasturtium seeds.
Contents of Chernyakhiv Culture’s «bullas» are unknown, but combination with another pendants-amulets certainly confirms the magical character of such pendants.
Finally, metal bullae, cylindrical and flat cylindrical pendants-capsules continued their existence in the early Middle Ages and as metal folding icons and leather incenses survived in orthodox church to this day.
BRACELETS WITH ZOOMORPHIC TERMINALS (ACCORDING TO THE EXCAVATIONS OF THE OSTRIV BURIAL GROUND IN 2017—2020)
Authors: Diachenko D. G.
Published: November 2021

The bracelets with zoomorphic terminals are analyzed in the paper. They were found in the West Baltic Ostriv burial ground in 2017—2020. The work shows types of jewelry, their style, and history of research.
The assemblage of 15 samples has dissimilar configuration. Furthermore, 10 of them were found in female burials, 2 — male burials, 1 — archaeological level and 2 are accidental finds. These bracelets have arcuate shape, terminals with stylized reptile heads. Their surface is decorated with a geometric ornament that emphasizes the overall zoomorphic motif and mimics the reptile in motion.
According to L. Vaitkunskene’s typology, the collection of Baltic zoomorphic bracelets from the Ostriv burial ground can have four types.
Because of this features, such as overall tendency developing shapes of products, specifics of application of geometric ornament (advantage of combination of lines and circles on the surface of bracelets from Curonian area; dominance of geometric figures in ornamentation of Daugava Livonians, Selonians and Latgalians), and their chronology, the collection of Baltic zoomorphic bracelets from the Ostriv burial ground are similar to the West Baltic tribe of Curonians, the antiquities of the end of X — first half of XI century.
The author assumes that some of bracelets from the Ostriv burial ground were made directly in Porossya. He examined the samples of ones in full detail and found out that different pieces of bracelets have similar features. Foremost, they are the design of the stylized eyes of animal-headed terminals and the similarity of geometric plots, which, in general, do not have a bright variety and could be made by a certain master.
Summing up, further systematic research of burial ground Ostriv and the open-air settlement in the tract of Stari Sukholisy allows to growth available sources. It will promote a deeper understanding of various facets of the material culture of the Baltic immigrant community.
REMARKS ABOUT OUTFITS MIDIEVAL PEASANTRY (FROM RESEARCHES IN 2007—2011 OF KHODOSIIVKA-ROSLAVSKE SETTLEMENT)
Authors: Hotun I. A. , Hun’ M. O. , Sukhonos A. M.
Published: November 2021

In spite of the parity relations between the medieval towns and their country surroundings and the high level of development of the settlement structures tracked during the wide-scale research of the settlements of the Southern Russ, the new excavations in the non-fortified settlements keep brining certain discoveries. This is remarkable at Khodosivka-Roslavske settlement found by the Northern Expedition in 2007. The working over of the results of the excavations in 2007—2011 allowed testify highly-developed household and significant level of the inhabitants’ wellbeing. Some peculiarities of the inhabitants’ material culture were characterized, a regular publication was devoted to the specifics of their outfit.
The collected spindles and weights for weaving allow imagine the production of threads and cloth, prints on ceramics — specifics of the latter, needles — for clothes making. The osteological collection and leather making tools indicate leather and fur making; awls, sewings, and, rarely, piercers — further processing of the raw material. Leather / fur or thick cloth outfit is marked with a button made of the half of a spindle.
The elements of the belt set (buckles, endings, rings-distributors), although a part of them could belong to the horse harness, bags etc., remained better and allow analyze this very specifics of the outfit, especially in view of the whetstones, steel fire strikers and the rest, which had been worn on belts before appearance of pockets in XVII—XVIII cent. Not fully indentified remains the fragment of bronze item which can be attributed to either front plate of bronze bag buckle or one of the variety of Christian incense burner.
Substantial supplement of an outfit are the adornments. Aside from the items made of glass, among which, unexpectedly, there are a plenty of bracelets’ fragments, and of amber produced at the settlement, it is necessary to mention a range of metal items. They are temple rings, earrings, necklaces. Among the latter prevailing are the ones produced within the settlement. Together with the glass and amber, the necklaces included mineral components. Fibulas collected on the site have the analogies from the Baltic lands, the same relates to the other items. Arms and hands jewels are represented with bracelets and signet rings.
In spite of the rather small researched area of 1041 m2 and so, not too extensive collection of the mentioned findings, its analysis tracks the original peculiarities of the researched settlement.
SLAVIC JEWELRY OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES FOUND FROM SULA BASIN IN POLTAVA REGION: NEW FINDS
Authors: Volodarets-Urbanovych Ya. V. , Sydorenko O. V.
Published: November 2021

Article presents jewelry findings from Sula basin in the Poltava region. They were discovered between 2011 and 2016 on Slavic monuments of the early Middle Ages — Penkivka culture and Sakhnivka horizon. Jewelry findings find analogies among the Dnieper treasures by Martynivka and jewelry of Pastyrske hillfort.
Two fibulae (radiate-headed and anthropozoomorphic) and small bell were detected on settlement Khyttsi tract Shemberovo (fig. 1; 2). Fragment of radiate-headed brooch (fig. 1: 1; 2: 1) may belong to fibulae with a border of birds’ heads. Small bell (fig. 1: 2; 2: 2) decorated of two mortise lines finds wide analogies among Slavic antiquities (treasures of the Martynivka and Kolochyn culture) and early medieval cemeteries of the Crimea: Skaliste and Luchiste. Radiate-headed brooch and small bell date to the second half of the 6th—7th century.
Anthropozoomorphic brooch (fig. 1: 3; 2: 3) belongs to the jewelry made on the Pastyrske hillfort. The spread of such fibulae indicates the migration of a small part of the inhabitants of the Pastyrske hillfort or with trade and exchange relations. Fibula belongs to the Sakhnivka cultural and chronological horizon and dates from the second half of the 7th — the first half of the 8th century.
Other finds of were found on settlement Vovchyk tract Rudka (fig. 9; 10). Products of Penkivka culture are: fragment of radiate-headed brooch, five fragments of bracelets and six heraldic belt set details (fig. 9: 1—12; 10: 1—12).
Lunar-shaped item (fig. 9: 17; 10: 17) dates from period of Kievan Rus. Two buckles belong to the jewelry of the late Middle Ages or Modern times (fig. 9: 13, 14; 10: 13, 14).
The new findings enrich the understanding of typological diversity, evolution and their ranges and help to identify areas of trade and economic ties, migration routes, to identify certain cultural and historical areas.
AGRICULTURE IN THE INTERFLUVE OF DNIESTER AND IKVA AT OLD RUSSIAN PERIOD ACCORDING TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS
Authors: Yahodynska M. O. , Gorbanenko S. A.
Published: November 2021

The article sums up the results of archaeological investigations of the settlements of South Volyn (the territory around annalistic Danyliv town) and Western Podillia (the territory of sites complex of Zbruch cultural center, annalistic Terebovlia). Authors conducted generalization of findings of agriculture implements, white straw crops remains and supplemented source base. During archaeological investigations of the settlements and fortified settlements of Western Podillia and South Volyn at the end of 20th — beginning of 21th centuries scientists discovered 64 metal objects connected with agriculture found at 14 sites and palaeoethnobotanical materials at 11 sites (table 1; fig. 1). Functionally metal objects divide into tools connected with land cultivating: tips on plowing tools (4), coulter (2) (fig. 2), hoes (3) and shovels ironing (4) (fig. 3); and the tools for harvesting: sickles (33; fig. 6) and scythes (18; fig. 7). Only one palaeoethnobotanical complex from 11 sites is of interest to statistics (table 2; fig. 5).
Agriculture analysis is conducted according to the process: from land cultivating to preservation and harvest processing. Plowing tools are represented by developed tips types maximally similar to tusks. Findings of coulters prove existence of the most efficient tools of plough type for plowing. Set of ironings for shovels and hoes represents kitchen gardening and horticulture.
One full paleoethnobotanical spectrum connected with the region is derived which helps to characterize grain farming and spectrum indicators resemble early Slavic. At the same time indicators of efficient capricious white straw crops are rather substantial and that proves high level of tillage.
Presence of sickles and scythes is an undoubted proof of local agriculture. For harvest preserving some special grain pits were used.
The survey of materials concerned with agriculture proves its high level. Further thorough and combined investigations will give an opportunity to refine these conclusions and place and role of agriculture in life of ancient communities in the interfluve of Dniester and Ikva at Old Russian period.
FRONTIER PHENOMENON IN A SOCIOCULTURAL CONTEXT
Authors: Ivanova S. V.
Published: November 2021

Vitalij V. Otroschenko made a great contribution to the study of Copper and Bronze Age cultures in Ukraine. His researches of absolute and relative chronology, cultural changes and cultural coexistence have particular interest in the context of this article. They allow a reader to focus more reasonably on cultural and historical processes of North-Western Black Sea and Balkan-Carpathian regions staying within the frame of the frontier theory.
Most of researchers on the topic consider the «frontier» as a special zone of interference of different cultures. The frontier is also meant a special area where several cultures meet, shaping new socio-cultural relations. The frontier differs from deeper territory in higher mobility, where movement of large groups of people create new forms of cultural and social contacts. The system of intercultural communication depends on many factors, including the history of formation of the cultural landscape of the territory where intercultural communication is taking place.
Originally, the concept of «frontier» was applied exclusively to American history, but now we meet it in works related to the history of Ukraine. The situation of the frontier zone has begun to attract archeologists though in a rather narrow area concerning social changes (in the context of anthropological archeology).
The special nature of the source base of history and archaeology, especially in the preliterate period, determines similarities and differences of frontier problems studying by these sciences. The specificity of archaeological artefacts, on which the study of archaeological cultures relies to a large extent, must also be taken into account: they can spread over quite long distances in the means of exchange, without people movement.
In archaeological research of European Bronze Age, the Pit Grave (Yamnaya) culture is in the great importance; interest towards it has been reinforced by the latest genetic research. The mobility of society, innovation in the material culture of its western range allowed us to consider the Pit Grave cultural and historical community within the frontier theory.
At the same time, the comparison of two adjacent frontier zones (North-Western Black Sea Coast and Balkan-Carpathian area) made it possible to compare their common and special traits, in the context of their interconnection and mutual influences, taking into account the aspect of social identification.
METAL KNIVES OF THE BRONZE AGE FROM THE VICINITY OF KAMYANA MOHYLA (WESTERN AZOV SEA REGION)
Authors: Kotova N. S. , Dzhos V. S. , Makhortykh S. V. , Radchenko S. B.
Published: November 2021

Metal (copper and bronze) knives is one of the most striking categories of artefacts in the materials of the Black Sea cultures of the Early, Middle and Late Bronze Age. In addition to introducing new archaeological evidences to scientific community, the paper aims to analyze the place of a representative series of knives (8 items) from the vicinity of Kamyana Mohyla (Zaporizhzhya region) in the cultural and chronological coordinate system of the southern part of Eastern Europe Bronze Age. Three knives came from the Yamna culture burials. The one with an oval blade of the Zarechnoe type (kurgan 1, burial 8) is similar to those used on the vast area from the North-Western Black Sea region to the North Caucasus. Knives from Novopilipovka (kurgan 6, burial 5) and Semenovka (kurgan 2, burial 1) introduce some local features and were probably produced by the local metalworking center. Four other knives are related to the Catacomb culture. The one with a sub-triangular blade and an accented handle from Zarechnoe (kurgan 7, burial 1) belongs to the artefacts that occure rarely during the Catacomb time, but was common for the Yamnaya culture in Crimea and in the Dnieper region. Other types of artefacts do not meet the analogies in Yamnaya culture burials. Knives with a leaf-shaped short blade and maximum widening in their upper part (Zarechnoe, kurgan 17, burial 4) are usually attributed to the Catacomb culture of the Seversky Donets basin and to the east of the Don river. Knives of the Kamyana Mohyla 5 type with a leaf-shaped blade and a long handle are also usually found at the Catacomb sites of the Seversky Donets basin. Knives of the Sekiz 3 type with a long handle and a short sub-rhombic blade originated in the Catacomb culture and the final Novotitorovka group. They are localized in the eastern regions (the Don basin, the Lower Volga, and the North Caucasus). A knife from the Terpinnya site is associated with the monuments of the second period of the Berezhno-Mayevskaya Srubnaya culture and is similar to the finds coming from the archaeological sites in the steppe Dnieper region and Azov Sea region in the second half of the second millennium BC. The large number of metal knives found in the studied area during the Bronze Age, which originate both from burials and settlements was probably related to the use of Kamyana Mohyla Hill as a ritual place.
VARIATIONS OF THE TRYPILLIA CULTURE HOUSES ACCORDING TO THE INTERIOR OF THE SECOND STOREY
Authors: Chernovol D. K.
Published: November 2021

Oven is a permanent element of interior of the Trypillia culture house. An oven is always located to the right from the entrance to the residential room of the second storey. Other interior details, such as altar, podium etc, are not met in every single house. This paper aims to define variations of the Trypillia culture houses according to the presence or lack of elements of interior. Origin of variations is analyzed according to the chronology of sites. The analysis is focused only on the interior of the second storey.
Fifteen variations of Trypillia houses were defined as of today. Variations one to three are typical only for Early Trypillia. Those are different from the latter variations by the location of an oven. Variations four to six were formed during the Trypillia BI stage and lasted till Trypillia CII. Other variations characterize slight differences between certain periods of culture. Organization of interior did not change much since Trypillia BI. However Trypillia BI is characterized by its highest variation.
The high level of unification of the Trypillia culture dwellings was probably caused by the fact that the house construction was the collective activity. Different taboos, which did not let the deviation from commonly accepted rules, also should not be excluded. Certain individual elements could appear in the result of house construction by an individual or family. They could be also caused by the functioning of house and some rational reasons.
Change in the location of an oven during Trypillia BI could be explained by the climate change during this period of time, which was noted by the number of scholars, or incorporation of people from different cultural units into Trypillia populations.