EARLY MEDIEVAL HOARD FROM SUMY REGION: NEW ARRIVALS AND RESEARCH PROSPECTS

Abstract

This paper contains the information about new finds of hoards of the early Middle Ages (Martynivka circle), which were discovered recently in the Sumy region. Until recently, only two similar assemblages were known in this area — Nyzhnya Syrovatka (fig. 1) and Velyki Budky (fig. 2). However, recently their number has increased significantly. Some of them got to the museum institutions of Sumy region (fig. 10). In 2011, the Shevchenkove hoard was transferred to the Putivl State Historical and Cultural Reserve. The assemblages contained the decoration of women’s and men’s clothing and a number of household and handicraft items. In recent years, Mykilske (fig. 3: A), Myropillya (fig. 4) and Pozhnya (fig. 5), Mohrytsya (fig. 6) and Kamyanka hoards have been transferred to the Sumy Regional Museum of Local Lore. Parts of finds from the Rusanivka (fig. 7) and Mala Rybytsya assemblages were transferred to this museum also. Some of the finds from the First Parkhomivka and Dobryanske — Sydorova Yaruha hoards, and almost the entire Second Parkhomivka hoard, have been transferred to the Trostyanetsky Museum and Exhibition assemblage. Preliminary archaeological research has been carried out at the site of some of the assemblages. As a result of these works, it was possible to find out quite accurately the location of the Mykilske (fig. 3: B; 8: A; 9: 1), Pozhnya and Parkhomivka hoards. Similar finds have been recorded in the prospect trench. The exact location of the Mogritsky assemblage has not yet been determined. Although archaeological research has been in the microregion (fig. 8: B—G; 9: 2, 3). All newly discovered assemblages described above belong to the hoards of Martynivka circle. Jewelry from their composition dates from the second half of 6th — the end of 7th century. And «concealment» occurs in the middle — third quarter of 7th century. The appearance of treasures is connected with the military-political tribal association of Slavs in the Middle Dnieper and the Dnieper Left Bank. The archaeological equivalent of this formation could be parts of the carriers of the Penkivka and Kolochyn cultures. Further research of the hoards is planned in the following areas: 1) survey of the sites and the surrounding area to more accurately determine the ethnocultural situation; 2) analysis of jewelry from the composition of assemblages; 3) attempt to reconstruct the outfit; 4) conducting research on the elemental composition of things with the involvement of modern nuclear-physical research methods; 5) compiling a catalog of early Slavic monuments in the Sumy region and writing a general ethnocultural history of the region. Work in these areas has only just begun.