UTILITY COMPLEX OF THE EARLY 15Th century FROM CHERKASY PODIL

Abstract

This paper introduces the materials from archaeological explorations in 2022 at Gagarina str. 60 in Cherkasy. This area belongs to Cherkasy Podil (Lower Town) located in 200 m from the Lithuanian time castle at Dzelegora. Semi-pit-house or pit-storage (dwelling 2) dated to the beginning of 15th century is one of the most interesting features revealed by the excavations. The Feature is dated to the time when Cherkasy was shifted from a small border town of Podil principality (Lithuanian vassal) to an important administrative center of the Great Lithuanian Kingdom. The dwelling was destroyed in fire which caused the preservation of its wooden construction including the wall coverage. Complex of finds composed of wooden and ceramic vessels, tannery’s threshing machine, handle of a huge bucket, scythe, needle, knife and bronze icon-amulet comes from the feature’s floor and filling. Charcoaled seeds were found on the floor of this dwelling. These are represented by rye (Secale cereale). The other domesticated plants were not found. We may note an admixture of weed looking similar to Convolvulus arvensis which is counted at 1.5 %. The latter estimate indicates the net cereal yield. Rye is a widely spread cereal. Its significance is underlined by the symbolic meaning in folk songs and expressions. Rye is a symbol of a good harvest and richness. Burning of the dwelling may be explained by either the unintentional burning, or the military aggression. The latter may be indirectly confirmed by the arrowhead found in the filling of the dwelling. The analyzed feature is important in the study of subsistence and material culture of the «Lithuanian» period in the region.