Нові матеріали ранньоскіфського часу в долині річки Луга

Abstract

The article submits the results of protective archaeological studies conducted in 2016–2018 by scientific research center “Rescue Archaeological Service” (National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Institite of archaeology) at the Lokachi gas production facility. Excavations have been made on the settlements Markovychi 1, Markovychi 2, Mizhgirya 1, Mizhgirya 3, Rohovychi 1 and Rohovychi 2 which contained materials of Early Iron Age. Until recently only three sites of that period were discovered in Lokachi district, undoubtedly a minor achievement especially by comparison with fruitful studies made by L. Krushelnytska, G. Okhrimenko, I. Mykhalchyshyn, V. Konoplia and S. Terskyi across the neighboring Volodymyr-Volynski, Ivanychi and Lutsk districts of Volyn region. Therefore, any new excavation results would make an essential influx of information on Early Iron Age settlement structure in the valley of river Luga. The article analyses items, mostly handmade pottery from cultural layers and archaeological objects, often found alongside with another materials of different cultural and chronological origins. The largest item collections have been discovered on the settlements Rohovychi 1 and Mizhgirya 3 which included household structures full with pottery of distinctive forms and décor elements that is of so called Lesznytsia type of Early Scythian time culture. Shapes and technological characteristics of local pottery resemble peculiar features of same item category on the Early Iron Age archaeological sites from neighboring Rivne and Lviv regions. On contrary they miss the same features on the synchronous sites in the southern parts of Volyn region. This certainly provokes issues regarding the inner transfers and cultural conversation among the populaces of Lezhnytsia type group. Seemingly small-scale survey studies and excavations have produces substantial results but additionally they announced great prospects of further regional studies important for evaluation of migratory movements and settlement evolution in the area on the ridge crossing between the basins of Western Bug and Pryp’iat revers. Key words: Early Iron Age, Lezhnytsia type group, Lokachi gas production facility, archaeological surveys, settlement, pottery.