АРХЕОЛОГІЧНІ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ДАВНЬОРУСЬКИХ ПОСЕЛЕНЬ 10–13 СТОЛІТЬ НА ТЕРИТОРІЇ СЛОВЕЧАНСЬКО-ОВРУЦЬКОГО КРЯЖУ

Abstract

The article highlights the history of research on the peculiarities of the settlement structure of theAncient Rus period on the territory of a unique natural formation – the Slovechansko-Ovruchskyi ridge, located in the north of the Zhytomyr region. The purpose of the article: to analyze the stages of research of ancient Rus objects that had special conditions of development during the 10–13 centuries. The methodological basis of the research is the principle of scientificity, methods of empirical and theoretical research. Scientific novelty: for the first time, information on the study of ancient Russian settlements, which arose and developed in specific economic conditions during the 10-13 centuries, was analyzed and systematized. Conclusions. In addition to good fertile soils and a favorable climate for agriculture, the territory of the Ovrutsky ridge also attracted people with deposits of pink pyrophyllite slates. Mining, processing and manufacturing of things from it become the main occupation of the local the Ancient Rus population. A unique settlement structure is formed on the territory of the ridge, which traditionally consists of a settlement, a post, open settlements and burial grounds. But the peculiarity is that open settlements have a large area, they can conditionally be combined into agglomerations. Also, the settlements are specialized, their population is closely related to the development of pyrophyllite deposits, its extraction, processing, and transportation are the main occupations of the ancient Rus population of the Ovrutsky Ridge. Ancient Rus on the specified territory were destroyed for a long time, but from the end of the 9th century. they began to be discovered and recorded by scientists. During the entire 20th century the sights of the region were examined by archaeologists, but no research was carried out. only from the end of the 20th century. The Ovrutsk archaeological expedition started working in the region, which discovered unique sights - specialized settlements with a rich cultural layer. But the archaeological sites of the region also require protection. The activities of the employees of the Ovrutsk archaeological expedition within the framework of the "Ovrutsk project" created for the study and protection of the monuments of the former Ovrutsk volost are aimed at this.