ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF THE POST-MONGOLIAN PERIOD NEAR SEDNIV

Abstract

Archaeological sites of Sedniv and its outskirts have been studied since the end of the 19th century and, despite the attention of scientists, systematic extencive researches were concentrated mainly around hillforts that could be associated with the Chronicle Snovsk.
 At the Sedniv territory there are at least three hillforts, and one of which — Tryfonovshchyna hillfort — has never been excavated before 2015. It is located in the south-eastern part of the village, 100 m from the edge of the right bench over the flood land (shooter cape 20 m high). On the western side the hillfort cuted by the moat up to 20 m wide and 6.0 m deep and defensive rampart up to 1.5 m high (on the western side of the site). The hillfort is of triangular shape. On the western side in the middle of rampart from the bottom of the moat to the northeast there is a ramp-road up to 30 m long. Archaeological excavations of the Tryfonovshchyna hillfort were necessary due to ascertain the chronology of the site.
 In order to find out the time of construction of the fortifications the archaeological profile of defensive rampart was made. It was received the interesting stratigraphic situation of its formation. The remains of wooden-earth cages (klet) of rampart have been found which burned in a fire of the late 14th — early 15th century. The rampart cages were build along the perimeter of the hillfort, and the additional defensive line in the eastern separate part of cape was erected.
 Research on the Tryfonovshchyna hillfort made it possible to discover the cultural layers and objects of the post-Mongolian period. The discovered building of the late 14th — early 15th century displays the tradition of the constructions of the site. The part of additional defensive line (stockade) outside the hillfort has been explored as well.
 The stratigraphic observations of the fortifications and the constructions of the site indicate it’s destruction in a powerful fire. Finds of the weapons (crossbow bolt, iron plates from Mongolian armor, chain mail rings), elements of military clothing, numismatic finds make it possible to suggest the military conflict between the Lithuanian and Golden Horde troops in the late 14th — early 15th century.