EARLY MEDIEVAL MYKILSKE HOARD: PRELIMINARY REPORT

Abstract

This paper presents the findings from the Mykilske hoard, which belongs to the assemblages of the Martynivka circle. Jewelry from the hoard dates to the se­cond half of 6th — late 7th century, and its deposition occurs in the middle — third quarter of 7th century. This assemblage was discovered outside the archaeological sites. Therefore it is possible that this hoard confirms the «household» version of the deposition of hoards proposed by one of the authors. Mykilske hoard consisted of 4 whole (two couples) and head-plat of fifth radiate-headed fibulae, 2 lunar pendants with 3 trapezoidal pendants, fragmentary bracelet, 2 rings and bronze tubular beads: 5 spiral and 7 simple smooth ones. The study of the chemical composition of the metal and its analysis make it possible to trace the techno­logy of objects manufacturing, to single out the individual operations and methods used by craftsmen. The production of items took place according to a single technological scheme — casting in two-piece clay cas­ting molds in combination with separate jewelry techniques, such as the use of stiffening ribs — longitudinal ribs in the manufacture of radiate-headed fibulae. Such a constructive detail, which is uncharacteristic for Crimean and Western European jewelers, is considered a local jewelry technique of the artisans of the Middle Dnieper region and the Dnieper forest-steppe Left Bank. Further morphological and trassological study of the objects from hoard make it possible to more fully trace the technique, operations and methods used by jewelers, to reconstruct the process of making jewelry and to highlight the characteristic features of jewelry of this region. Who and how many people could be the owners of this assemblage is also a debatable question. However, the four radiate-headed fibulae may indicate at least two sets for clothing. The Mykilske hoard was discovered in the area of the Kolochin culture. Downstream of the river Psel the Bezdryk barrow cemetery is located. A more precise definition of the ethno-cultural context is possible only after archaeological explorations in the microregion. However, this is currently impossible, because since the end of February 2022, after the full-scale invasion of russian troops, this territory has become an arena of hostilities and remains potentially dangerous. It is also located within a 20-kilometer zone from the state border of Ukraine, where scientific activities are currently prohibited. Although the hoard is quite typical for this circle of antiquities, nevertheless, it adds information about the ethno-cultural situation in the region in the period of the 5th—7th centuries and the features of the spread of such assemblages among Slavs.