FOREST PRODUCTION IN THE CITIES OF BELARUS XII – XVII CENTURIES (ACCORDING TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND WRITTEN DATA)

Abstract

Based on archaeological and written sources the article considers forests crafts in the towns of Belarus in XII – XVII centuries. The forests crafts include harvesting of wood, gathering, apiculture and hunting. The hunting is not con-sidered here. The wood was harvested for house building and everyday needs of townsfolk, for fortifications and commu-nal needs of a town. In XII – XIII centuries the wood could be harvested for the individuals. In XVI – XVII centuries it could be the subject of trade. Mushrooms and berries gatherings could be activity for the townsfolk as well as for rural residents, who delivered their product to the town for exchange. The apiculture in XII – XIV centuries could take place to some extent in small towns. For the period of XV – XVI centuries it was the activity only for the rural residents, who delivered their products to the town.