HISTORY OF RESEARCH OF SCYTHIAN SITES IN THE NORTHERN AZOV SEA REGION

Abstract

Northern Azov region (Pryazovia) is the place of concentration of one of the largest groups of Scythian sites of the 5th—4th centuries BC. At the same time, local necropolises show significant variability in chronological and structural characteristics. Therefore, one of the first issues aimed at a better understanding of the region is the completeness and directions of archaeological research of the territory. The paper offers an overview of the main stages of the discovery of the Scythian sites in this region and the factors that influenced them. It follows the chronological order of explorations, both field and theoretical. The first excavations date back to the 19th century with the discovery of the kurhans in the Obitochna river mouth. The synchronous historical-geographical attempt of placing Herodotus’ Royal Scythians on the map of the Azov region is analyzed separately. The early 20th century is mostly characterized by archaeological studies in the local museums. The first large-scale expeditions as well as the summarizing works that approached the Azov region started in 1950—1960. During this stage the first in the 20th century Royal barrow, Melitopol kurhan, was excavated. This discovery prompted further research of the large kurhans in the Azov region. The breakthrough stage is considered to be the period between 1970 and 1990. The works in the North-Western part of Pryazovia were primarily associated with the Khersons’ka and Priazovs’ka expeditions of the Institute of Archaeology (IA). During this time, no less than 130 Scythian burial mounds were discovered and recorded there. The scope and amount of the field research also influenced the advancement in the standardization of the procedure of the kurhan exploration and documentation. In the Kalmius basin, archaeological research took place less intensively due to the smaller area of construction works. The excavations of the 1970s were primarily connected with the activities of the Donetsk expedition of the IA led by S. Bratchenko. Although the number of burials in the Donetsk region was significantly smaller, the research of the Shevchenko and Kremenivka complexes showed the presence of unique ritual sites, as well as the intensive use of local granite deposits for the construction of stone structures. Overall, more than a century of research allowed a better understanding of the history of the Scythians in the Pryazovia and showed the importance of continuing fieldwork and further conceptualizing this region.