KALENYKY HILL-FORT AT THE DOWNSTREAM OF SUPIY RIVER

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the results of exploratory archaeological research in 2015—2020 near the village of Kalenyky, Zolotonosha district, Cherkasy region. Kalenykivske hill-fort is one of the significant and poor studied fortified centers of Supiy basin. The history of its research is considered and the archaeological finds from the site are characterized in the paper. The state of preservation of the acropolis and the fortified outskirt is considered in detail. Deciphering the satellite images it was possible to identify and localize two lines of fortifications in the area, which was not possible before. The paper analyzes all artifacts known to date, which were discovered in previous years and introduced into scientific circulation. The provided archaeological materials and data indicate that in the Old Rus Age there was a significant fortified settlement in the southern part of the high Kalenyki-Tashan plateau,which had the status of the center of a microregion with urban features. The church bell of the 12th century made by French craftsmen and found next to the acropolis demonstrates the wide economic and cultural ties not only of the centers of principalities but also of remote fortified settlements. Nine body crosses, mostly from the 12th century, found nearby, allows us to suppose the presence of a church and a Christian population. Fortification features and the available materials of the Kalenyki hillfort make it possible to reliably connect this archaeological complex with the powerful center of the semi-nomadic federations of the Pereyaslav princes («our pagans»). According to the area, the Kalenyki hill-fort (23.1 ha) belongs to one of the significant sites not only of the Pereyaslav region but also of Southern Russia. It can claim the status of one of the Supiy centers.