Martyniv’s treasure: opinion and interpretation

Abstract

The history of discovery, expropriation, museification and interpretation of the Martyniv’s treasure, which was found by peasants in the early ХХ century during agricultural work in Kaniv district of Kyiv province, which was then part of the Russian Empire, is considered. The reader's attention is focused on the long period of returning the treasure to the museum funds, the probable loss of some items in the collection, the scattering of finds within Kaniv County and abroad, the current location of material treasures and more. Emphasis is placed on the significant contribution of individual researchers in the study, balanced, reasonable and reliable interpretation of the found things. Against the background of various events, past and present state of preservation of found values, the issue of protection of the national historical and cultural heritage of Ukraine is actualized. Emphasis is placed on the usurpatory policy of the rulers of tsarist and modern Russia regarding the national and cultural heritage of Ukraine, the existing ideological traditions of presenting false, distorted and falsified information. Based on the application of additional information, the results of interdisciplinary research, materials derived from technical disciplines, acquired, expanded and supplemented knowledge about the ancient color foundry and stamp-forging production, as well as its features. Specific examples indicate the probability of the existence of cultural and industrial borrowings not only between ethnic groups, but also in the systems of different industries. The data of radioscopic analysis of the Martyniv’s treasure finds, obtained by researchers in the 80s of the last century, are analyzed. Materials of interdisciplinary researches are important in terms of studying and illuminating images of mysterious anthropomorphic treasure figures. The position of the body of figures, head, arms, legs, etc. was assessed. Key words: treasures, metal products, production methods, finds, ornamentation, scientific research, X ray analysis, historical and cultural heritage.