SLAVIC JEWELRY OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES FOUND FROM SULA BASIN IN POLTAVA REGION: NEW FINDS

Abstract

Article presents jewelry findings from Sula basin in the Poltava region. They were discovered between 2011 and 2016 on Slavic monuments of the early Middle Ages — Penkivka culture and Sakhnivka horizon. Jewelry findings find analogies among the Dnieper treasures by Martynivka and jewelry of Pastyrske hillfort.
 Two fibulae (radiate-headed and anthropozoomorphic) and small bell were detected on settlement Khyttsi tract Shemberovo (fig. 1; 2). Fragment of radiate-headed brooch (fig. 1: 1; 2: 1) may belong to fibulae with a border of birds’ heads. Small bell (fig. 1: 2; 2: 2) decorated of two mortise lines finds wide analogies among Slavic antiquities (treasures of the Martynivka and Kolochyn culture) and early medieval cemeteries of the Crimea: Skaliste and Luchiste. Radiate-headed brooch and small bell date to the second half of the 6th—7th century.
 Anthropozoomorphic brooch (fig. 1: 3; 2: 3) belongs to the jewelry made on the Pastyrske hillfort. The spread of such fibulae indicates the migration of a small part of the inhabitants of the Pastyrske hillfort or with trade and exchange relations. Fibula belongs to the Sakhnivka cultural and chronological horizon and dates from the second half of the 7th — the first half of the 8th century.
 Other finds of were found on settlement Vovchyk tract Rudka (fig. 9; 10). Products of Penkivka culture are: fragment of radiate-headed brooch, five fragments of bracelets and six heraldic belt set details (fig. 9: 1—12; 10: 1—12).
 Lunar-shaped item (fig. 9: 17; 10: 17) dates from period of Kievan Rus. Two buckles belong to the jewelry of the late Middle Ages or Modern times (fig. 9: 13, 14; 10: 13, 14).
 The new findings enrich the understanding of typological diversity, evolution and their ranges and help to identify areas of trade and economic ties, migration routes, to identify certain cultural and historical areas.