The Armament Complex of the Early Cossack Era According to the Materials of Excavations on the Island of Baida

Abstract

The complex of Cossack armament of the 16th century is much less known than the weapons of 17th –18th centuries. This gap can be filled by excavation materials on the island Mala Khortytsia (Baida). The wooden fortifications with clay mud were found on the island. They are typical for the fortification of the 15th – 16th centuries. They were built in the same system as in princely times. There is an opinion that the basis of the Cossack weapon became the processed peasant tools: a battle sickle, a battle scythe, an axe, a morgenstern, etc. The finds on Baida Island do not confirm the thesis about the rural weapons of the first Cossacks. The weapons found on Baida makes it possible to assert that the typical complex of Cossack weapons, well known in the 17th century, had not yet been formed at an earlier time. However, the main signs of the armament of the European armies are also present in the Cossack armament complex on the island. During the years of the monument research, two samples of cannons, four samples of firearms, and numerous tools for firearms (bullets, rifle flints, wick locks, ramrods) were found. Cold weapons are represented by spears, sulitsas, knives, axes. The fragments of protective armor and numerous arrowheads were also found. The presence of sabers is evidenced by belt buckles and a fragment of a saber blade. Thus, the main weapon of the Cossack were muskets and pistols. Axes were in second place. The rest of the weapons can be classified as singular. At least two types of cannons were used.