THE DITCH OF THE 17th CENTURY FOR MOORING BOATS IN THE VOZNESENSKYI MONASTERY NEAR DUBNO: CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS

Abstract

Archaeological research carried out on Dubovets Island in 2022 made it possible to discover and study part of the ditch for mooring boats. The rich collection of materials with a wide range of categories was obtained from the ditches fill due to the fact that it accumulated the garbage and kitchen waste. At a certain point in time, a lot of fish were scaled near it which resulted in a continuous layer of scales. Judging by surface observations, this ditch stretched from the edge of the floodplain, i.e. the former pond bank, to the place where monastery-related objects were concentrated on the top of the hill, some of which were uncovered by excavations. Position and structure of the ditch indicate that it was used as a canal for launching and mooring of boats, which was a quite appropriate engineering solution in the conditions of a changing water levels in the pond and coastal reeds. The regular rows of stakes are the remains of protective wooden structures that strengthened the sandy sides of the ditch, apparently by weaving thin wood between them. The mixed sediments of layer 6 are traces of their destruction during the operation of the ditch. The analysis of archaeological materials from the ditch fill layers indicates that it was used during the 17th and 18th centuries. Object 83 is an important addition to the spatial and planning reconstruction of the monastery territory. It also serves as an example of an archaeological study of a peculiar technical structure that is not often discovered. Obviously, such ditches were built for residential complexes in the past where there was a need and the opportunity to attract the necessary labor. Ostriv Dubovets, as evidenced by the plans of the 17th and 18th centuries, was located near one of the riverbeds of the Ikva, which was more clearly visible during the period of low water in the pond. During the flood season, especially in spring, the valley between the island and the town was completely flooded. Thus, the water level near the island was not constant throughout the year, which made it impossible to arrange a simple berth. In addition, Ostriv Dubovets had a very gentle and elongated coastline, which was flooded for different lengths throughout the year. Therefore, for the convenience of embarkation and debarkation people, as well as loading and unloading boats on a dry section of the island’s shore, the construction of the discovered ditch was a necessary and original solution.