Newly Discovered Archaeological Sites of the Central-Western Part of Lviv Region

The results of the 2011 archaeological survey of the central-western part of the Lviv region within the former Horodok (now Lviv) district are presented. The natural and geographical features of the studied microregion are characterized, the main types of archaeological sites are highlighted, and the previous history of their study is summarized. A catalog of newly discovered and surveyed settlements, barrows, hillforts, and locations was compiled, and was supplemented with numerous illustrative materials. At the end of the catalog, a unique find from 2014 on the eastern outskirts of Horodok is analyzed in detail – a burial complex with a rich collection of ceramics and copper products of the Lublin-Volhynian culture, possibly attributable to the cremation burial of one of the representatives of the elite of that time. According to the results of the research conducted by the method of continuous archaeological survey of selected territorial zones, an area of more than 120 km2 was studied. Seventy-two archeological sites were identified, examined, and documented: 37 settlements, 25 barrow cemeteries (36 barrows), ground burial, hillfort, and 8 separate locations. All of them are presented on a combined map, localized in more detail on separate maps, and recorded in photos. Artifacts collected from the surfaces are presented in drawings and photos. Special attention is paid to the settlements of the Early Middle Ages, recorded near modern localities, the ancient names (ethnonyms) of which are connected with certain historical ethnic groups (Uhry, Uhertsi, Yatvyagi) or represent the oldest Slavic topography (Putyatychi, Rodatychi, Dubanevychi, Lisnovychi, etc. ). Taking into account all the studies of the central-western part of the Lviv region, it has been established that in this territory we have traces of human settlement and activity from the Stone Age – the Mesolithic to the Late Middle Ages. It is noted that the archaeological sources obtained in a relatively small area indicate that this terrain, like the neighboring geographical areas, was permanently inhabited or used by humans during this time, without major interruptions. It was established that the ancient history and culture of the Horodok area cannot yet be completely reconstructed based on archaeological materials and separate written reports of the annals, but they are a reliable basis for further research and open good prospects for such research. Keywords: archaeological surveys, the central-western part of Lviv region, archaeological sites of different periods

Ancient history · Archaeology · Bronze Age · Chalcolithic · Geography · Human settlement · Slavic languages · Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies · Archaeological Research and Protection · Historical and Archaeological Studies · History