Preventive archaeological investigations of 2006–2021 in the M 03 Kyiv–Kharkiv–Dovzhansky highway development area based on the materials of the Rescue Archaeological Service

Based on materials from works carried out by the Rescue Archaeological Service between 2006 and 2021, the history of archaeological investigations conducted within the development area of the M 03 Kyiv–Kharkiv–Dovzhanskyi highway is examined. This highway became one of the first road infrastructure projects in Ukraine where archaeological investigations were conducted at all stages of the implementation of investment projects related to its development. At the feasibility study stage, preliminary archaeological investigations covered over 900 km of this route and yielded data on 238 known archaeological sites. Both independently and in collaboration with other research institutions, surveys were carried out on reconstruction and new-construction sections with a total length of 328 km and an area of over 900 hectares. Within the design corridor, 77 archaeological objects were identified, 45 of which were located within the construction zone, ranging from 4 to 100 m in width. Compensatory measures were implemented at 10 sites in the form of archaeological excavations covering almost 13,000 m2. The study highlights the uneven archaeological exploration of Ukraine’s territory, the insufficient level of publication of archaeological survey results, and the unsatisfactory state of the official accounting system for archaeological monuments. It is noted that repeated surveys of the right-of-way increase the number of identified archaeological objects by a factor of 1.5–2, while the average archaeological objects occurrence index is approximately one archaeological object per 2 km on new-construction sections and one archaeological object per 4 km on reconstruction sections. The paper emphasizes that investigations within the reconstruction of existing roads should not be regarded as “low-potential”, and that excavations of “scientifically unprofitable” sites over large areas often result in significant scientific discoveries. It is stressed that road construction – both new construction and reconstruction – has a potentially significant negative impact on cultural heritage objects within the right-of-way, and therefore must be accompanied by appropriate archaeological supervision from the earliest planning stages. Pre-project investigations and surveys are presented as measures aimed at avoiding direct or indirect negative impacts, while archaeological excavations and supervision are defined as measures that compensate for the negative impact of construction on archaeological monuments

Archaeological evidence · Archaeological record · Excavation · Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies · Environmental and Biological Research in Conflict Zones · Scientific Research and Studies