NEW RESEARCH OF FORTIFICATION OF THE BASIVKA HILL-FORT

Abstract

Defensive structures are the integral part of any fortified settlement. Their study requires significant labor costs, so usually the earthen constructions haven’t received enough attention from the predecessors. Basivka hill-fort is definitely the key settlement of the Scythian Age in the Sula River basin. Its total area is approximately 170 ha. The central, residential part is located on three well-fortified capes. Not all fortification areas were created simultaneously but had developed dynamically in time and space. Successful usage of natural topographic features at this settlement is combined with the basics of defense tactics. Modern agricultural activity and dwelling construction led to significant damage,and in some places to the destruction of earthen structures of Basivka hill-fort. This is especially true of the Great Outer Rampart which is well-preserved only in the eastern part. The complexity of the modern terrain and the significant forest cover were the determining factors that hindered the preparation of the most accurate topographic plan of this site. The paper presents a new plan of central fortifications but it also needs to be revised which is a matter of the future. A separate issue of the work is devoted to the placement of ancient entrances, which, like the fortification in general, could change over time and move from the main to the role of secondary ones. The paper highlights the results of excavations of the Great Basivka Rampart which were conducted in 2020—2021. It is ascertained that the defensive structures cover the cultural layer of the settlement. In general, valuable information was obtained regarding the development of fortifications in the Ukrainian Forest-Steppe of Dnieper Left-Bank area in the Scythian Age.