Structure № 18 of ‘Near Suburbs’ of Dykyi Sad Fortified Settlement

Abstract

The purpose of the research paper is to characterize and determine the arrangement and constructional features of structure № 18 located within the territory of the ‘Near Suburbs’ of Dykyi Sad fortified settlement dated to the Final Bronze Age (12/13-12/11 centuries BCE). Scientific novelty. The constructional features of the walls of the structure’s stone foundations construction and the nature and structure of its utility pits filling are analyzed. Localization and description of specific material objects (pottery, bronze items, stone and horn produced items) found in the filling of the structure and pits are presented. Conclusions. It is found out that structure № 18, based on the constructional features of the construction, the nature, and filling of the pits, as well as the found artifacts, can be classified as residential, deepened construction. It was probably the house of a large family engaging in metalwork (stone and horn produced items and a trove of bronze items near the house). In terms of construction, the structure was a part of a single system of buildings of the ‘Near Suburbs’ of Dykyi Sad which followed the bend of the moat of the ‘Citadel’ (structures № 21, 13, 17, 18, 22, and found, but not studied structure № 23). The context of their location shows that the building system of this part of the fortified settlement had a radial-ring character. It formed the additional protection for the ‘Citadel’. This fact indicates the sustainability of the entire fortified settlement. Almost all the structures of the ‘Near Suburbs’, practically, are built according to the same principle and have similar characteristics – they are built at the same distance from the moat, deepened for more than one meter to the subsoil, and have strong stone foundations. Only structure № 17 with outbuildings on both sides is singled out (ground-based wattle and daub construction without stone foundations). Structure № 18 is typical for Dykyi Sad fortified settlement itself as well as for other settlements of the Western part of the Upper Black Sea region of the Final Bronze Age (post-Sabatynivka and early Bilozerka times).