Materials of the Western Trypillia Culture From the Settlements of Kamianets-Podilskyi, Tatarysky And Kubachivka

Abstract

This paper presents the results of archaeological surveys at the Western Trypillia culture sites of Kamianets-Podilskyi, Tatarysky and Kubachivka in the 1990s and the 2000s. The article considers the history of research at these settlements from their discovery (in 1926 and 1947 respectively) until the present. The authors have specifically focused upon threats faced by the Kubachivka site, which keeps being destroyed by the eponymous quarry situated nearby. The study analyzes ceramics and flint and stone tools from the settlements. Ceramics from the Kamianets-Podilskyi, Tatarysky (3950—3900 ВСЕ) is represented by table and kitchen pottery. The first is decorated with a monochromic ornamental painting (black and brown colors); the most informative tableware are craters decorated with «face patterns» that are typical for the Mereșeuca local group, Stage BII (as per Taras M. Tkachuk). Tools are made from various raw materials including granitoids, Cenomanian and Turonian flint. The collection includes items related to the production of tools and other products (the attrition mill and the powder-crusher), waste and items of artifacts secondary processing. As far as Kubachivka settlement is concerned, the sample of ceramics materials is rather poor. The most of the items are not sufficiently intact. Upon having analyzed materials, we have been able to confirm the preliminary conclusions of prior researches. Stonework artifacts are also represented in a modest quantity of 9 pcs. These mostly include polished items as well as a hammered stone, plates, and suchlike. In our opinion, the ceramic artifacts discovered thereby should be ascribed to two chronological horizons, specifically: the BI—II and the BII stages. Further investigations will enable more precise chronologies.