Artifacts of Previous Eras, as Objects of Reverence by Ancient Populations (based on the materials of the archaeological places of Bukovyna)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31861/hj2024.60.29-42Keywords:
Bukovyna, Chornivka hillfort, Ridkivtsi archeological complex, archaeological research, material culture, artifacts, «arrows of thunder»Abstract
The article is devoted to the analysis of archaeological materials discovered during the study of archaeological places of Bukovyna, which do not fit into their historical and chronological context. We are talking about objects, the use of which is clearly anachronistic. These are tools, weapons, decorations, household items of previous eras: from the Paleolithic to the Early Iron Age. Discovered at the places of the ancient and medieval periods, such finds did not find satisfactory explanations in historiography for a long time. Artifacts of previous eras received the general name «arrows of thunder» in the scientific literature. At the same time, in a number of works, mainly archaeological, the designation «antique» product or «antique» is used to designate them. «Arrows of thunder» discovered at the places of the ancient and medieval periods did not find satisfactory explanations in historiography. For the most part, they were considered to be the result of the displacement of cultural layers at multi–layered monuments, late excavations, or they were generally silenced, since they did not find satisfactory explanations. However, when such objects were discovered in closed archaeological complexes and the chance of their getting there was ruled out, there were attempts to explain this phenomenon.
Ethnographic studies and folklore materials provided significant help in solving this problem. Among the European population, «arrows of thunder» were associated with various stone, less often metal, products, namely, drilled Neolithic and Eneolithic stone axes, Paleolithic spearheads, sharp points, flint knives, bronze arrowheads, etc. They also include fulgurites (sand that melted from a lightning strike) and belemnites (fossilized molluscs), etc. We can say that stone and metal axes performed the function of amulets, obviously, for the higher strata of society at that time and were «healing» means that were consecrated by the church and used by the population. It should be mentioned that «heavenly axes in a golden frame» are known in Byzantium, and the fact of the consecration of an ax by a bishop from Scandinavian warriors is recorded in written sources.
It is much more difficult to explain the presence of metal ornaments (fibulas) of previous eras in the Chorniv settlement and their content. We believe that these were relics somehow connected with the church and its saints. In Christian iconography, since Byzantine times, one of the elements of clothing in which Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, Saints and Great Martyrs were depicted was a clasp or fibula. It was used to fasten the edges of the hymantia, chlamydia, lazerna, that is, the upper parts of the clothes (cloaks) that covered the figures of the righteous Christians. Fibulas (they are also called zapons or agraphs) are especially often found on icons with images of holy martyrs and pious princes. Later, the image of fibulas on the cloaks of soldiers became a symbol of serving the Heavenly King — the Lord Jesus Christ and joining his Holy Army. So, we can assume that the fibula in the iconography symbolized belonging to the army that protected the Christian religion. It is not excluded that not only fibulas-fasteners were symbols of warriors defenders, but also real metal fibulas found under different circumstances or brought from places connected with the lives and exploits of the saints-great-martyrs could serve as Christian amulets for ancient Ukrainian warriors and be objects of veneration and adoration.
References
Arkheologiya Prikarapatya, Volini i Zakarpatya (kamennii vek) [Archeology of the Carpathian region, Volyn and Transcarpathia (Stone Age)], Kiiv, Naukova dumka, 1987, 129 s.
Bandrivskyi M. Svarozhi lyky (arkheolohichno–relihiieznavchi narysy z istorii Zakhidnoi Ukrainy) [Swarozh faces (archaeological and religious essays on the history of Western Ukraine)], Lviv, 1992, 102 s.
Bandrivskyi M., Yahodynska M. Metaleva sokyra z Krutylova bilia Husiatyna na Ternopilshchyni I problema yii interpretatsii [A metal ax from Krutylov near Husyatyn in Ternopil Oblast and the problem of its interpretation], in «Vzaiemozviazky kultur epokh bronzy i rannoho zaliza na terytorii Tsentralnoi ta Skhidnoi Yevropy — Interrelationships of cultures of the Bronze and Early Iron Ages in the territory of Central and Eastern Europe», Kyiv–Lviv, 2009, s. 198–201.
Beliaieva S.O., Kubyshev A.I. Poselennia Dniprovskoho Livoberezhzhia (X–XV st.) [Settlement of the Dnipro Left Bank (X–XV centuries)], Kyiv, Naukova dumka, 1985, 110 s.
Bulashev H. Ukrainskyi narod u svoikh lehendakh, relihiinykh pohliadakh ta viruvanniakh [Ukrainskyi narod u svoikh lehendakh, relihiinykh pohliadakh ta viruvanniakh], Kyiv, Dovira, 1993, 414 s.
Chernish A.P. Paleolit i mezolіt Pridnestrovya [Paleolithic and Mesolithic of Transnistria], Moskva, Nauka, 1973, 127 s.
Chernysh K.K. Rannotrypilske poselennia Lenkivtsi na Serednomu Dnistri [The early Trypil settlement of Lenkivtsi on the Middle Dniester], Kyiv, Vyd–vo AN URSR, 1959, 107 s.
Chubynskyi P. Mudrist vikiv: (Ukrainske narodoznavstvo u tvorchii spadshchyni Pavla Chubynskoho). Kn. 2. [The wisdom of the ages: (Ukrainian folklore in the creative heritage of Pavlo Chubynskyi). Book 2], Kyiv, Mystetstvo, 1995, 224 s.
Chumarna M. Trydeviate tsarstvo [Kingdom Far Away], Ternopil, Bohdan, 2007, 232 s.
Darkevich V.P. Topor kak simvol Peruna v drevnerusskom yazichestve [Ax as a symbol of Perun in Old Rus paganism], in «Sovetskaya arkheologiya», 1961, 4, s. 84–102.
Epokha bronzi lesnoi polosi SSSR [Bronze Age forest belt of the USSR], Moskva, Nauka, 1987, 482 s.
Gavritukhin I.O. Fibula iz Luki-Kavetchinskoj v kontekste slavyano-vizantijskih svyazej [Fibula from Luka–Kavetchinskaya in the context of Slavic–Byzantine connections], in «Słowianie i ich sąsiedzi w wczesnym średniowieczu — Slavs and their neighbors in the early Middle Ages», Warszawa–Lublin, Wydawnictwo uniwersytetu Marii Curie–Sklodowskiej, 2003, s. 197–206.
Gavritukhin I.O. Fibuli vizantiiskogo kruga v Vostochnoi Yevrope (litie dunaisko–illiriiskie) [Fibulae of the Byzantine circle in Eastern Europe (cast Danube–Illyrian)], in «Materiali po arkheologii, istorii i etnografii Tavrii, IX — Materials on archeology, history and ethnography of Tavria, IX», Simferopol, Antikva, 2002, s. 229–250.
Ivakin G., Chernetsov A. Unikalnii amulet iz Zlatoverkhogo [A unique amulet from the Golden Domed], in «Drevnii mir», 2 — Ancient world, 2», 2001, s. 36–38.
Ivakin G. Khristianskaya podveska–amulet iz Kieva [Christian pendant–amulet from Kyiv], in «Zhivaya starina, 1 — Living antiquity, 1», 2002, s. 9–11.
Kaindl R.F. Hutsuly [Hutsuls], Chernivtsi, Molodyi bukovynets, 2000, 228 s.
Klein L.S. Voskreshenie Peruna [Resurrection of Perun], Sankt–Peterburg, Yevraziya, 2004, 368 s.
Kovpanenko H.T. Sarmatskoe pohrebenye I v. n.e. na Yuzhnom Buhe [Sarmatian burial of the 1–st century on the Southern Bug], Kyiv, Naukova dumka, 1986, 150 s.
Krushelnytska L.I. Ivan Franko i arkheolohiia [Ivan Franko and archeology], in «Postati ukrainskoi arkheolohii. Materialy i doslidzhennia z arkheolohii Prykarpattia i Volyni, 7 — Figures of Ukrainian archaeology. Materials and research on the archeology of Prykarpattia and Volyn, 7», Lviv, 1998, s. 101–102.
Mansikka V.I. Religiya vostochnikh slavyan [Religion of the Eastern Slavs], Moskva, IMLI RAN, 2005, 368 s.
Măgureanu А. Fibulele turnate romano–bizantine, in «Materiale şi cercetări archaeologice, S. N.», 2008, IV, p. 99–155. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3406/mcarh.2008.888
Melyukova A.N. Pamyatniki skifskogo vremeni na Srednem Dnestre [Monuments of the scythian time on the Middle Dniester], in «Kratkie soobshcheniya Instituta istorii materialnoi kulturi, 51 — Brief reports of the Institute of the History of Material Culture, 51», Sankt-Peterburg, 1953, s. 55–67.
Mifologicheskii slovar [Mythological dictionary], Moskva, Sovetskaya entsiklopediya, 1990, 672 s.
Mitrea I. Comunitati satesti la est de Carpati in epoca migratiilor. Asezarea de la Davideni, din secolele V–VIII, Piatra–Neamz, Editura Constantin Matasa, 2001, 259 p.
Motsia O.P. Naselennia pivdenno–ruskykh zemel IX–XIII st. [The population of the South Rus lands of the 9-th–13-th centuries], Kyiv, Instytut arkheolohii Ukrainy NAN Ukrainy, 1993, 160 s.
Musin A.E. Milites Christi Drevnei Rusi. Voinskaya kultura ruskogo srednevekovya v kontekste religioznogo mentaliteta [Milites Christi of Ancient Rus’. Military culture of the Russian Middle Ages in the context of religious mentality], Sankt–Peterburg, Peterburgskoe Vostokovedenie, 2005, 362 s.
Mykhailyna L.P. Naselennia Verkhnoho Popruttia VIII–X st. [The population of Verkhnyi Popruttia of the 8-th–10-th centuries], Chernivtsi, Ruta, 1997, 144 s.
Mykhailyna L.P., Pyvovarov S.V., Ilkiv M.V. Bronzovi fibuly piznoho latenu–rannoho serednovichchia z Chornivskoho horodyshcha XIII st. [Bronze fibulae of the Late Late Late Middle Ages to the Early Middle Ages from the Chornivka hillfort of the 13-th century.], in «Yevropeiska arkheolohiia I tysiacholittia n.e. [European archeology of the 1-st millennium AD], Kyiv, IA NAN Ukrainy, 2017, s. 275–282.
Mykhailyna L.P., Voznyi I.P., Pyvovarov S.V. Doslidzhennia arkheolohichnykh pamiatok Pivnichnoi Bukovyny ekspedytsiieiu Chernivetskoho derzhuniversytetu [Research of archaeological monuments of Northern Bukovyna by the expedition of Chernivtsi State University], in «Arkheolohichni doslidzhennia v Ukraini 1991 r. — Archaeological research in Ukraine, 1991», Lutsk, Nadstyria,1991, s. 66–67.
Mytropolyt Ilarion. Dokhrystyianski viruvannia ukrainskoho narodu [Pre–Christian beliefs of the Ukrainian people], Kyiv, Oberehy,1992, 427 s.
Nesterovskii P.A. Bessarabskie rusini (istoriko–etnograficheskii ocherk) [Bessarabian rusyns (historical and ethnographic sketch)], Varshava, Saturn, 1905, 1778 s.
Nikitina G.F. Chernyakhovskaya kultura Podnestrovya. Po rezultatam analiza arkheologicheskikh istochnikov [Chernyakhov culture of the Dniester region. Based on the results of the analysis of archaeological sources], Moskva, TAUS, 2008, 448 s.
Nikitina G.F. Mogilnik u s. Oselivka Kelmenetskogo raiona Chernovitskoi obl. [Burial ground near the village Oselivka, Kelmenets district, Chernivtsi region], in «Mogilniki chernyakhovskoi kulturi — Burial grounds of the Chernyakhov culture», Moskva, Nauka, 1988, s. 5–97.
Obichai, poverya, kukhnya i napitki malorosiyan [Customs, beliefs, cuisine and drinks of Little Russians], Kiev, Chas, 1991, 171 s.
Ozheredov Yu.I. Sakralnie streli yuzhnikh selkupov [Sacred arrows of the southern Selkups], in «Priobe glazami arkheologov i etnografov — Priobye through the eyes of archaeologists and ethnographers», Tomsk, Izd–vo Tomskogo un–ta, 1999, s. 77–119.
Pyvovarov S., Fedorak V. Osnovy arkheolohii Bukovyny [Basics of archeology of Bukovyna], Chernivtsi, Misto, 2010, 156 s.
Pyvovarov S., Kalinichenko V. «Hromovi strily» z Chornivskoho horodyshcha XIII st. [«Arrows of thunder» from the Chornivka hillfort of the 13-th century], in «Arkheolohiia i davnia istoriia Ukrainy, Vyp. 43 (3) — Archeology and ancient history of Ukraine, Vyp. 43 (3)», Kyiv, IA NAN Ukrainy, s. 404–412.
Pyvovarov S.V. Doslidzhennia Chornivskoho horodyshcha pershoi polovyny XIII st. [Research of the Chornivka hillfort of the first half of the 13-th century], in «Arkheolohichni studii, 3 — Archaeological studies, 3», Chernivtsi, Nashi knyhy, 2008, s. 180–199.
Pyvovarov S.V. «Hromovi» strily v arkheolohichnykh starozhytnostiakh Bukovyny [«Thunder» arrows in the archaeological antiquities of Bukovyna], in «Materialy XI Podilskoi istoryko–kraieznavchoi konferentsii», Kamianets–Podilskyi, Oiium, 2004, s. 124–129.
Pyvovarov S.V., Ilkiv M.V. «Hromovi strily» u systemi yazychnytskykh i khrystyianskykh viruvan serednovichnoho naselennia Bukovyny [«Arrows of thunder» in the system of pagan and Christian beliefs of the medieval population of Bukovyna], in «Tserkva–nauka–suspilstvo: pytannia vzaiemodii. Na poshanu kyivskoho mytropolyta Yevheniia (Bolkhovitinova): Materialy XII Mizhnar. nauk. konf. (28–30 travnia 2014 r.)», Kyiv, Natsionalnyi Kyievo–Pecherskyi istoryko–kulturnyi zapovidnyk, 2014, s. 7–8.
Pyvovarov S.V., Ilkiv M.V., Kalinichenko V.A. Arkhaichni fibuly z Chornivskoho horodyshcha XIII st.: do pytannia interpretatsii [Archaic fibulae from the 13-th-century Chornivka hillfort: to the question of interpretation], in «Tserkva–nauka–suspilstvo: pytannia vzaiemodii», Kyiv, Natsionalnyi Kyievo–Pecherskyi istoryko–kulturnyi zapovidnyk, 2017, s. 220–222.
Pyvovarov S.V., Kalinichenko V.A., Ilkiv M.V. Vizantiiski ta uhorski monety z Chornivskoho horodyshcha [Byzantine and Hungarian coins from the Chornivka hillfort], in «Visnyk Instytutu arkheolohii, 11 — Bulletin of the Institute of Archaeology, 11», Lviv, LNU im. I. Franka, 2016, s. 198–213.
Pyvovarov S.V. Khrystyianski starozhytnosti v mezhyrichchi Verkhnoho Prutu ta Serednoho Dnistra [Christian antiquities in the confluence of the Upper Prut and Middle Dniester rivers], Chernivtsi, Zelena Bukovyna, 2001, 270 s.
Pyvovarov S.V. Serednovichne naselennia mezhyrichchia Verkhnoho Prutu ta Serednoho Dnistra (XI–persha polovyna XIII st.) [Medieval population of the confluence of the Upper Prut and Middle Dniester (XI–first half of XIII centuries)], Chernivtsi, Zelena Bukovyna, 2006, 300 s.
Sedova M.V. Amulet iz drevnego Novgoroda [Amulet from ancient Novgorod], in «Sovetskaya arkheologiya, 4 —Soviet archeology, 4», Moskva, Nauka, 1957, s. 166–167.
Semenov V.A., Bagin A.L. Arkheologo–etnograficheskie paralleli nekotorikh artefaktov na srednevekovikh svyatilishchakh yevropeiskogo severo–vostoka [Archaeological and ethnographic parallels of some artifacts at medieval sanctuaries of the European northeast.], in «Svyatilishcha: arkheologiya rituala i voprosi semantiki», Sankt–Peterburg, Izd–vo S. –Peterburgskogo un–ta, 2000, s. 128–130.
Smirnov K.A. Novie dannie o pochitanii topora drevnimi slavyanami [New data on the veneration of the ax by the ancient Slavs], in «Sovetskaya arkheologiya, 3 — Soviet archeology, 3», Moskva, Nauka, 1977, s. 289–290.
Starodavnie naselennia Prykarpattia i Volyni (doba pervisnoobshchynnoho ladu) [The ancient population of Prykarpattia and Volhynia (the era of the primitive communal system)], Kyiv, Naukova dumka, 1974, 286 s.
Stepanchuk V.N. Nizhnii i srednii paleolit Ukraini [Lower and Middle Paleolithic of Ukraine], Chernovtsi, Zelena Bukovina, 2006, 463 s.
Stepi yevropeiskoi chasti SSSR v skifo–sarmatskoe vremya [Steppes of the European part of the USSR in Scythian–Sarmatian times], Moskva, Nauka, 1989, 472 s.
Svieshnykov I.K. Istoriia naselennia Peredkarpattia, Podillia i Volyni v kintsi III–na pochatku II tys. do nashoi ery [History of the population of Precarpathia, Podillia and Volhynia in the late 3-rd–early 2-nd millennium BC], Kyiv, Naukova dumka, 1974, 205 s.
Tserkovno–narodnii mesyatseslov I.P. Kalinskogo [Church and folk month book I.P. Kalinsky], Moskva,
Khudozhestvennaya literature, 1990, 216 s.
Tsimidanov V.V. Obryadovoe ispolzovanie strel v kulturakh epokhi pozdnei bronzi yuga Vostochnoi Yevropi [Ritual use of arrows in the Late Bronze Age cultures of southern Eastern Europe], in «Materiali po arkheologii Severnogo Prichernomorya», 2015, 13, s. 27–53.
Tymoshchuk B.O. Chernivetska oblast. Dovidnyk z arkheolohii Ukrainy: Khmelnytska, Chernivetska, Zakarpatska oblasti [Chernivtsi region. Handbook of archeology of Ukraine: Khmelnytskyi, Chernivtsi, Transcarpathian regions], Kyiv, Naukova dumka, 1984, 222 s.
Tymoshchuk B.O. Davnoruska Bukovyna (X–persha polovyna XIV st.) [Ancient Rus Bukovyna (10-th–first half of the 14-th century)], Kyiv, Naukova dumka, 1982, 207 s.
Tymoshchuk B.O. Zustrich z lehendoiu [A meeting with a legend], Uzhhorod, Karpaty, 1974, 128 s.
Veselichiћ M. Јedna fibula s lokaliteta Sokolitsa u Ostri kod Chachka (u okviru priloga prouchavaњa fibula sa posuvraћenom stopom i pseudonavoјimana lokalitetima u Crbiјi), in «Zbornik Radova narodnogo muzeјa», Chachak, 2009, s. 33–56.
Voropai O. Zvychai nashoho narodu, T. II. [Customs of our people, T. II], Kyiv, Oberih, 1991, 290 s.
Voznyi I.P. Chornivska feodalna ukriplena sadyba ХII–ХIII st. [Chornivka feudal fortified manor of the 12-th–13-th centuries], Chernivtsi, Ruta, 1998, 154 s.
Yahodynska M.O. Arkheolohichni pamiatky Ternopilshchyny. Davnoruski pamiatky Zakhidnoho Podillia u X–XIII stolittiakh [Archaeological sights of Ternopil region. Ancient Russian monuments of Western Podillia in the X–XIII centuries], Ternopil, Terno–hraf, 2018, 288 s.
Zabelin I.E. Istoriya russkoi zhizni s drevneishikh vremen. Ch. ІІ. [History of Russian life from ancient times. Part II], Moskva, Nauka, 1879, 654 s.
Zabelin I.E. Russkii narod, yego obichai, obryadi, predaniya, sueveriya i poeziya [Russian people, their customs, rituals, legends, superstitions and poetry], Moskva, Kniga Printshop, 1990, 607 s.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
