Topography оf 16th–17th Century necropolises in the Middle Styr Region

Abstract

The article examines early modern necropolises in the microregion of the middle Styr River basin, emphasizing their value as archaeological and historical sources for reconstructing social structures, religious affiliations, and cultural practices of the sixteenth to eighteenth century communities in Volhynia. Although burials of this period are widespread, they have rarely been subjected to focused archaeological study, with discoveries typically occurring as part of investigations of fortified sites or religious complexes. The authors aim to identify spatial patterns in cemetery placement and assess the current research landscape to facilitate future landscape reconstructions and more targeted searches for burial sites.

The analysis synthesizes data from several excavated necropolises. Rural cemeteries, such as those at Horodyshche Druhe and Buyany, were commonly situated on elevated promontories above river floodplains and at some distance from contemporary settlements. These burial grounds predominantly feature extended inhumations oriented westward, often accompanied by coins and modest grave goods. The Rovantsi site is notable for its large size and density of human remains, suggesting a cemetery serving not only the local population but possibly residents of nearby Lutsk, particularly lower social strata. Individual isolated burials, such as in Lavriv, demonstrate that not all funerary practices conformed to established burial grounds.

Urban contexts present a different picture. Within Lutsk, crypt burials beneath churches and monastic buildings dominate, including those associated with the Order of Saint Basil the Great, Jesuit and Dominican monasteries, and parish churches. These structures reflect elite funerary traditions shaped by religious and spatial organization of the early modern city. The discovery of brick-built empty tombs at Zhydychyn likely linked to a short-lived women’s monastery underscores the diversity of burial customs and the complexity of interpreting incomplete archaeological evidence.

Overall, the study highlights strong correlations between burial placement and settlement hierarchy, while revealing the fragmentary state of research. The authors argue that many rural necropolises remain undiscovered, especially those once surrounding wooden churches. Their findings form a foundation for future archaeological surveys, improving understanding of cultural landscapes and mortuary traditions in early modern Volhynia.