Building structures of nearby ‘suburbs’ of Dykyi Sad fortified settlement

Abstract

The purpose of the research paper is to elucidate the distinctive characteristics of the location, layout, and internal composition of the remains of building structures in the territory of the fortified settlement Dykyi Sad nearby ‘Suburbs’. The scientific novelty is in the comprehensive coverage of the principle of location and constructional features of the nearby ‘Suburbs’ structures, the uncovering of their nature and functional purpose in the system of the entire fortified settlement, the localization of characteristic material objects found in the filling of structures and multi-functional pits, and the determination of the basic principles of the building skills of the population of the region at the post-Sabatynivka – early Bilozerka culture time (13/12 – 12/11 centuries BCE). Conclusions. It has been found out that within the nearby ‘Suburbs’ of the fortified settlement Dykyi Sad, partially subterranean and on-land wattle and daub structures prevail. The fully subterranean structures are the least numerous. On-land structures with the remains of stone foundations have not yet been recorded. Some structures exhibit traces of reconstruction, indicating the dwelling duration in these building structures or an earlier period of their construction. Among the mentioned building structures, six are residential, one is mixed residential and utility-ritual, and three are utility or mixed utility-ritual; all of them differ in area, depth, and complexity of material objects. The utility site had no building remains and could be used by the settlement’s inhabitants as an open area for keeping cattle or horses. Constructionally, the nearby ‘Suburbs’ building structures constituted a unified system of buildings that repeated the outer bend of the ‘Citadel’ moat. The structures are concentrated in certain groups, in which they practically adjoin each other. The first group is formed in the southern part, the second – in the central part, and the third – in the northern part. All the nearby ‘Suburbs’ building structures align with the North-Western Black Sea region sites at the beginning of the Final Bronze Age. At the same time, the way of the buildings’ layout, taking into account the defensive building structures around the ‘Citadel,’ also indicates the traditions that are characteristic of the eastern area of the Bronze Age cultures.