New architectural monument of Middle Age found near Zhornivka village on Irpin river (Ruslan Orlov’s research in 1991–1992)

Abstract

In 1991–1992 in expedition led by R. Orlov the excavations of a multilayer site was carried out. It was located in Kyjevo-Svjatoshyn district of Kyiv region at 1,6 km from eastern part of Zhornivka village in a direction on South-East. The objects of Zarubynetska culture, the household pits and a Middle Age dwelling, the remains of the foundation of stone cult building, remains of brick sarcophagus near this building, burials on church cemetery dated by Middle Age and Modern Age times were discovered on the site place. In December 2017, during revision of materials at the workplace of R. Orlov in Department of ancient and medieval archeology, A. Borisov found three drawings, made on tracing paper: general plan of the site in Church Place, combined plan of excavation conducted in 1991–1992 and plan of the apse of cult building. It also contained some artifacts, probably selected from the general collection for the creation of illustrations, and in a separate package – anthropological materials from several graves of the medieval cemetery. Single-apse church of the moderate size was constructed using the bar bricks with grooves on its surface. By its features, this brick is very close to the material of the repairs and alterations which were made to certain Kievan churches constructed during the Premongol period. One of the burials cut into the ruins included the types of the ornaments which are limiting the date of destruction of the church to the 13th century. In the course of the excavations, the architectural type of the church was defined as the one without internal buttresses. However the revision of the field records gives the ground for possible remodelling of the cross-in-square church with 4 pillars. The results of these investigations were not published by the author for unknown reasons. In spring of 2019, complex of sites near Zhornivka village was re-examined. In an area of about 5,4 hectares numerous ceramic materials of XVII–XVIII centuries were recorded. They indicate existence here of large settlement in Late Middle Ages, which probably occupied the whole territory of cape-like outlier, bounded from north and south by deep ravines. In 2019 on September, 30 could be a 70th anniversary of Ruslan Orlov. The publishing of the investigation results of 1991–1992 is a best way for honoring memory of researcher on our opinion. Key words: Zhornivka village, Irpin river, multilayer site, hilltop fortified settlement, Zarubynetska culture, Old Rus time, Middle Age, church, cemetery, monastery.