Chernyakhov culture is an archaeological culture that existed on the territory of Ukraine (including Crimea), Moldova and Romania in the 20th-20th centuries. This culture was discovered by Vikenty Khvoika at the beginning of the 20th century. It received its name in honor of the burial ground in the village of Chernyakhov, Kagarlytsky district, Kyiv region. Studied for a century.
Map of Chernyakhov settlements on the territory of Ukraine
The Chernyakhs were a completely peaceful people, they were engaged in cattle breeding, pottery, and made jewelry… The Chernyakhov culture dates back to the Iron Age, since tools were made from iron (knives, axes, utensils). Chernyakhs made a lot of jewelry: brooches, hairpins, pendants, rings, horse meat, pendants, amulets. Jewelry was made from metals such as bronze, silver, and less commonly gold. Among the coins in Chernyakhov were Roman denarii, which came to them from soldiers or through trade.
The denarius was introduced into circulation during the monetary reform in the 3rd century BC. Its weight was approximately 4.5 grams; by the middle of the 3rd century, denarii began to weigh approximately 3 grams. Later, the denarius became a ligature coin with an admixture of copper, and by the end of the 3rd century it completely turned into a bronze coin, and over time disappeared from circulation.
The decline of the Chernyakhov culture began in 375 AD, when the nomadic Huns attacked South-Eastern and later Western Europe, and walked through it, destroying everything in their path. In the first half of the fifth century, the last Chernyakhov settlements ceased to exist, and the Goths and Huns gradually moved to the West, leaving the territories of South-Eastern Europe.
Chernyakhs settled on the terraces above the sea, on the southern or south-eastern slopes, in close proximity to the water source. The fertility of the soil and the illumination of the slopes were important to them, so that livestock and crops would be in favorable conditions. The Chernyakhs burned the dead; their burial grounds were located not far from the settlements, on the arcing side of the ravine, or simply downstream of the river.
An example of a settlement of the Chernyakhov culture on the ground
What to look for in the area? Among the Chernyakhs, ceramics were predominantly pottery, it prevailed over molded ones, the color was blackish-ashy, sometimes closer to blue. It is also worth paying attention to the spots that will be on the field; these, apparently, were once constructions.
Please note that the search and (or) removal of archaeological objects from their locations is a criminal offense. Therefore, if traces of a cultural layer are discovered, it is necessary to report the find to the regional authority for the protection of cultural heritage sites.
This article does not serve the purpose of promoting criminal activity and contains purely entertainment information.
Pieces of ceramics from the Chernyakhov culture
Ceramics of the Chernyakhov culture