Ukraine: Investigations on the Chronology of the Chernyakhov culture

Oval faceted pottery

Oval faceted pottery as chronological indicator for the Chernyakhov-Sîntana de Mureş culture (2004-2007)

Location

Fig. 1. Distribution area of the Chernyakhov-Sîntana de Mureş culture

The Chernyakhov-Sîntana de Mureş culture spans the time from the end of the 3rd to the beginning of the 5th century AD and covers a large area in eastern Europe. More than 2000 sites ascribed to the culture are known in the modern republic of the Ukraine, Moldova and Romania. Vessels characterised by a decoration with oval facets have been found in individual graves or settlement sites within the entire distribution area of this culture.

Objectives

	Fig. 2. Jugs with oval facets

The question posed here is whether or not and to what extent pottery decorated with oval facets in eastern Europe can be seen as a chronological indicator, that is, for dating find complexes. This line of inquiry is being followed in a joint German-Ukrainian project and is based upon closed find complexes. Thereby, graves containing oval-faceted pottery and well dated by means of fibulae, buckles and other imported goods are foremost in view. Basing on these the project aims to determine the time during which this decoration appeared.  

History of Research

	Fig. 3. Pottery of period 4/5 of the Chernyakhov-Sîntana de Mureş culture

Pottery of the Chernyakhov culture, specifically table ware, displays manifold decoration. Rows of oval facets were applied around the widest part of the bowls and jugs, creating a distinguishing feature. Pottery decorated as such appears in the entire distribution area of the culture, yet not in all burial grounds. This appearance seems far more connected with a later horizon within the time of Chernyakhov settlement, extending up to the beginning of the 5th century AD. Chronological studies as well as works by Kazanski/Legoux and Gej/Bazan show that oval facets appear in one of the last phases of the culture. Furthermore, oval facets also find widespread use as a decorative element on hand-made pottery during the later Roman Iron Age and early Migration period in Central Europe. These finds were studied by T. Springer, who dates their appearance to the time span from 400 to c. 560 AD. 

Previous Activities

	Fig. 4. Inventory of grave 8 at Furmanovka

Starting in the fall of 2004 material was compiled from publications, in particular from the Ukraine, Romania and Moldava. An effort was made to present finds found in the Ukraine, especially published burial complexes, in the form of new drawings or photographs. In addition, more recent, dispersed grave finds or those published only in part were compiled and presented anew. Several museums and collections were visited, some several times, and a joint evaluation of the material was undertaken.  

Results

	Bowls from the cemetery at Chernyakhov

The evaluated grave complexes that are completed by fall 2006 will be published in the German and Ukrainian languages. In view of the wide distribution of oval faceted pottery, investigations on the dating of the Chernjakhov culture will also consider its interpretation as trend and expression of cultural relations in Late Roman times.  

Cooperation

Cooperative partners in the project are Bogdan Strotsen', Dočernee predprijatie "Podoľskaja archeologija" gosudarstvennovo pretprijatija "Naučno-issledovateľskij centr ochrannaja archeologičeskaja sluzba Ukrainy" Instituta archeologii NAN Ukrainy, buľv. Brodiv's'ka 44, 4620 Ternopiľ. 

Contact

Dr. phil. Erdmute Schultze

Vor- und Frühgeschichte
Telefon: 01888-7711-330
Telefax: 01888-7711-313
Email: ers@dainst.de

Bibliography

О. А. Gej, Proischozdenie i etničeskij sostav. In: I. P. Rusanova/E. A. Symonovič (Hrsg.), Slavine i ich sosedi v konce Itys. do n. e.-pervoj polovine I tys. n. e. Archeologia SSSR (Moskva 1993) 162-170.

О. А. Gej/I. A. Bazan, Chronologija epochi "gotskich pochodov" (na teritorii Vostočnoj Evropy i Kavkaza) (Moskva 1997).

M. Kazanski/R. Legoux, Contribution à l´ étude des témoignages archéologiques des goths en Europe orientale à l´ époque des Grandes Migrations. La chronologie de la culture de Černjahov récente. Archéologie Médiévale 18, 1988, 7-53.

T. Springer, Das Gräberfeld von Friedenhain. Untersuchungen zu elbgermanischer Keramik des 3. bis 6. Jahrhunderts. Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt 15, 1985, 235-243.

E. A. Symonovič, Pridunajskij mogil´nik Furmanovka. In: А. V. Kropotkin (Hrsg.), Моgil´niki černjachvskoj kul´tury (Моskva 1988) 143-163.