MEDIEVAL CEMETERY IN THE MNYS’KYI SAD PLACE ON THE OUTSKIRT OF ANCIENT HALYCH: UNPUBLISHED RESEARCH MATERIALS OF 1982, 1984, 1988–1989

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the study of the medieval Christian cemetery which located on the northern outskirts of ancient Halych. A brief description of the area is made; the history of its research is characterized since the end of the 19th century. The main focus is on unpublished excavation materials of the Galician detachment of the architectural-archaeological expedition of the Leningrad branch of the Institute of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR and the State Hermitage carried out in 1982, 1984, 1988–1989 under the leadership of Oleg Ioannisyan on the territory of Mnys’kyi Sad Place, now Zalukva village of Ivano-Frankivsk region. Report documentation has been processed. Analysis, verification and correlation of the data displayed in it were carried out. The exploratory nature of the conducted studies was noted, which covered an area of about one hectare. However, despite attempts, the foundations of the sacred building were not found.

As a result, 16 pre– and post-Mongol burials were discovered in various parts of the place. Three of them were covered with white stone paving over the entire area of the burial pits and had a clear rectangular shape. Most likely, the processed white stone quadros, used as burial tombstones, were previously a component of one of the monumental structures located on the outskirts. Above two other burials, only partially preserved stone slabs were recorded. All burials belonged to adults, the gender of which was not determined. Without grave goods. Only in one case was noted the presence of funeral robes – preserved fragments of gold-woven textiles. In eight cases, the orientation of the deceased is northwest, in six – west, and in one – east. Only in seven burials was it possible to determine the position of both hands: in six they are placed on the stomach, in one the right hand is on the stomach, and the left hand is on the pelvis. In the southwestern (highest) part of the tract, a pre-Mongol settlement is located, which after its decline was absorbed into the necropolis.