A Nyíregyházi Jósa András Múzeum évkönyve 37-38. - 1995-1996 (Nyíregyháza, 1997)

Régészet - Ivan Popovich: Periodization and chronology of Kushtanovica type sites in the Transcarpathian region

Ivan Popovich of the acinaces type. The closest analogy to these finds comes from Noszoly/Nasal in Transylvania (FETTICH 1928.25.). This type of swords and daggers rarely encountered in Scythian territoiy. Within A.I.Meliukova's classification it belongs to class 1, type 5 (MELIUKOVA 1964.30.). I.

Fodor found analogies for such swords and daggers at only seven sites (FODOR 1969.67-71.). There is only one example of a sword with a segmented crossbar and prism shaped top from the Ukraine, in the area on the right bank of the Dnieper (PETRENKO 1967.173Tab.33,5.). However, the main morphologic features of the dagger from Ardanovo are closer to the piece from Transylvania and differ significantly from Scythian daggers. A thorough analysis of the shape of the crossbar on the dagger from Ardanovo makes it possible to suggest its connection with Greek swords - the xythos used by the soldiers of the Antique world in the 6th - 3rd centuries B.C. (CHERNENKO 1977.124.). A close form of the handle of the sword or dagger from Ardanovo, especially the crossbar, is depicted on a gravestone from Chersonessos (6th - 3rd centuries B.C.) (ANTICHNYE 1984.319.Tab

. CXXVIII.3.). According to the well received opinion of E.V.Chernenko, in the North Pontic region the Greek xythos spread mainly in the 6th - 3rd centuries B.C. (CHERNENKO 1977.124125.). Dealing with the distinctive features of the dagger from Ardanovo we should take into consideration not only its morphological elements. Researchers point out that Scythian swords and daggers have a fit-on crossbar and a soldered top (PETRENKO 1967.42.). The top of the sword from Ardanovo is attached to the handle with a rivet similarly to other swords found in Central Europe. It is reasonable to think that the prototypes of the sword írom Ardanovo must be sought not within the circle of Scythian acinaces, as it is usually thought, but among xythos type Greek swords. Barrow 1 near Nevickoie/Nevicke village dates to the end of the 6th - middle of the 5th centuries B.C. (POPOVICH 1985.50-62.). It belonged to a group consisting of 4 earth barrows, situated on the northeastern outskirts of Nevickoie village, on the right bank of the Uzh river. At the beginning of the 1970's, barrow 1 was 2 m high and the diameter of its base 20 m. In 1971, an assistant professor at the Uzhgorod State University, E.A.Balahuri, made an attempt to investigate it. The earth of the barrow was removed by a bulldozer. No stratigraphic observations were documented, so valuable information was lost, especially in the case of collective cremations under the barrow, as the site later proved to be. The upper level of the burial surface had been disturbed by the systematic ploughing of the field where the barrows were situated. In the spring of 1978, the author of this article examined the site. In the place of the demolished barrow, the remains of which were then barely 60 cm above the modern surface, we succeeded in documenting the precise location of ceramic fragments and remains of a dipper with a double-ended handle. In the summer of the same year, the Transcarpathian Rescue Works Expedition of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences carried out post-excavation research on the partly destroyed site. 84 Graves were found in the south-eastern part of the barrow, they were situated on an area of 4.6 m

2 and formed two independent groups (Pi. X). The first group was situated 2.1 m in a southeastern direction from the conditional centre and consisted of 7 urns, most of which were located on the level of the burial surface. The second group of burials lay close to the first one and consisted of 9 urns. Lying within a contemporary horizon and 8 m south of the conditional centre, there was a pile of calcinated bones as well as iron bits with one cheek-piece - this should be considered a single burial (Fig. 2-4). Fig. 2 Nevickoie. View of the excavation of the barrow 2. ké£. Nevickoje/Nevicke. A kurgán ásatása Fig. 3 Nevickoie. View of the situation of the urns 3. kép Nevickoje/Nevicke. Az urnák elhelyezkedése A Jósa András Múzeum Évkönyve 1997