Press-release
Opening – December 28, 2010, at 1 a.m.
In the building of Lviv Historical Museum
Rynok square, 6
Exhibition “Plisnesko – 200years of researches”
Plisnesko hillford is unique monument of early middle age in Ukraine, which is researched for 200 years. During that time on its territory and outskirts were lead large searching works, like in 19th and 20th c. It is situated near the hamlet of the same name Plisnesko (Pidhirtsi village, Brody district), where retained remains of Slavic hillford and past Ukrainian town, which was mentioned twice in chronicles in 1188 and 1232 years (Plsnsk, Plesensk, Presensk) and in “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign”. There are a lot of legends, connected with history of ancient Plisnesko, one of them told about princess Olena, who set up a monastery in that town. Now on the territory of a hillford functions a monastery which until recently retained double name “Pidhirtsi, old named Plisnesko Monastery”, and one of the smallest in area fortification part is still called “Olena’s park”
First scientific researches in Plisnesko started in early 80s of 20th c, when it was researched by polish archeologist T. Zemensky. He made a plan of hillford with grave digger, had done sondaging of “main part of the town” and during three field searches dig up more than sixty five barrows. Except small messages in ZWAK, materials in full amount were not put in scientific circulation, and substantial materials were left in museums and private collections of Lviv and Krakow. There were spared just single godsends, which are saved in funds of Krakow Archeological Museum. At the beginning of 20th c. insignificant works were held by K. Hadachek. But nevertheless any information about his works is now unknown.
Systematic and qualified diggings, which were basic for appearance in scientific literature of first generalization of the character, range of the function and meaning of archeological complex near Pidhirtsi, without doubts are connected with Ivan Starchuk. During field seasons (1946 – 1949 y.) he managed to dig out a big area in more than 2 thousands square meters. During the researches were discovered 28 semi – subterranean dwellings, 20 pise ovens of surface dwellings, 96 ground inhumation burial, 5 barrows, thousands godsends, that are, unfortunately, scattered in different museums and scientific institutions of Ukraine and neighboring countries. In 50s – 80s years of 20th c. interest to monument wasn’t abated. Here worked a lot of specialists, who left after them noticeable traces.
In connection with big significance of the monument, in 1965 by resolution of Ukrainian SSR Council of Ministers, hillford was taken under the State protection. Its territory was excluded from land circulation and leaded away as hayfield.
Starting from 1990 by study of actual early Middle Ages problems on the base Plisnesko hillford was engaged archeological expedition of Ivan Krypiakovych Ukrainian Study Institution of National Ukrainian Academy, and afterwards Archeological Institution of Ivan Franko Lviv National University led by M. A. Fylypchuk. During this time was done sizable amount, and firstly re-cultivation in different parts of hillford, as separate researchers and treasure seekers didn’t fill up the digging. Received results helped us to separate two periods of development of this monument: Slavic (8th – 10th c.) and past Ukrainian (11th – 13th c.). During first period, hillford had polis structure that is “city – state” and during the second – castle structure. Fortified area in Slavic period set more than 300 hectares, while in past Ukrainian only 3 hectare. Existence of polis shoves that local population created State structures before the campaign of Volodymyr Velykiy (Vladimir the Great) to this land in 992 – 993 y.
At exhibition are shown materials from diggings of Y. Pasternak (1940), I. Starchuk (1940, 1946 – 1949), R. Bagriy (1970 – 1972, 1986 – 1989), M. Fylypchuk (1990 – 2010), which are preserved in funds of Lviv Historical Museum of Ivan Franko Lviv National University. First of all – it is cultural and household items, jewellery, remains of weapons etc.
Hope, exhibition will touch hearts of our visitors, and they feel breathe of the ancient times.
