Czechoslovakian period of archaeology of Transcarpathia

The paper is devoted to the results of studies of ancient history on the territory of contemporary Transcarpathian province of Ukraine during the period of it being a part of Czechoslovakia (1919–1939). It was an important stage of establishment of Transcarpathian archaeological science which began its development in the middle of the 19th century from simple collecting of antiquities. In 1929 a county museum was opened in Mukachevo which became an important centre of collection, systematization, and museumification of local artifacts. During that period the ancient history of the region was studied by Czechoslovak archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology of Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences. Among them, one should name J. Bem, J. Skutil, and J. Eisner. They carried out excavations of archaeological artifacts of the region from different epochs: Paleolithic, Neolithic, Copper and Bronze Ages, Early Iron Age. Due to the efforts of J. Bem collection of Transcarpathian antiquities was systematized, chronology and cultural attribution of numerous material findings were determined. He participated in the excavations at Neolithic and Eneolithic settlements in Nevetlenfolu (Vynohradiv district) and Diyda (Berehovo district) as well as Mala Hora in Mukachevo. Results of the studies enable one to conclude that in the Neolithic epoch this territory was within the area where the culture of linear band pottery was spread. Bearers of this culture practised mattock arable farming, cattle breeding, worshipped the foremother woman. The Stone Age artifacts on the territory of the region were studied by J. Skutil. In the neighbourhood of Berehovo (Mala Hora) and Mukachevo (Kamyanka and Halish hills), he examined a number of Paleolithic locations where he collected several dozens of chalcedony and quartzite objects. They are attributed to the middle and late Paleolithic Age.Local antiquities were also studied by local amateur archaeologists, J. Jankovich, Zatloukal brothers, P. Sova. Having acquired necessary knowledge and recommendations from the Czechoslovak researchers for field studies and documentation of the materials found, they joined the studies of artifacts of an extensive time span – from the Stone Age till Early Mediaeval period. J. Jankovich with the participation of J. Bem performed excavations at a burial mound of the early Iron Age in the village of Kushtanovytsia (Mukachevo district). Two ways of the location of cremation remnants in urns under the mound were documented: at the old level and below it. In 1931 he began the investigation of Slavic mound necropolis in Cherveniovo (Mukachevo district). The excavations revealed cremation burial sites with remnants positioned in urns at the old level or gathered in clusters.The Zatloukal brothers carried out excavations of a ground cremation necropolis in Stanovo (Mukachevo district). The remnants were buried in shallow pits without any external signs and were accompanied by two-three bowls filled with food or favourite things of the decedent. In literature, they are referred to as the Northern-Tysa urn burials of the Late Bronze Age.Key words: settlement, Transcarpathia, burial tomb, Czechoslovakian period.