Summer program offers participation in Kamianets-Podilskyi archeological dig (04/26/98)

Summer program offers participation in Kamianets-Podilskyi archeological dig

by Adrian Mandzy

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - So what are you doing this summer? The same old thing? Or do you want to do something different and new? Maybe do some traveling, meet new people?

During the summer of 1998, 12 students will have the opportunity to go on an archaeological dig in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine. Once one of the most important Late Medieval and Renaissance citadels in Eastern Europe, today it is a small city of about 100,000.

As a student volunteer, you will find archaeological features, discover parts of long-lost buildings, dig up hidden artifacts, make maps and process the finds from which the past will spring to life. Most importantly, while experiencing the past you will have the unique opportunity of living in Ukraine - not as a tourist, but as part of something greater.

If you ever wanted to find out what it is like to be an archaeologist, here is your chance. Space is limited, so hurry and act now.

The program is set for seven weeks and will run from June 29 to August 14 .

Since 1991, archaeological excavations have been carried out by the Kamianets-Podilskyi Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to the study and preservation of the Old City's cultural heritage. These excavations are part of an ongoing comprehensive reconstruction program in the city's historical core and are sponsored in cooperation with St. John Fisher College (Rochester, N.Y.), the University of Alberta (Edmonton), the Lviv Institute of Social Sciences, the Lviv Institute of Restoration, and the Kamianets-Podilskyi Historical-Architectural Preserve.

The last seven years of excavation by this team of which this writer is a member, have uncovered a valuable portrait of a forgotten world. In the first years of excavations, our focus was the city's many religious institutions. Archaeological excavations were conduted at the Dominican convent, which was undergoing restoration. During this time limited excavations were conducted also at the Armenian Church of St. Nicholas and the Ukrainian gate.

In the years that followed, the team undertook a very extensive excavation of the Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, which was destroyed in 1930. In three years of excavations, we were able not only to expose the remains of the stone church, which we believe to have been built in the 17th century, but also uncovered the remains of a much earlier wooden church. While the analysis of these materials is ongoing, it has been suggested that this church could have been built as early as the 12th century.

Perhaps the most important discovery to date was the recovery of a 17th century bronze burial icon, which was almost miraculously preserved.

Ukraine's cities have always been multicultural, and were dominated by Armenians, Germans, Jews and Poles. In Lviv, for example, the Ukrainian population was very small, and those who lived within the city walls were restricted to Ruska street. Economically, most urban Ukrainians were relatively poor, and for most, few legal privileges existed.

It appears that Kamianets-Podilskyi was the exception to this rule. Ukrainians in this city were merchants, goldsmiths and furriers - among the most elite of professions - and established their own separate legal and administrative system. As late as 1672, Ukrainian churches predominated within this city, and Ukrainian merchants lived in its most prestigious districts.

Last summer, excavations were carried on in the backyard and garden of a large merchant's house that overlooked the Central Square. In the course of our work, we discovered stone flooring, as well as the remains of a carriage house. Preliminary analysis of the recovered ceramic, glass and bone fragments indicates that the people who lived in this building had access to an uncommonly wide array of materials. Not only are we finding the remains of glass vessels from nearby Bohemia, but also soup bowls from Holland and even tea cups from China.

These finds are significant since they give us a glimpse into past trading routes and give an idea of the status of the family that occupied the dwelling.

This summer's excavations are a continuation of the work begun last year. Beginning at the end of June, we plan to contine research into the Central Square. Little is known as to the date of its founding, and some have even suggested that it was originally laid out by the Romans in the third century. While this claim has not been substantiated, it is hoped that the next two years of excavations will help answer this question.

Applicants of all backgrounds, age 18 and older are invited. Applicants need not be fluent in Ukrainian, but must be in good health and able to do physical labor in a hot, sunny climate. A sense of humor and a spirit of adventure are a must. No previous archaeological experience is needed, but volunteers with previous archaeological experience are readily accepted.

For more information about Kamianets-Podilskyi, visit our site on the Internet: http://www.frontiernet .net/~amandzy.

For further information and application forms, contact: Adrian Mandzy, Kamianets-Podilskyi Foundation, 2033 Westfall Road, Rochester, NY 14618, (716) 442 - 1597, Amandzy@aol.com; or Shannon L. Nachajko, (716) 742-3907, shannon_nachajko@rmsc.org.