Regional Introduction: Neolithic of Ukraine. Report on Activities in Kyiv 2016-2017

The project was focused on the enhancement of scientific infrastructure and training of students and professionals dealing with prehistoric archaeology, especially the Neolithic and the settlements near lakes, rivers and marshes.  Neolithic and Bronze Age wetland sites around the Alps (so called pile-dwellings,  Pfahlbauten or palafittes in German/French) are of outstanding universal value (UNESCO-world heritage since 2011). Typical sites are located in  lakes, rivers and bogs, dating between 5300 and 800 BC. Of common character is the perfect conservation of wood, textiles from  plant fabrics and many other organic materials. Larger quantities of sub-fos­silized wood, as in the peri-alpine sites, offer the possibility of high-precision dating by dendro­chronology. Research in these wetland sites started in the mid-19th century. Through large scale rescue excavations since the 1970s and the evolution of underwater archaeology in the same period, Swiss archaeologists accumulated a thorough experience with these specific sites. Research  in wetland sites is shared between cantonal institutions and universities and led to a world wide unique accumulation of knowledge. Comparable sites exist outside of the Alpine area,  but in much smaller quantities.

The general aims of the IP were to build up a scientific network in  Neolithic and wetland archaeology and the transfer of knowledge from Switzerland, as one of the worldwide leading countries in this field, to the participating Eastern European (EE) countries.  Further aims were to concen­trate on an improvement of archaeological field techniques (mainly underwater archaeology/documentation under water/diving security) and dating methods.

In order to achieve these goals, joint activities, such as workshops, seminars,  public lectures, field trips, diving courses and study weeks, were organi­sed in the individual countries within framework of the NEENAWA project.