Trypillia megasites from the 4th millennium BCE in the Ukrainian forest steppe. Can a single site tell us something about early urbanism?
The Balkan Heritage Foundation and the Department of Archaeology at New Bulgarian University organized the first of the BEMA Online Seminars in Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology on Saturday, February 6, 2021. Guest lecturer Dr. Bisserka Gaydarska (Durham University and New Bulgarian University) gave a talk on the topic “Trypillia megasites from the 4th millennium BCE in the Ukrainian forest steppe. Can a single site tell us something about early urbanism?”
Abstract: The Trypillia megasites in the North Black Sea forest steppes of Ukraine and Moldova are the largest known settlements in 4th millennium BCE Europe and possibly in the world. A better understanding of the origin and functions of these massive agglomerations implies the reconsideration of their economic, cultural and social contexts. New evidence from recent archaeological investigations in Nebelivka (early 4th mill BCE) is discussed in terms of the implications that such large settlements could have on both local environment and social organization. Three alternative models of occupation of megasites (distributed governance model, assembly model and pilgrimage model) led to a global debate of early urbanism.
You can now watch the lecture online in the gallery bellow.
