Lidar Investigations of Hlynske Archaeological Complex

The identification, analysis and research of archeological sites is a difficult task, especially in areas covered with dense vegetation. The study of sites in such an area is limited by a number of factors. This applies to the vegetation cover, as well as the size and state of preservation of the archeological sites themselves. The difficulties in the documentation, survey, and material collection increase in areas characterized by dense understory vegetation. The presence of disparate components of archaeological complexes, in such conditions, further complicates their identification on the ground. To solve these research problems, remote sensing based on LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) can be fruitfully applied to achieve unique performance in detecting ancient settlements. In this paper, LiDAR scanning were applied to the medieval site near Hlynske village (Poltava region, Central Ukraine), selected for this study because it is located on a hilly area with complex topography and thick vegetation cover surveying archaeological features and remains, in densely vegetated areas. According to the paleo landscape and hypsometric analysis of the digital terrain model (DTM), the fortified parts of the settlements separated by ravines are evidence of direct anthropogenic impact on the relief. These ravines are the remnants of ditches that have increased their area due to erosion processes. Other ravines that divide the archeological complex into parts are the remains of trails, paths or roads. They appeared as a result of economic activity of the Romny culture population in the 9th century. Fragments of spindle whorls, weapons and personal ornaments were found in these places, which were probably lost by ancient inhabitants while traveling on these routes. The system of ravines, which is fixed to the west and south-west of the Small hillfort, also belongs to the category of ancient roads that connected Opishnya, Budyshche and Hlynske. Thus, as a result of the analysis of the DTM, information on microtopography and features of landscape formation on the monument was obtained. As a whole, the investigations allowed the discovery of an anthropogenic landscape from the 9th century and the detection of an unknown extra urban area abandoned in the Late Middle Ages.