Archeological excavations in Kyiv-Pechersk State Historical and Cultural Preserve in the mid-1980s

Dear friends!

Our today’s release of “Memories of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” photo project will acquaint you with the archeological excavations conducted in Kyiv-Pechersk State Historical and Cultural Preserve in the mid-1980s.

If we look back, we will remember that the most significant archaeological excavations of the previous decade were devoted to the research of Lavra caves. We talked about those works in our last four releases (1, 2, 3, 4) and posted relevant information on the web-site of the Preserve in March-April this year. 

In the 1980s archeological excavations moved to the territory of Upper Lavra and were conducted mainly in the area of ​​Cathedral Square. This was due to the fact that at that time experts in the scientific community as well as public in general actively discussed the restoration of the destroyed Dormition Cathedral. At the same time, the working out of this type of project required detailed definition of the architectural and construction history of the monument. That is why, the archaeological research was in need to give the answers to the questions that could not be clarified from the written and pictorial sources.

The architectural and archeological expedition of the Institute of Archeology supervised by Viktor Kharlamov studied Dormition Cathedral in 1982 and 1986. Photos below that show the progress of works during the archaeological season in 1986, were provided by Iryna Zhylenko, leading research associate of the Preserve. She was the 4th year student of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv State University then, and participated in the excavations of the ruins of the Dormition Cathedral as part of the archaeological expedition. The results of that year’s research were important for the development of the final version of the Cathedral’s reconstruction project. That year was also memorable for quite interesting findings discovered during the excavations. In particular, in the central part of the main Church archeologists found the remains of the burial of Kyiv Metropolitan Petro Mohyla, which was destroyed by the explosion.

Next release of “Memories of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” photo project will start a small cycle of stories dedicated to the revival of monastic life in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in the late 1980s.

Captions to the illustrations:

1. Archaeological season is open: excavations have begun.

2. Viktor Kharlamov, the supervisor of the expedition, maps out the place for future research.

3. Latest instructions for the members of the expedition.

4. V. Kharlamov shows the place for the excavations to Hryhorij Trofymenko.

5. Young archaeologists. First on the left - V. Kozyuba, first on the right -
V. Honchar.

6. Teacher of the Kyiv Automobile and Road Institute (at the center) assists V. Honchar (at left) and I. Zhylenko (at right).

7. Tombstones as findings. On the left and out front - V. Kozyuba. In the distance - V. Kharlamov, examines one of the found tombstones.

8. V. Kharlamov photographs the tombstone.

9. O. Hlushko clears the tombstone inscription.

10-11. Tombstones of Lavra governor, hieromonk Clement and Archimandrite Gennady Komarovsky. Today, these tombstones can be seen in the front garden near the Great Lavra Bell Tower.

12-13. V. Kozyuba clears the tombstone.

14. V. Honchar raises the findings from the excavation area.

15. V. Kharlamov talks about the progress in the research.

16-17. Lunch break and short rest followed by the new working period.