This was announced on Facebook by the head of the Rivne Regional Council, Andriy Karaush, as reported by Ukrinform.
“The archeological expedition at Dubno Castle is completed. To remind you, test pits were dug at two locations in the central part of the territory,” the head of the regional council wrote.
According to him, in the first test pit, closer to the entrance gate, remnants of a wooden floor consisting of planks placed on horizontal logs were discovered, which can be dated to the first half of the 17th century. In the second test pit, researchers encountered well-preserved paving made of small limestone. The stone pavement was laid on a “cushion” of loam.
“In the first test pit, we managed to extract fragments of a ceramic pot from the castle’s construction period. Archeologists suggest that this pottery was used for food for the builders,” Karaush noted.
He added that materials from the Kyivan Rus’ period – the era of the historically mentioned city of Dubno – were also found: a bronze cross, a belt buckle, a spindle whorl, and ceramics from the 10th to 13th centuries, indicating active habitation of the territory of the later courtyard.
During the excavation in the defensive moat, previously unknown construction features of the first bridge of the bastion fort were recorded, as well as the depth of the moat at this location (3.7 meters below the surface of the current moat). Scientists discovered signs of water standing in this place and also came across one of the supports of the old bridge – it shows signs of reconstruction, likely from the mid-18th century when the castle underwent a period of intense rebuilding.
“Archeologists concluded that the builders of that time ensured the reliability and durability of the stone support in the castle,” the head of the regional council remarked.
He added that among the finds were also many ceramics from the Kyivan Rus’ period up to the 18th-19th centuries, a silver button from the 17th century, likely from a kontusz or żupan, a small coin from the 16th century, and a pipe from the second half of the 17th century.
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The expedition was led by Candidate of Historical Sciences Yuriy Pshenychnyi, and students from Ostroh Academy participated.
As Ukrinform reported, excavations at Dubno Castle began in July at two locations.
The castle on the banks of the Ikva River was built by Prince Kostiantyn Ostrozky to protect his vast treasures.
За матеріалами: www.ukrinform.ua