Producing Economy Characteristics of the Medieval Polyutovo (Rodanovo) Hillfort

Abstract

The article deals with a brief description of the producing economy types: agriculture and livestock farming of the medieval community. The study combines the results of excavations on the Polyutovo (Rodanovo) hillfort in 1936–1937, 2016–2021 and 2023. The period of the medieval climatic optimum coincides with a change in the type of economy. Favorable conditions for farming are being created. The methods of land cultivation and harvesting the crop, the quantity of which had been steadily increasing, were changing, the design of storage pits for keeping grown grains was improved, and the methods of grain handling were also changed. These assumptions are confirmed by findings of recent years: ploughshare, fragments of hunchback scythe and sickle, storage pit, fragments of quernstones. Osteological analysis indicates a well-developed animal husbandry with a predominance of meat and dairy. Cattle was the key economic species. The hillfort population used the raw materials provided by cattle: wool, leather, bones. The following production occupations are distinguished: spinning, leather crafting, bone carving and, possibly, weaving. Cattle could be used as draft power. The materials open up prospects for further publications and scientific discussions.

Keywords

• archaeology
• archaeozoology
• rodanovo culture
• the perm cis-urals
• agriculture
• livestock farming
• hillfort
• home production
• fauna
• structure of slaughter