Аналіз археологічних матеріалів, що походять з
пам’яток культури карпатських курганів, дозволив
отримати відомості щодо основних джерел харчування прикарпатського населення у ІІІ—ІV ст.
The issue of the sources and nature of nutrition of
ancient population is undoubtedly important to reproduce
the general picture of its life. Archaeologists
learn about this, analyzing the remains of foodstuffs
or equipment, which have been found during the excavation
of sites and may indicate the manufacture or
usage of such products.
The Subcarpathian territory in the 3rd—4th centuries
was inhabited by the tribes of the Carpathian Barrows
Culture. The agricultural nature of the economy of this
population was determined after the discovery and research
of the settlements. Long time this archaeological
culture was known only by its burial sites.
Naturally, the basis of nutrition of the ancient farmer
population was the cereals. In particular, the complex
of granaries with charred grain, discovered at the settlement
near Pylypy village, indicates the wide range of
cultivated cereals, among which the preference was given
to the barley, millet, oats. Apparently, the Subcarpathian
people in the 3rd—4th centuries used for nutrition mainly
the products of retreatment of these cereals. It is interested
that, according to ethnographic data, before the appearance
of corn and potatoes just the barley, millet and
oats were the basis of the daily food of the Carpathian
Ukrainians. Even in nineteenth century traditional unleavened
bread has been baked of oatmeal. The population
was engaged in animal husbandry, kept the cows,
horses, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry. The bones of these
animals and birds were occurred in the materials of settlements
and burials. The usage of dairy products is evidenced
by the findings of jugs, mugs and clay «colanders»
for making cottage cheese. The dishes cooked of lamb,
pork, poultry as well the eggs were placed in the burial as
funeral food. Population Subcarpathian Barrows Culture
not use meat of horse as food. The presence of burnt horse
bones in the barrows was of sacred significance. Horses in
burials were escort animals to the afterlife.
Archaeological finds of hunting weapons and fishing
tackle give reasons to believe that additional meals were
the game and fish. Naturally, the ancient population also
fed by mushrooms, berries, honey of wild bees, herbs.
