Ivan-Horod, Ancient gord in Rzhyshchiv, Ukraine
Ivan-Horod is an ancient fortified settlement perched on Ivana Hill near Rzhyshchiv in Kyiv Oblast, built to control the surrounding landscape. The site features defensive structures designed to protect inhabitants and monitor the territory below.
The settlement developed between the 9th and 13th centuries as a fortified living space in a strategically important region. It demonstrates early Slavic building methods and was part of the defensive networks that shaped the area at that time.
The place name combines Ivan with horod, a term from Old Church Slavonic that appears across many Eastern European settlements. This naming reflects how language has stayed rooted in the region across centuries.
The archaeological site sits on elevated ground and can be explored on foot, though sturdy footwear is recommended. The best time to visit is during warmer months when the terrain is easier to access.
Excavations at this location reveal details about early Slavic techniques for building fortified settlements, which are now invaluable to regional archaeology. The findings show how communities over a thousand years ago engineered their defenses against threats.
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