Parking lot paleolith Berdyzh in Podluzhe

Berdyzh is one of the most famous Upper Paleolithic sites in Belarus. It is located in the Chechersk District of the Gomel Region, 3 km south of the village of Berdyzh, on the southern slope of a ravine cutting into the plateau of the first floodplain terrace of the Sozh River, a tributary of the Dnieper. The site was studied in different years by archaeologists K. M. Polikarpovich, S. N. Zamyatnin (1926–1929, 1938–1939), and V. D. Budko (1959–1961).

Ancient Human Settlement

At the Berdyzh site, 0.3 km south of the village of Podluzhye, there was a year-round settlement of ancient humans. Research has uncovered two or three dwellings from the Upper Paleolithic period, estimated to be around 23,000 years old. These oval structures, with a diameter of 5–6 meters, are an important testament to prehistoric life in Belarus. They are younger than the Yurovichi site on the Pripyat River (26,000 years old).

Archaeological Discoveries

Excavations at the Berdyzh site have revealed numerous animal remains, including 1,800 mammoth bones, as well as remains of reindeer, bison, arctic fox, bear, wolf, hare, woolly rhinoceros, and horse. Among the discovered tools are spearheads with side notches, scrapers, primitive chisels, blade-like plates, and other flint artifacts. The Berdyzh site is closely related to Eastern Gravettian settlements such as Kostenki I, Borshchevo I, Gagarino, and Pushkari I.

Berdyzh in the System of Paleolithic Sites

The Berdyzh site belongs to the early Ostashkov period (26,000–23,000 years ago) and is among the most significant Paleolithic monuments of the Russian Plain. Other sites of this period include Pushkari I, Khotylevo 2, Kostenki I, Kostenki 8, Kostenki 11, Yurovichi, Radomyshl, and Pogon. In 1953, 100–120 meters northwest of Berdyzh, K. M. Polikarpovich discovered the earliest cultural layer, initially attributed to the Mousterian period. However, later studies did not find typical Mousterian tools or discoid cores.

Excursions to Berdyzh

The Paleolithic site of Berdyzh is a unique historical and archaeological landmark in Belarus, attracting researchers and tourists alike. For those who wish to immerse themselves in the ancient history of the region and see the site where prehistoric humans once lived, you can book a tour to Berdyzh and explore other archaeological monuments of Belarus. Discover the world of antiquity with professional guides!