The Settlement at river Menka

Settlement on the Menke is the most important archaeological site, not only of Minsk region, but also in Belarus.

Now Menka is a creek. According to scientists, Menka, and in ancient times was not great. In science, there is evidence that the term «men» has the meaning «small shallow river». However, the dam on the creek could easily create a body of water, allowing vessels to approach the settlement. Two kilometers away Menka river empties into the Ptich, the one in Pripyat, Pripyat and the Dnieper. So here you could get to the Black Sea. It is possible that this creek was born, and there was a settlement, which appeared in the pages of records under the name Mensk. So far, there are remains of earthworks, indicating that this finding of the settlement.

On the site of this ancient settlement was the city. In cities under the protection of powerful walls were princes or governors, relatives of the feudal lords. There was a princely retinue, clergy, artisans and merchants. Back in the mid-nineteenth century it was known that in the local area farmers plow the remains found on utensils, tools, jewelry.

Modern archaeologists have repeatedly explored the area near the fort. It has been found many fragments of pottery of X-XII centuries and other items. The total area of the ancient settlement around the fort at least 30 hectares. So many other early feudal villages in Belarus has not been preserved.

Near this fort were found three large treasure. Treasures confirm the existence of an important bird in the upper mall, at least in the X-the first half of XI century. Such a center could only be a settlement on the Menke. It is quite possible that there was the Minsk at a time when he first appeared in the pages of records - in 1067 year. Scientists suggest that the local village served as the basis for the emergence of the city at the confluence of the rivers Svisloch and Nemiga. It is possible that the population of Mensk was transferred to the banks of Svisloch, but for a new settlement, however, retained the old name - Mensk. Yet it was not Moscow and Stockholm, Vilnius and Lvov, Berlin and Warsaw and Minsk was already standing at the crossroads of military and commercial roads, open piercing winds of history. reveal all text