huge earth mounds with deep ditches on either side of scattered throughout the territory of Ukraine and not only.What do they mean?When built?By whom?And why are they such a strange name - "Serpent's Wall"?
History of serpents shafts
high earth mounds, supported by a wooden palisade and a deep ditch bordered on one side, extend over large parts.Over the years, some trees have been destroyed plowing the land, buildings, and other factors.But those who remained, scattered pieces across Ukraine mostly in Kharkiv, Poltava, Kyiv and Volyn regions.Total length from 900 to 1000 km, they stretched from the western part up to the Seversky Donets River.Although some mound Serpent's Wall are in the south, in Primorye.Historians are still arguing about, what these people built earthen hills.Some claim that the Serpent's Wall were piled in the X-XI century, the princes of Kievan Rus.Since the shafts are arranged line parallel to the littoral, the scientists argue their point of view, the fact that the people of Kiev in this way protected from the nomadic peoples - the Pechenegs.But fans of other opinions claim that Kievan Rus is not to blame.Serpent's Wall were built in the II.BC.e.- VIII in.n.e.our ancient ancestors - Slavs.Thus, they were protected by the nomadic tribes.These mounds are not served as a means of defense, as they were piled out of the ground, and they can be overcome.Their main purpose was the ability to contain and slow the horse raiding enemies.Effect of surprise did not, in the meantime, local residents received a signal from the guard tower near the mound, where he was on duty.As long as the enemy tribes will overcome the ditch and rampart, the Allies had time to come to fight or flee if necessary.Which of these two ideas is true is still unknown.The reason for this is an inaccurate study shafts.Nevertheless, the story of the Baptism of Rus' to the rich with a huge number of tribes living in the area.They did not have their own state with a permanent army, that need at least some protection.Kievan Rus was a powerful state, so might discourage unexpected swoops nomads.
Where did the name "Serpent's Wall"?
Back in the old days, when there were legends of Russian heroes Alyosha Popovich, Dobrynya Nikitich, Nikita Kozhemyako, there was an ancient prophecy.According to him, Nikita Kozhemyako managed to catch people's enemy - Snake-Gorynycha.People were very angry with the monster that has brought them a lot of grief.They did not know what to do with this monster, and finally decided: Kozhumyaka harnessed him and drove across the territory of Russia.After they remained deep impression.It is the moat, and the land of it fell into the shaft.This is all the legends and prophecies.In fact, instead of snake-Gorynycha furrow harnessed ordinary people who built this land and construction.Standing for more than 10 centuries, it never ceases to amaze contemporaries.That is only in Ukraine is not much revered cultural sites while in other countries, these trees are protected by the state and is a historical monument, where they can break due to highway construction or start up a seeded field.
