In search of Trypillian secrets

Extended answer:

The Trypillians chose their settlement locations very wisely. Rivers were a crucial source of water, but frequent flooding could destroy entire villages. That’s why they often settled on elevated areas near rivers — to avoid flooding while still staying close to water. River valleys offered fertile soil enriched by natural sediments, making them perfect for farming — the main occupation of the Trypillians. Proximity to water made it easier to irrigate fields, provide drinking water for livestock, and meet daily needs.

Hills also provided a better view of the surrounding area, helping residents detect potential threats early (like enemy attacks). Fortifying a settlement on a hill also made it more difficult for enemies to storm.

Additionally, hills were often near forests, which were essential for gathering timber for building homes and making fires.

Extended correct answer:

The tradition of building homes from clay and wood remained common across Ukrainian lands up until the early 20th century. However, unlike the later one-story clay huts ("mazanky"), the Trypillians sometimes built two-story houses that could reach 200 square meters or more in living space. They often stayed in one place for a long time, and when it was time to move, they would burn down their entire settlements. This ritual likely had both practical and symbolic meaning, and it resulted in thick layers of daub and ash — traces that archaeologists find today as the first signs of burned dwellings.

Extended correct answer:

In addition to female figurines, archaeologists have also found male figurines and androgynous ones, which combine both male and female features. Still, female figurines are the most common, likely symbolizing fertility, the continuation of life, and a deep connection with the earth’s fruitfulness. These artifacts are quite small — typically between 5 and 12 cm in height. Their forms vary: some are sitting or standing, others have rounded hips, appear pregnant, or are shown in a praying pose. Some hold a child, some have stylized heads — shaped like a bull, snake, or human, reflecting the symbolism and beliefs of the Trypillian people. These figurines weren’t decorative — they were spiritual objects, connected with ritual practices and worldview.

Extended correct answer:

There are around 20 different theories about the purpose of the binocular-shaped vessel — some with practical, others with symbolic or ritual grounding. The most widely accepted theory suggests that these vessels were used during sacrificial ceremonies. Other interpretations include: Rainmaking rituals – possibly used in ceremonies to invoke rain; Sifting grains or liquids – to “purify” or give them healing properties; Musical instrument – animal skin might have been stretched across the openings, turning it into a type of ritual drum; Communication tool – perhaps used to "speak" to the spirits of ancestors or deities; Anthropomorphic symbol – resembling a figure of a deity; But the most poetic theory imagines the vessel as a symbolic couple holding hands — representing marriage, unity, and harmony within the home.

Extended correct answer:

The main occupation of the Trypillians was farming, which is why they are often called the first grain growers. They cultivated several types of hulled wheat, including spelt, as well as barley, millet, and even peas. Their success in agriculture led to notable economic growth. For example, 30 people working in the fields could produce enough food to support 70 others, giving the rest of the community time to focus on other types of work and crafts.

Expanded Correct Answer:

The Trypillian culture is dated approximately between 5400–2750 BCE, which means it existed around 7,000 to 5,000 years ago. It spread across parts of present-day Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine—primarily on the Right Bank of the Dnipro River. In Ukraine alone, around 2,100 archaeological sites of the Trypillian culture have been discovered, making it the region where the culture reached its peak of development and prosperity.

Expanded Correct Answer:

Some Trypillian settlements reached incredible sizes — between 200 and 350 hectares, with populations of up to 15,000 people! These so-called “mega-settlements” include sites like Talianky, Maidanetske, Dobrovodivka, Hrybochok, Nebelivka, and Vesely Kut. For their time, they were essentially proto-cities, with no true equivalents anywhere else in Europe. These giant settlements are considered a transitional stage toward urban development, serving as economic hubs, military strongholds, ideological centers, and places of administrative coordination. Typically, such settlements were organized in 3 to 4 concentric circles, with the largest buildings located in the outermost ring, built tightly together to form a kind of fortified perimeter. Beyond that, defensive palisades were sometimes constructed for additional protection.

Expanded Correct Answer:

In 2012, a joint British-Ukrainian expedition excavated a settlement near the village of Nebelivka in the Kirovohrad region, confirming the existence of a temple.

The public building measured approximately 20 by 60 meters — that’s 1,200 square meters! The Nebelivka temple had two floors, with its ceiling supported by dozens of wooden columns. Archaeologists even found imprints of ropes used by ancient builders to mount the structure’s framework. On the first floor, they discovered the remains of seven altars, while the second floor featured an 18-meter-long raised podium. Surrounding the building was an open area where several thousand villagers could gather. Remarkably, the “gate” of the temple was oriented toward the rising sun. This temple was built around 6,000 years ago.

Expanded Correct Answer:

The symbolism of Trypillians is very diverse and can be interpreted differently. Her study does not stop. Today, more than 300 characters and blocks of signs are known, 12% of which coincide with the hieroglyphs of the Sumerians. Unfortunately, these signs have never developed into true writing, and the characters were found only on ceramic products. The double spiral is interpreted as images of snakes that can act as one of the deities in the mythology of Trypillians, and interpret as: beginning - end, good - evil, male - female.

Expanded Correct Answer:

Climate change has led to a number of problems in ancient society. It was impossible to harvest a good harvest, pastures were impoverished, and hunting and fishing could not meet the needs of the community. This causes detraction and changes in the economy, significantly reducing the population, and therefore the settlements themselves. The population in search of food finds new diseases. Going into smaller groups, they protect their stocks, fighting with each other. These exhausted rest of the former majestic society is likely to simply assimilate with other tribes, are more engaged in animal husbandry, accept a nomadic lifestyle.