Maidanetske
Майданецьке · Maidanets'ke · Trypillia Maidanetske
Trypillia C1·Cucuteni-Trypillia·🇺🇦 Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine
About
About Maidanetske
Largest Cucuteni-Trypillia mega-site (c.3900–3600 BCE, 200 ha mapped core but estimates to 450 ha, perhaps 46,000 houses phases, peak 12–15k inhabitants), direct neighbour to Talianki forming clustered proto-cities. Kiel University geophysics revealed 1,575 houses burnt simultaneously, 3 ring streets, and a 1200 m² mega-structure (largest building in Neolithic Europe) with painted red floor, altar and 50 vessels. Proto-urban fără kings.
Why it mattersLargest building in Neolithic Europe; dual-site Talianki-Maidanetske polity.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Mega-structure = assembly vs temple?
- 02Population — seasonal vs permanent
Theories
- 01Assembly model; burnt-offering city crematory
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.3900 BCE
- Period
- Trypillia C1
- Culture
- Cucuteni-Trypillia
- Builders
- Trypillia valley farmers
- Purpose
- Mega-city with mega-structure assembly hall
- Abandoned
- c.3600 BCE (burn)
- Rediscovered
- 1960s Shmaglij; Kiel 2011‑ magnetometry
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.3800 BCE
Mega-structure with red floor built
c.3600 BCE
City-wide fire
On the ground
Structures & features
48.8150° N · 30.6100° E · 190 m · 3 mapped features
Mega-structure (1200 m²)
megastructureTwo-storey assembly hall with red floor and altar
48.8152° N · 30.6105° EInner ring houses
house890 houses geophysics
48.8148° N · 30.6095° EDitch and palisade
ditchEnclosing ditch 800 m diameter
48.8150° N · 30.6100° E