Ancient peoples of the Ukraine
Ancient Ukraine was inhabited by various peoples including early human populations like Neanderthals and the Gravettian culture, Neolithic cultures like the Trypillia culture, and Iron Age Indo-European tribes such as the Cimmerians, Scythians, and Sarmatians.
Later, Turkic-speaking groups, German Goths, Asian Huns, Bulgars, and Avars, followed by Slavic tribes (including the Antes), Khazars, and Rus' people, also left their mark on the territory.
Here is a breakdown of some of the ancient peoples of Ukraine:
Prehistory & Early Civilizations
Neanderthals:
Evidence suggests they inhabited the region, possibly as early as 45,000 BC.
Gravettian Culture:
A culture that emerged around 33,000 BC, known for its ivory and limestone carvings.
Cucuteni–Trypillia Culture:
A Neolithic culture known for large settlements and intricate pottery, appearing around 3800 BC.
Serednii Stih Culture:
An Indo-European culture that appeared around 4500 BC.
Iron Age & Nomadic Tribes
Cimmerians: Iranian-speaking nomads who inhabited the land before the Scythians.
Scythians: A powerful Iranian-speaking group that formed a kingdom in the region, eventually succeeded by the Sarmatians.
Sarmatians: Nomadic tribes, also of Iranian origin, who followed the Scythians in the region.
Migrations and Invasions
Greek Colonists:
Established settlements on the northern Black Sea coast, such as Olbia and Chersonesus, from the 6th century BC.
Goths:
A German tribe that settled in the area before coming under the sway of the Huns.
Huns:
An Asian horde that expelled the Goths in the 4th century AD and influenced the region.
Slavs:
Slavic tribes, including the Antes, began migrating and settling in the region, forming the basis of the future Slavic nations.
Khazars:
A Turkic people who established an empire in the region after the decline of other groups.
Foundations of Modern Ukraine
Varangians: Viking explorers who traded with the Slavic tribes and whose name, Russ, was given to the state established by Oleg of Novgorod.
: A Slavic tribe that, according to legend, founded Kyiv, the capital city.
Later, Turkic-speaking groups, German Goths, Asian Huns, Bulgars, and Avars, followed by Slavic tribes (including the Antes), Khazars, and Rus' people, also left their mark on the territory.
Here is a breakdown of some of the ancient peoples of Ukraine:
Prehistory & Early Civilizations
Neanderthals:
Evidence suggests they inhabited the region, possibly as early as 45,000 BC.
Gravettian Culture:
A culture that emerged around 33,000 BC, known for its ivory and limestone carvings.
Cucuteni–Trypillia Culture:
A Neolithic culture known for large settlements and intricate pottery, appearing around 3800 BC.
Serednii Stih Culture:
An Indo-European culture that appeared around 4500 BC.
Iron Age & Nomadic Tribes
Cimmerians: Iranian-speaking nomads who inhabited the land before the Scythians.
Scythians: A powerful Iranian-speaking group that formed a kingdom in the region, eventually succeeded by the Sarmatians.
Sarmatians: Nomadic tribes, also of Iranian origin, who followed the Scythians in the region.
Migrations and Invasions
Greek Colonists:
Established settlements on the northern Black Sea coast, such as Olbia and Chersonesus, from the 6th century BC.
Goths:
A German tribe that settled in the area before coming under the sway of the Huns.
Huns:
An Asian horde that expelled the Goths in the 4th century AD and influenced the region.
Slavs:
Slavic tribes, including the Antes, began migrating and settling in the region, forming the basis of the future Slavic nations.
Khazars:
A Turkic people who established an empire in the region after the decline of other groups.
Foundations of Modern Ukraine
Varangians: Viking explorers who traded with the Slavic tribes and whose name, Russ, was given to the state established by Oleg of Novgorod.
: A Slavic tribe that, according to legend, founded Kyiv, the capital city.
