The northern part of the Bilsk archaeological complex: key study results and prospects for further research

<jats:p>This report presents information regarding scientific (primarily archaeological) research on the northern sector of the Bilsk hillfort and its immediate surroundings. Significant attention is given to the results of heritage preservation work carried out in recent years in this area. The territory selected for study and analysis is located within the current boundaries of the Hrun village council in the Okhtyrka district of Sumy region. The author has identified key archaeological sites (the Kuzemyn fortification and the defensive structures of the Great (Velyke) fortification of the Bilsk hillfort) in this area, presented a summary of research on them, and analyzed the findings of previous studies. Separately, the author identifies problematic issues that require more detailed study in the near future. Among them are an archaeological investigation of the inner area (site) of the Kuzemyn fortification (to definitively determine the functional purpose of this structure), as well as the survey of sites in the village of Kuzemin, where in the 1950s and 1960s a hoard of amphorae and a burial with accompanying material of interest to researchers (a large iron knife, a spearhead, and “copper” plaques) were discovered. Particular emphasis is also placed on the need to survey sites near the fortifications of the Bilsk hillfort, including with the aim of locating and possibly uncovering the settlement with an ash hill previously mentioned by archaeologists (in particular, V. O. Gorodtsov and P. P. Yefimenko). The fact that the Scythian era settlements of Kuzemynski Stavky I, Kuzemynski Stavky II and Kuzemynski Stavky III exist nearby only reinforces this view. The article also presents the findings and prospects for research on the Kuzemynski Stavky IV settlement, which has been somewhat overlooked by archaeologists and heritage conservationists. This study highlights information about several significant finds from the area under consideration. Some of the artifacts were discovered (but, unfortunately, not preserved for archaeological research) in recent years. Keywords: Bilsk microregion, Complex of monuments in the territory and surroundings of Bilsk hillfort, defensive structures, the Kuzemyn fortifications, the Scythian time, history of study, archaeological research (exploration, excavations), modern non-invasive research, LIDAR scanning.</jats:p>