| Summary: | Nowadays only a little more than 20% of early Iron Age settlements have been investigated in Vitebsk Dvina Region. The insufficient study resulted in contradictory points of view on the cultural origin of the Region inhabitants. At the same time researchers unanimously stress a special image of the material culture of Vitebsk Dvina Region which, having the Dnieper-Dvina character, was strongly influenced by different tribes from outside. The purpose of the article is the introduction into scientific circulation of new materials which make it possible to identify the time of origin and cultural belonging of ancient settlements in Vitebsk Dvina Region. Material and methods. General historical and archeological methods of monument research were used: the comparative typological, the map graphic, the cross dating, the radio-carbon analysis (С-14 method), the historical reconstruction method. Findings and their discussion. The geomorphologic features of the Region combined with unfavorable climate conditions did not facilitate inhabiting Vitebsk Dvina Region until the last quarter of the 1st millennium A.D. The study of most significant settlements of the Region made it possible to develop the settlement typology, to trace the evolution of the system of defense, to identify construction features of dwelling and production complexes. The image of the material culture of Vitebsk Dvina Region population was strongly influenced by constantly intervening in its territory alien groups of Baltic, Finnish and later Pra-Slavic population. As a result a special type of material culture was shaped which incorporated both local traditions and novelties. Conclusion. Intervention of various tribal groups into the territory of Vitebsk Dvina Region in the late 1st millennium B.C – early 1st millennium A.D. created prerequisites for shaping in the region of a specific variant of the Dnieper-Dvina culture which incorporated features typical of various variants of the Dnieper-Dvina culture, the culture of striped ceramics and Diakov ...
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