The occupations of the ancient Slavs were determined by the characteristics of the climatic and natural conditions of the area in which they lived. The East European Plain, which has become the refuge of our ancestors, dictated certain conditions for farming, survival in general. Obeying them, the ancient Slavs gradually mastered all the resources at their disposal and, thanks to this, formed a large and strong state.
Main occupation
Scientists obtain all information about the life of our ancestors from archaeological data, as well as from written sources. The most ancient traces of Slavs discovered date back to the 5th-4th centuries BC. Written documents characterize a later era - from the middle of the 1st century AD. All sources clearly indicate that the main occupation of the ancient Slavs was agriculture. During archaeological excavations, seeds of various crops were discovered in large numbers: rye, buckwheat, millet, barley, flax and hemp.
Due to the length of the territory occupied by our ancestors, agriculture in its different areas had some peculiarities. There are slash-fire type and fallow.
Favorable zone
In the southern regions of the soil were fertile, therefore, the main occupations of the ancient Slavs related to the cultivation of crops, arose earlier here. The main method of farming was fallow. A large number of open forest-free plots with fertile soil were sown for several years in a row. They regularly served people until a certain point, and then were exhausted. In this case, the farmers were looking for a new plot (shifted) and everything was repeated.
The first tool that our ancestors began to use in the southern fields was a wooden ralo. Then he was replaced by a plow with an iron share. The appearance of such tools significantly increased the number of plowed lands and the quality of their cultivation.
Slash-and-burn agriculture
A little different soil was cultivated in the north. Here a large area of land was covered with forests, and the Slavs had to free future fields from trees. The preparation took place in two stages. All trees in the selected area in the first year were cut down and left. During the winter, they dried up, and in the spring they were burned along with stumps: the soil was well fertilized with ash. Then they sowed the grain. Thus prepared land brought crops for two to three years, and then depleted. Farmers went in search of a new suitable plot.
The main occupations of the ancient Slavs in the north were the hoe, ax, plow, spade and female harrow. Our ancestors used sickles to harvest. The grain was ground using stone graters and millstones.
Arable farming
The appearance of iron tools significantly affected all the activities of the ancient Slavs. Agriculture has become more ambitious: the area of cultivated fields has increased. The so-called two-field and three-field crop rotation took shape. In the first case, the land was divided into two parts. On one of them, bread was directly grown. The second half was under steam, that is, rested. The first field was also called winter because it was sown in winter.
With three-field farming, in addition to these two plots, another one stood out. On it, grain was sown in the spring, and therefore it received the name spring. Such a system has long been mainly used in the south. In the north for a considerable period of history there was not enough land.
The scale of the main occupation of the ancient Slavs, with all the primitiveness of the tools, is amazing. Archaeologists have discovered several roomy granaries. In some of them, you can easily fit up to 5 tons of the crop.
Cattle breeding
Classes of the ancient Slavs (drawings and paintings depicting the life of our ancestors vividly demonstrate this) are not limited to agriculture. So, cattle breeding was closely connected with it. The agricultural assistants in the northern regions were horses, and the southern ones were oxen. The ancient Slavs raised sheep, cows, goats and pigs. While air temperature allowed, cattle grazed on pastures. In winter, it was placed in a stable, where a lot of food was prepared during the summer. Sheep, goats and cows gave milk. Cattle were a source of hides and meat.
The ancient Slavs were engaged in hunting. From time immemorial, fur-bearing animal skins were sold to neighboring tribes or exchanged for other valuable goods. However, cattle breeding as a source of food and other resources was more reliable. Forest animals did not allow themselves to come just like that, they could migrate. Pets were always nearby. Cattle breeding, therefore, was one of the necessary prerequisites for successful survival in the often harsh conditions of the past.
Big and small fish
Edible reserves were replenished not only due to fields and forests. Ponds also generously supplied the ancient Slavs with provisions. Fishing was developed in Russia no less than cattle breeding. It is easier than hunting and makes it possible to find food near the house, and not moving away from it at an impressive distance, as happened during the tracking of a wild beast. They ate fish during the princely feasts, and put it on the table of a commoner. Everywhere she was out of place. Therefore, fishing entered the main occupations of the ancient Slavs. A large number of rivers and lakes in the territory of the young state contributed to its development. Fishermen caught pike, tench, sturgeon, perch and eel. The ancient Slavs were great craftsmen in creating gear. The annals mention oud, nets, net, measure.
Fishing place
The reservoirs where fishing was initially actively developed were Lake Peipsi, Ladoga and Ilmen. Over time, the centers of fishing became Pskov and Novgorod. As a rule, at that time the coastal territory and the reservoir had one owner. However, often fishing grounds were transferred for use to other people without land. This happened as a result of a sale, testament or deed of gift.
For the prince in his lands, serfs caught fish, who knew the wisdom of the matter and were obliged to deliver to the table a certain amount of the caught. It should be noted that along with the hunters they enjoyed certain privileges - the occupation was considered honorable.
Fixtures
Both in ancient times and in the Middle Ages, fish were caught in very large quantities. Therefore, such a device as a fishing rod was considered suitable only for entertainment and recreation. In those days, the majority of the population did not have the opportunity for such relaxation, and therefore completely different methods were used. Often the river was blocked by an ezom — a stockade or wattle fence. Fish accumulated in one place and they were caught. Installed in the spring, and cleaned only in the winter. Accumulated fish was caught using a net. The amount of food thus obtained was quite impressive.
According to some researchers, the net was first used by the ancient Slavs, and only then appeared in Europe. It was used by villagers to fish in large rivers and lakes. In addition to it, in small reservoirs a variety of traps were used, woven from rods.
The net, however, was used more often than other devices. Its length could reach several meters. Fishing with the help of a net actively developed during the formation of Kievan Rus. Due to the convenience and relative ease of this method, it soon became popular in neighboring states.
Beekeeping
When the lessons of the ancient Slavs are highlighted, the drawings that accompany the text often illustrate trade. On all images, a jug or a barrel of honey is certainly found. Beekeeping in our ancestors was developed as well as growing grain and fishing. In the days of feudal Russia, its onboard appearance was most widespread. Boron is a natural hollow (later also called artificial), in which the hive was located. The scale of beekeeping in Russia surprised travelers, but because in many records you can find a mention of it.
Land
Sections of the forest, where black and yellow toilers were found, was called bead manholes. Their importance in the lives of individual families and the entire state as a whole is evidenced by the so-called honey tax that existed in the twelfth century. Nothing else was allowed to pay it.
The Slavs used hollows, formed not only naturally. In the forest, they noticed trees suitable for hollowing out “minks”, prepared them, and soon they were populated by bees. Bortovye mansions were actively used until the XVII century, when they were replaced by apiaries. Beekeeping was an important part of foreign and domestic trade, and in addition, it helped to preserve the vast natural areas in their original form. The forest, where onboard maneuvers were located, was not cut down.
As you can see, what the ancient Slavs, men and women did, was primarily aimed at providing food for the family, tribe and principality. The choice of its sources was dictated by nature. We can say that our ancestors were lucky in this sense: full-flowing rivers and forests stretching for many kilometers were always willing to share food. And therefore, the main occupations of the ancient Slavs, summarized here, were so diverse. Agriculture, cattle breeding, hunting, fishing and flight-staying were also supplemented by crafts, which arose almost simultaneously with them. Such occupations of the ancient Slavs, such as pottery, stone and wood carving, iron processing, developed in parallel with others. Together, they formed a unique culture of the young state.