Ukrainians in Space-Time

Relevance. The article provides a detailed analysis of the problematic issues surrounding the origins of the Ukrainian ethnos in space-time, specifically within the territories of modern Ukraine, beginning with the Neolithic period. It explores nearly two centuries of research dedicated to this topic. The recurring nature of this issue reflects its relevance to contemporary Ukraine and its people, especially as questions regarding the precariousness of the country’s state independence have resurfaced, leading to concerns not only about the loss of sovereignty but also the national identity of the ancient Ukrainian people. The aim of this research is to demonstrate the importance of seeking new (creative) ways and forms for preserving and restoring Ukrainian identity. It endeavors to briefly trace the evolutionary (historical) path of the formation of the Ukrainian nation (ethnos) from its earliest (archaeologically documented) ancestors, amidst the catastrophic erosion of the primordial mental characteristics of Ukrainians-Rus, and the diminishing landscape diversity of Ukraine’s vibrant nature. The study seeks to illuminate the profound humanistic roots of ethnogenetic processes that have occurred and continue to occur on the territory of Ukraine, particularly through the lens of philosophical categories of morality and wisdom, goodness and justice. Methods. In writing this article, we adhered to four levels of scientific methodology: philosophical and worldview, general scientific, specific scientific, and research techniques. An analytical methodological approach was employed to substantiate our claims, utilizing methods of analysis and introspection – analyzing personal experiences and values. Results. The author has traced (within the limits permitted by the article’s framework) the continuity of ethnogenetic processes throughout the evolutionary (historical) journey of the inhabitants of the territories of Ukraine. The issue of the autochthony of the Ukrainian people on their native land has been raised. This examination could not overlook the neighboring territories of Ukraine, where our ancient ancestors lived, from where they migrated, and to which they moved. The modern ethnic genome (roots) of Ukrainians can be derived from written sources and characteristics (physical anthropological type, dialects, clothing, etc.) of the nations (tribes, ethnos, nationalities) that have more or less permanently resided within the territorial borders of contemporary Ukraine. However, the author identifies historical memory concerning ancestral lands and their inhabitants (forefathers) as the definitive ethnic characteristic distinguishing one ethnos from another, particularly for the Ukrainian people. This idealistic spirit of the land, which should provide its population with vitality and the will to fight for their Ukrainian State, is emphasized. Conclusions. The origins of the Ukrainian ethnos should be regarded through a continuous vector, within an evolutionary framework, based on the fundamental tenets of evolutionism. Ethnos is an evolutionary category. The formation of the current ethnic community of Ukrainians (and concurrently ancient Rus’) must have involved not only the Slavs but also many other peoples that, by coincidence or through historical-natural laws, were connected to the ethnic lands of modern Ukraine.