Novoselivka: Kurgans and Steppe

Novoselivka can be viewed from two very different perspectives: archaeological monuments give the town and its immediate surroundings a long historical timeframe, while the plant diversity of Balka Makushina ravine adds a landscape perspective. This contrast can help with planning your trip: first decide whether cultural history, nature, or a combination of the two is the main attraction.

Archaeological Monuments from Prehistoric Times

Kurgan 3830-Dp is an archaeological monument dating from the 3rd to the 1st millennium BC. It is located in Novoselivka, 1.8 kilometres east of the town centre. Nearby are also Kurgan 562, as well as Kurgan 1, identified as 3831/1-Dp, and Kurgan 2, identified as 3831/2-Dp; they too date from the 3rd to the 1st millennium BC. A group of kurgan burials from the same period is also among the archaeological monuments in the immediate vicinity and bears the identifier 3831-Dp. Public visitor access to the archaeological monuments mentioned here has not been confirmed.

The identifiers help distinguish monuments with similar names, while their shared dating spans a broad period. The 3rd to the 1st millennium BC covers a long stretch of time; it points to prehistoric depth, not a single event. For travellers interested in cultural history, what stands out is the combination of one monument within Novoselivka and several in the surrounding area.

Plant Diversity and Landscape Protection

Balka Makushina is on the northern edge of Novoselivka. Twenty-seven plant species listed in the Red Books of Ukraine and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast have been recorded in the proposed Balka Makushina Landscape Reserve. They include hairy feather grass, Lessing's feather grass, woolly-flowered astragalus, spring pheasant's-eye, reticulate saffron and Bug tulip. These names make the natural-history aspect tangible: this is not just a general impression of steppe, but a diverse plant world with individually named species.

Balka Mala Svistunova was also proposed as a landscape reserve to preserve valuable steppe habitats; the ravine is relatively close to Balka Makushina. At a meeting on 12 July 2024, Novolativska Village Council rejected the proposal for the Balka Makushina Landscape Reserve.

Which Themes Suit Your Trip?

To decide whether Novoselivka is a suitable destination for you, you can weigh up its different highlights. The kurgans give the town and its immediate surroundings a long historical timeframe; the plant list makes the landscape around Balka Makushina tangible through specific species. Travellers looking for both cultural and natural-history themes will find them here as clearly distinct perspectives. Families can discuss the choice together before booking: are the children more interested in prehistoric monuments, plants and steppe, or both? If Novoselivka matches what you are looking for, you can focus your holiday apartment search on the destination.

Discover more destinations: Ordzhonikidze, Kryvyi Rih, Bulakhivka, Zarychanka, Stari Kodaky, Mohyliv, Surske, Svitlohirske

See the regional travel overview: Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.