[8] "In the past, the association of this [Chernyakhov] culture with the Goths was highly contentious, but important methodological advances have made it irresistible.

Both cultures were discovered by the Czech-russian archaeologist, Vikentiy Khvoyka, who conducted numerous excavations around Kyiv and its vicinity.

[11] The dual name reflects past preferential use by different schools of history (Romanian and Soviet) to designate the culture.

[citation needed] In the earlier half of the 20th century, scholars spent much energy debating the ethnic affinity of people in the Chernyakhov zone.

Soviet scholars, such as Boris Rybakov, saw it as the archaeological reflection of the Proto-Slavs,[12] but western, especially German, historians, and Polish archeologists attributed it to the Goths.

[13] However, the remains of archaeologically visible material culture and their link with ethnic identity are not as clear as originally thought.

Funerary gifts often include fibulae, belt buckles, bone combs, glass drinking vessels and other jewelry.

The Chernyakhov people were primarily a settled population involved in cultivation of cereals – especially wheat, barley and millet.

Metalworking skills were widespread throughout the culture, and local smiths produced much of the implements, although there is some evidence of production specialization.

[18] Rather, more recent theories explain the collapse of the Chernyakhov culture in terms of a disruption of the hierarchical political structure that maintained it.

Some of the autochthonous elements persist,[19] and become even more widespread, after the demise of the Gothic elite – a phenomenon associated with the rise and expansion of the early Slavs.

Wielbark elements are prominent in the Chernyakhov zone, such as typical 'Germanic' pottery, brooch types and female costume, and, in particular, weaponless bi-ritual burials.

Combined with Jordanes' account, Heather concludes that a movement of Goths (and other east Germanic groups such as Heruli and Gepids) "played a major role in the creation of the Cernjachove culture".