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346 JOHAN CALLMERvigorously in the Podil and to the south and west of the nucleus on theStarokyjivs'ka.As already noted, there is an increasing data base of archaeologicalfindings for study of the Podil. The regular and clearly planned nature ofsettlement there is probably also characteristic of other parts of the city withless well-preserved remains. The regularity of the plots and the layout ofthe buildings strongly indicates that the land was originally owned by oneor two families.The social and ethnic structure of Kiev's population becomes less distinctduring this period. This may be due partly to a process of strong andcontinuous cultural integration. After all, by now some of the populationhad lived in Kiev for two generations or more. The rapidly diminishingnumber of pagan graves makes it difficult to trace different ethnic groups.The social structure is now best studied through architecture and the layoutof buildings and plots.VI. THE DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY KIEVThe rapid growth of Kiev from the late ninth century to the early eleventhcentury occurred not only in size, but also in social, economic, and politicallife. From a couple of small agrarian settlements in the ninth century, Kievgrew into an extensive settlement already in the first half of the tenth century.Probably the growth in settled territory during this period was fromca. 2-3 hectares to more than thirty hectares, that is, by a factor of morethan ten. Growth continued to be strong to the end of the eleventh century.From the middle to the end of the tenth century or the beginning of theeleventh century, Kiev's settled territory expanded to ca. 48-50 hectares.The structure of the early center of Kiev also changed considerably. Theagrarian settlements that existed in the Kiev area before the late ninth centuryprobably did not differ from other rural settlements in the region. It isuncertain whether these settlements were fortified or not.From the late ninth century a complex social structure came into being,producing a social stratification notable both in graves and in the architectureand layout of the town. The archaeological evidence seems to suggestthe existence of at least five social groups. Of course, princes together withtheir families were the ruling group. In the early phase, more than oneprincely residence seems to have stood in the topographically distinct partsof the settlement. A second stratum of the princes' high-ranking followers,retainers, and mercenaries is discernible in the grave material. Merchantsand artisans formed foreign colonies, but some were part of the princelyhouseholds. A stratum of low-ranking followers and household people