The territory of Ukraine was a key centre of East Slavic culture in the middle Ages, before being divided between varieties of powers. However, the history of Ukraine dates back many thousands of years. The territory has been settled continuously since at least 5000 BC, and is also a candidate site of the origins of the Proto-Indo-European language family. By the last quarter of the 9th century the ancient Rus state had been formed with the centre in Kyiv and under the leadership of Rurikovitch dynasty. Between the two centuries 10-11 Kiev Rus experienced a great development of culture, arts and written languages. At the end of the 12th century Kiev Rus was split into many small reign areas. As the result the process of the development of education and written language was impeded. Further development of Ukrainian lands was connected with the history of other countries and made influence on their culture and education. On the other hand, European traditions in education influenced the process of establishment of the first higher school in Kyiv in 1632 Collegiums and Lvov University, founded in 1661. Kyiv professors were among the most respected scholars. Many of them were invited to Moscow and Zagorsk and other scientific centers of the Russian empire. The 19th century was marked by the establishment of several universities, that Ukrainian education took pride in. In 1805 The University in Kharkov was founded (Eastern Ukraine), 1834 in Kyiv, and 1865 in Odessa. Rapid development of industry, agriculture and trade in Ukraine promoted the system of higher education. Technical and agricultural universities started to appear. Scientific researches were among priorities. The language of education was Russian.