Lion from the bottom of the sea

Archaeological institutions in the Crimea, like the whole fundamental science, are experiencing difficult times (see http://trv-scieence.ru/tag/krym/ ), but continue to work. In June 2015, the fifth joint underwater archaeological expedition of the Black Sea Center for Marine Studies and the State Hermitage on the flooded settlement of Acra ended.

Akra is a small port ancient city located at the southern tip of the Kerch Strait near Cape Takil. The city lasted from the end of the VI century BC. e. In the 4th century n. e. To the 4th century n. e. Under the pressure of the barbarians, the city was abandoned by the population, which was hidden in the capital of Bosporia - Panticapapay. As a result of tectonic changes in the basin of the Black Sea and the subsequent raising of the water level to the 10th century, the most part of Acra was flooded. A sparing wave regime and walls of buildings contributed to the excellent preservation of cultural strata, and a small depth leaves the city accessible to underwater archaeological research. Together, this makes the monument a unique object of underwater cultural heritage.

This year, on the territory of the settlement, when clearing the walls of the residential quarter, underwater archaeologists discovered an ancient earring with the image of a lion’s head - a symbol of the goddess Kibela, previously dated to the 3rd - 4 centuries BC. e. The earring was lost in the crack of the masonry, which ensured the excellent safety of the find. The subject is a wonderful example of jewelry, combining elements of casting, forging, soldering and drawing. The aesthetic value of the subject also leaves no doubt. Such an unexpected and well -preserved find immediately attracted the attention of the press. The find was transferred to the East Crimean Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve and is currently being studied by specialists.

In addition, when clearing the exploratory shurf, parts of various ceramics (including Chernolakova), amphor stigmas, bronze nails and a mysterious ceramic disk with a Greek inscription were found.

Natural conditions in the water area allow underwater excavations only at the end of spring - early summer, so excavations will resume at the site of a unique monument only a year later.

Ivan Gorlov, graduate student of the Moscow State University,
Member of the seminar "River, sea and underwater cultural heritage" at the Department of Museology of the Russian State University

Photo by the author