23 June 2014

The 10th anniversary archeological season kicks off in Phanagoria, on the Taman peninsula in the Krasnodar region of Southern Russia. Phanagorian expedition supported by Oleg Deripaska’s Volnoe Delo Foundation and the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Archaeology will last until early September.

About 200 people are taking part in the expedition on the Taman peninsula. Among them are students of the Kuban State University and the University of Magnitogorsk, as well as joint team of students from Krasnodar, St.Petersburg, Orenburg, Voronezh and other Russian cities.

Excavation works cover several areas that include the 2,500-square-metre acropolis at the centre of the ancient city, the eastern necropolis, an ancient cemetery that served as a burial place from the very founding of the city, and a submerged part of the city. What makes the expedition unique is the mix of diversified specialists working together. Apart from archeologists and historians, there are anthropologists, soil scientists, paleozoologists, numismatists and other researchers. A complex approach to the study of Phanagoria’s cultural relics helps to restore the residents’ way of living, religious beliefs, economic cooperation, as well as their roles in military conflicts.

Participants of the expedition are planning to explore the most ancient cultural layers of the acropolis which date back to 6-5 BC. It’s planned to expand the excavation site what would help to unearth more finds.

Diggings at the eastern necropolis will be carried out on the place of the future state archeological museum that will be raised there. Archeologists will also explore an ancient tomb found at Phanagoria site.

Underwater squad, working at the submerged part of Phanagoria, will continue seabed’s exploration with the help of up-to-date equipment that spots and research so-called “anomalies” – areas preserving ancient objects of interest buried under thick layer of deposits.

During the 10th archeological season, the specialists will continue to study one of the most precious findings unearthed at Phanagoria in 2012 – a 15-metre-long sunken Byzantine ship.
Vladimir Kuznetsov, Doctor of historical sciences and the head of the Phanagorian expedition:

“We expect even more interesting findings this year as we have closely approached the early days of Phanagoria. I’m happy that we see a progress in creating an archeological museum in Phangoria. It’s an important milestone not only for our expedition but for the whole scientific community.”