Russia completely destroyed a world-class landmark – Chersonesus Tavriyskyi

> Chersonesus Tavri/AP/EFREM LUKATSKY

Russian archaeologists and developers completely destroyed an authentic monument of world importance in Crimea – Chersones Tavri. A new open theater was built at the site of the excavations.

This was reported by “UP. Life” with reference to Evelina Kravchenko, a senior researcher at the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

The researcher told about this is at the 3rd International Forum of the Expert Network of the Crimean Platform. She emphasized that the Russians are destroying original architectural monuments and erecting new buildings in their place.

Now negative processes are taking place with the only monument of world importance, which we managed to nominate and put on the list sights in Crimea – with Chersonesus Tavriyskyi, – said Evelina Kravchenko.

It is noted that in 2015-2016, developers fenced off the archaeological remains located on the surface: towers, walls and columns with viewing platforms. Later, an amphitheatre was built on the site of the ancient citadel, and it carries a load of about a ton on the original structure.

In addition, a significant part of the found artifacts was taken to Russia: frescoes, dishes, household items and icons. After that, the construction of the archaeological park “New Chersonese” began on the site of the remains of the necropolis.

The Russians did not know anything about the geological situation at this place, so they began to remove the soil on the territory with ordinary excavators. Somehow they dug up an ancient spring there, so everything flooded, – shared Evelina Kravchenko.

Now, in fact, a new city has been built on the site of the archaeological remains. The archaeological park covers the old finds, and a number of excavated objects were gradually moved and rebuilt in another place.

What's more, where the settlement used to be located, the Russians erected the St. Volodymyr's Cathedral. It is consecrated by the Moscow Patriarchate and is subject to it.

Park on the territory hillforts of Tavrian Chersonesus/Evelina Kravchenko

More about Tavrian Chersonesus:

The ancient city of Tavrian Chersonesus is located on the territory of the Heraklion peninsula of Crimea. This is the largest monument of Byzantium in the world. Chersonesus existed 900 years before the creation of the Eastern Roman Empire. It was built in the 6th century. to n. e.

This historic city was one of the local centers of Hellenic civilization, which originated in the Northern Black Sea region and later spread to Asia Minor and the Mediterranean.

The first archaeological park in Ukraine was created on the basis of Chersonesus Tavriyskyi. It is an object of cultural heritage of Ukraine. On June 23, 2013, at the 37th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Cambodia, Chersonesus Tavri and its choir (agricultural district) were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

After the occupation of Crimea by Russia, the preservation of the integrity of Chersonesus Tavriysky became impossible. In 2015, the Russian army poured concrete over the site of an ancient manor on Cape Chersonese. Until now, the occupation authorities are constantly destroying the historical monument and looting it.

The amphitheater was built on the site of an ancient defensive citadel/Evelina Kravchenko