Tsar Kurgan (Kerch)
The Tsar Kurgan ( Ukrainian Царський курган Zarskyj kurgan , Russian Царский курган ) from the 4th century BC. BC is one of the most impressive barrows ( Kurgane ) in the Crimea . It is located in Kerch , a city on the eastern edge of the Crimea, which emerged from the city of Pantikapaion (Παντικάπαιον) founded by Miletus .
Around 200 barrows can be seen in the middle of the city of Kerch and in its immediate vicinity. The Tsar's Kurgan is located in the northeast of the city, about 5 km from the center, near the monument to the "Defense of the Adzhymushkai Quarries" (Оборона Аджимушкайских каменоломен). The mound of earth is almost 20 meters high and has a circumference of around 250 meters at the bottom. It contains a grave chamber with a square floor plan (4.39 × 4.35 meters), which gradually merges into the circular shape of a precisely laid out corrugated stone dome (" false vault "). The total height of the burial chamber is 8.84 meters. Also impressive is the generous dromos , a 2.80 meter wide and 37 meter long, pointed gable entrance corridor, which is also executed in corbel construction. Both parts of the building are made of yellowish limestone blocks and have a floor made of a tamped mixture of clay, lime and limestone.
It is believed that the Tsar's Kurgan, a masterpiece of ancient architecture, was the final resting place of a ruler of the Bosporan Empire . That originated in the 5th century BC. From the Greek colonies in the northern Black Sea region and on the Sea of Azov . The Kurgan could in particular the grave of I. Leukon have been. The Kurgan was opened during excavations between 1833 and 1837. However, it only contained the remains of a wooden sarcophagus, so it was likely that it had been robbed a long time ago. Christian symbols carved on the walls suggest that the tomb served as a refuge and place of worship for early Christians.
There is also a lapidarium within the fence around the burial mound . This small museum shows objects from ancient times, such as grave steles, sarcophagi and pedestals.
Individual evidence
- ^ A. Grossmann, Die Krim , Reise Know-How Verlag, Bielefeld 2012, ISBN 978-3-8317-2042-2 , p. 345
- ^ Extract from Archaeological Walks in Ancient Kerch (Russian)
- ↑ Гайдукевич В.Ф. Боспорское царство. - М.-Л .: Изд-во АН СССР, 1949, с.246-250. ( German Bosporan Empire )
literature
- Зинько В. Н. Археологические прогулки по античной Керчи.- Керчь, 1998. (German: Archaeological walks in ancient Kerch )
Web links
Coordinates: 45 ° 22 ′ 26 ″ N , 36 ° 31 ′ 33 ″ E