Construction of the Crimean Bridge, linking the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula with mainland Russia led to discovery of ancient Greek artefacts during underwater excavations in the area of the Ak-Burun Cape.
The most spectacular artefact among the finds is the head of a terracotta statue. According to archaeologists from the underwater unit of Russia’s Academy of Sciences, it is the first of its kind in the northern Black Sea area. Mass production of terracotta artefacts began in the 6th century BC. Usually, figurines not more than 40 centimetres high were made. However, the fragment unearthed during the recent excavations, is believed to have been part of a larger sculpture. So far the researchers behind the project established that for more than 2000 years, the Ak-Burun Cape area of the Kerch Bay had served as the main shipping conduit and base on the trade route connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Azov. Some of the transported ceramics were thrown into the sea after being damaged, so large deposits of ceramic objects made in various historic periods were formed near the local piers.
(after ITAR-TASS News Agency & Crimean bridge information center)