Ancient Necropolis Discovered by Ukrainian Soldiers During Fortification Work

During the construction of the fortifications, the TRO soldiers discovered an ancient necropolis dating back to the 6th and 5th centuries BC, including an Ionian amphora and a Corinthian oinochoe. The artifacts, along with human remains, were transferred to the museum, which will allow for a deeper exploration of the history of the region.

This was reported by the press service of the 123rd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ordinary engineering work on the construction of fortifications in southern Ukraine turned into an important archaeological event. Soldiers of the 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade accidentally stumbled upon an ancient burial site.

PHOTO: 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

During the excavation work, excavator Mykola noticed an unusual ceramic object in the soil - a small amphora. Realizing that the object could be valuable, he turned to his friend Yevhen, who is interested in history. Together, they decided to transfer the find to the Staroflotski Barracks Museum.

The museum's experts confirmed that the artifact was an Ionian amphora used in funerary rituals. Further analysis of the discovered objects showed that the construction site of the fortifications is an ancient necropolis dating back to the VI-V centuries BC.

PHOTO: 123rd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

In addition to the amphora, the researchers drew attention to another unique find - a Corinthian oinochoi vessel. This pitcher, which had one handle and three spouts, was used to pour wine during traditional Greek feasts, the symposia. The excellent condition of the artifacts testifies to the high social status of the people buried here.

These items are part of the funeral rite and were specially imported from Greece. Itis important that the dishes remained intact, which indicates the high status of the buried people," explained soldier Oleksandr, a former archaeologist.

In addition to the artifacts, the military handed over human remains found during the excavations to the museum. Such finds are of great value for researching the history of the region, as they help to better understand the life, traditions and culture of the ancient peoples who once inhabited this territory.

In Mykolaiv, the cultural heritage has suffered significant damage from the shelling, but the MY ART team has become a key driver in its preservation and restoration. In 2024, the organization actively worked on the restoration of the exposition of the Mykolaiv Regional Museum of Local Lore, which suffered the most from enemy attacks.

Recently, the Mykolaiv Museum of Shipbuilding and Fleet has begun a large-scale digitization of its archives. For a month and a half, a team of specialists will use modern equipment to digitize rare maritime collections, books on navigation and old prints from the pre-revolutionary period.

Анна Літман