Archaeologists find the wall of an ancient building underground in the middle of Odesa

An archaeological expedition of Ushynsky University and the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine found the walls of ancient buildings on Prymorskyi Boulevard in Odesa.

This was announced by the rector of the university, Andrii Krasnozhen.

"The question for experts in the history of Odesa is what is this; the orientation of the side to the northeast? In terms of understanding the general stratigraphy of the excavation, this discovered wall helped us a lot, because we are working in the middle of an active city. It is nice that the expedition has become a separate object of Odesa's cultural heritage and the focus of local excursion routes," the scientist noted.

One of the walls, according to the researcher, turned out to be part of the 1902 funicular, the very first in the history of Odesa. Right under the rubble and concrete, they found hewn stone masonry built with clay mortar dating back to the 18th century. Therefore, archaeologists do not rule out that they have stumbled upon the wall of the artillery battery of the Khadjibey fortress and soon hope to find the fortress itself.

"Given the location, the nature of the masonry, and the plans of the 18th century, we may be dealing with a fragment of the seaside wall of the artillery battery of the Khadjibey fortress. This wall supported the earthen rampart on which the cannons that controlled the entrance to the harbor stood. It was low, but strong - exactly as described in archival documents and depicted on the surviving plans," explained Andrii Krasnozhon to the Dumska publication.

Earlier, students of the South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after Ushynsky and employees of the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine found Roman pottery and building blocks at the foot of the monument to Duke de Richelieu on Prymorskyi Boulevard in Odesa.

In March, students of the South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after Ushynsky, together with specialists from the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, began a GPR survey of the central part of Prymorsky Boulevard. Its results determined the location of the current excavations.

Excavations on Prymorskyi Boulevard have already been carried out in 2020 and 2021, but the area opposite the funicular has never been explored, and, according to scientists, this is where the foundation of the Khadzhibey Castle may be located.

In particular, during the research in 2021, more than a thousand artifacts were found in the chronological range from antiquity to the period of occupation of Odesa and several construction sites from the 18th century were recorded.

Кирило Бойко