Crimea Beyond Empires: A 3D Collection of Materials on the Peninsula Was Presented in Odesa

The Odessa Archaeological Museum presented a one-day exhibition of 50 archaeological artifacts titled “Crimea Beyond Empires.” 

The exhibition featured both museum exhibits and 3D models created by Yaroslav Chentsov, a member of the nonprofit organization “Arhaika,” with whom Intent will soon publish an in-depth interview.

According to museum director Igor Pistruil, the Archaeological Museum’s collection includes many antiquities from medieval Crimea. 

“When the Russian Empire seized the territory of what is now the Odessa region, there were still a great many ancient artifacts here, but there was also a medieval cultural layer belonging to other peoples, including the Crimean Tatars. After the Society for History and Antiquities was established, its members conducted several expeditions to Crimea, where they documented local antiquities dating from ancient times through the medieval era; there was a great deal of material specifically related to the Crimean Tatar people,” the historian noted.

Unfortunately, according to the museum director, most of the medieval material was either destroyed or not properly studied, and this primarily concerned Crimean Tatar artifacts. Ihor Pistruil explains this by the fact that the material was relatively new, from a historical perspective, and did not particularly interest archaeologists. However, much has been preserved, so in honor of Crimean Tatar Flag Day, celebrated on June 26, they decided to present these artifacts to the general public.

Yaroslav Chentsov noted that the exhibition was organized in collaboration with the civic organization “Crimean Tatars of the Odesa Region.” The organization’s chairman, Fevzi Mamutov, a deputy of the Odesa Regional Council, said he was delighted with the presentation and with the fact that young people are promoting the idea of regional unity and understand the importance of demonstrating continuity between generations.

Кирило Бойко