Students Begin Georadar Survey on Prymorsky Boulevard to Locate Khadzhibey Castle Remains

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, have started a georadar survey of the central part of Primorsky Boulevard. Its goal is to find the remains of the foundation of Khadzhibey Castle, which was stormed in 1789 by de Ribas's troops.

Intent talked to the rector of UNPU Andriy Krasnohon.

As the rector explained, the students use special equipment that works on the principle of ultrasound. It scans the soil, recording electromagnetic waves reflected from underground objects.

"This is not a result, but preliminary signs of underground obstacles, the nature of which is yet to be determined. We know for sure and see that there are so-called anomalies. An anomaly is the reaction of electromagnetic waves to an underground, let's say, accumulation of stones, to the difference in soil density. It is felt based on the experience of previous years, but this time it is very, let's say, very active," said Krasnozhon.

At the same time, there is no exact confirmation that these structures are connected with the Khadzhibey Castle.

"We can say for sure that there is a cluster of some hard rocks at the depth we need, so to speak, which cannot be connected with modern communications," the rector added.

He emphasized that the expedition would not be working in an open area where they could dig anywhere, but in the very center of the city - on Prymorsky Boulevard, which is a cultural heritage site. There are many architectural monuments and tourist routes here, so our work must be clearly localized. It is important to choose the right excavation site, as the result of the research directly depends on it.

"It's also an expensive pleasure. We have to restore the original appearance of the boulevard after the excavations. That is, we have to restore the pavement and restore the concrete screed with tile covering. This is money. You can't throw it around," the source said.

According to Krasnozhon, the excavations are scheduled for the end of June. He also recalled that excavations on Prymorskyi Boulevard were already carried out in 2020 and 2021, but the area opposite the funicular has never been explored, and scientists predict that this is where the foundation of the Khadzhibey Castle may be located.

Recently, the Odesa Archaeological Museum of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, together with representatives of the NGO Archaica, digitized and created 3D models of Egyptian artifacts, Cypriot sculpture, and exhibits from Samarkand.

Андрій Колісніченко