Yaroslav Chentsov gave a lecture on Crimea in Odessa

Yaroslav Chentsov, a Ukrainian archaeologist and historianand member of the “Arhaika” NGO ,gave a lecture at the Odessa Bookstore-Café on the project “Crimea Beyond Empires: A 3D Collection of Materials from the Medieval Peninsula.” He explained the origins of the Crimean artifacts on display inOdessa and the challenges researchers face when studying the material.

The project aims to showcase Crimea as a territory with a rich history of its own—one that did not always belong to empires.It restores agency to the peoples whose past has been erased for centuries, and also helps combat myths and counter Russian propaganda, which appropriates archaeological finds in the occupied territory.

The historian also raised the issue of preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage amid existential challenges. He explained that 50 uniqueartifacts (pottery, pipes, and building slabs from the Soldaya Fortress) have already been digitized. This allows Ukraine’s history to be preserved in 3D format. Each digitized object has undergone scientific verification and comparison with other historical finds. Among the exhibits are unique items, such as a 15th-century Iranian hookah.

Yaroslav Chentsov explained that the project was launched with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation and a grant program, and the idea itself emerged during collaboration with the Odessa Archaeological Museum.

The idea came about because, as a researcher, I actively collaborate with the Odessa Archaeological Museum and know that it houses many artifacts originating specifically from Crimea. Since I am a member of the NGO “Arhaika,” which is dedicated to preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage, this is where my academic interests converged.... “Crimean heritage aligns 100 percent with these objectives,” the historian said.

The scientific analysis of the artifacts was conducted through the lens of a decolonial approach.

3D models of theartifacts are available for free on Sketchfab and on the Odessa Archaeological Museum’s website. They can be viewed online.

In early July, Yaroslav Chentsov explained in an interview with Intent why he came up with the idea for this project and what myths the Russians had created about southern Ukraine.

Юлія Калабайда

Yaroslav Chentsov gave a lecture in Odessa on medieval Crimea

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