Excavations at Eski-Kermen Site in 2019

Abstract

2019 archaeological studies allow to define the layout of the central part of the medieval town on Eski-Kermen plateau, Crimea. The central part of the town included the main basilica with a square approximately 5 m wide in front of it. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the last period of the town’s existence, the western part of the square was closed by a parapet made of massive limestone blocks. Behind the parapet were residential quarters with two-storey tiled manors. The project resulted in the discovery of evidence preservation of religious life on the plateau and in the 14th century. In slab-graves cleared out in 2018–2019 the archaeo­logists first discovered a silver coin of Ozbeg Khan, coined in 1320–1341, as well as golden earrings (the 14th century) in the shape of a question mark, and a clay jar (the 14–15th centuries). All graves of the first half of the 14th century were dug in a destruction stratum dated late 13th century. Probably, after most quarters perished in fire, the townspeople continued resi­ding in a central part of the town. Most likely, at the end of the 13th and 14th centuries a chapel was added to the main basilica. In 1930s the researchers found by the basilica a tomb model of the 14th century cross-in-square temple carved from local limestone now kept in Hermi­tage museum.