In Chersonese, work is underway to monitor the cliff, the destruction of which threatens its ancient monuments

To assess the state of coastal archaeological sites and to plan measures for their protection, constant monitoring is required. For this purpose, modern geophysical methods used in the study of dangerous geological processes are used.

Planned work is carried out by the staff of the Departments of Underwater Archeology and Interdisciplinary Research of the Museum-Reserve, specialists of the St. Petersburg Mining University and Research Laboratory «Interdisciplinary Research of the Coastal Zone» of Sevastopol State University. This year, student interns of the Department of Physics of the Institute for Advanced Studies of the SevGU also take part in the work.

This is the second stage of comprehensive research to monitor the state of the coastal cliff on the territory of the ancient city. On the coastal cliff, subject to the destructive effects of abrasion, there are a number of valuable monuments. This season, a section of the coast near the Uvarovskaya Basilica has become an object of close attention. Next in line are the Six-Pillar Temple, the First Tower, curtain wall 28 of the ancient city’s defensive line…

The work is carried out using modern methods of geophysics: ground penetrating radar, non-contact electrical tomography and seismic 3D— translucence. This innovative approach allows you to determine the structure and condition of the coastal cliff. The purpose of the field season research in 2023 in the area of ​​the Uvarov Basilica is to identify hidden fractures in the coastal rock mass, localize and monitor the formation of a separation crack, and assess stability. Work is also underway in the Port area of ​​Chersonese, where the ancient coastline of Karantinnaya Bay is being reconstructed using seismoacoustic and electro-tomographic methods.

Author of the article: A. A. Bukatov, Head of the Department of Underwater Archeology of the Museum-Reserve Tauric Chersonese

source: press service of the museum-reserve Tauric Chersonesus