Ancient Greek City Uncovered in Russia [Temple of Demeter]

EU Greek Reporter ^ | May 8, 2011 | Tania Mourtzila

[SunkenCiv]

What is considered to be a unique discovery has been made in Taman, South Russia, at the Black Sea. The ruins of an ancient Greek city, dated around the 6th century BC, came to light. Archeologists are stunned both by the number of the findingsand the condition they were found in.

The excavations are proceeding with extreme caution, in order to avoid damaging the city's ancient fortress. According to historians, it is assumed that the ruins are the temple of Dimitra, the ancient goddess of fertility and agriculture, while they were able to determine the very spot of the altar. But, the number of the findings induce them to believe that a whole city has been found.

The conditions of the excavations are being extremely difficult due to how remote the place is, the lack of running water, the very cold weather ( up to -25 C during the night ). Another difficulty is the lack of money, which for the moments is being aided with the help of volunteers who are paying 13 euros a day each to participate.

[SunkenCiv]

[SunkenCiv]

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[SunkenCiv]

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Empires and Barbarians: The Fall of Rome and the Birth of Europe by Peter Heather Paperback Kindle

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[UCANSEE2]

“The conditions of the excavations are being extremely difficult due to how remote the place is, the lack of running water, the very cold weather ( up to -25 C during the night ). “

That would imply that , in the past, the weather in that spot was much, much different.

Perhaps, given time, weather pattern’s move. Maybe we are just starting to notice it, based on the ability to compile and evaluate several hundred years of data.

Either that, or this spot is proof that global warming is BS.

[Cowboy Bob]

Cool! That’s about a 2 hour drive from where I live. I hadn’t heard anything about it yet. (BTW, this is in the heart of Russia’s wine region!)

[FlyingEagle]

Not too far a way, in Crimea, adjacent to the port at Sevastopol, is another Greek city of similar era. Link to photos.

Ruins of a greek city Chersonesus near black sea in Sevastopol, Ukraine
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-50205925/stock-photo-ruines-of-a-greek-city-chersonesus-near-black-sea-in-sevastopol-ukraine.html

I have been there, it is large and impressive.

[Cowboy Bob]

The conditions of the excavations are being extremely difficult due to how remote the place is, the lack of running water, the very cold weather ( up to -25 C during the night ).

This is BS. It's Russia's warmest region.

[SunkenCiv]

Ovid was exiled to somewhere in that area, and he didn’t care for the weather, or for the fact that he started speaking Scythian like a native. :’)

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

[UCANSEE2]

It's Russia's warmest region.

Well, what do they consider 'warm' in Russia?

[UCANSEE2]

or for the fact that he started speaking Scythian like a native

"Sufferin suckotash. I speak Scythian."

[TigersEye]

I demand that Russia pull out of occupied Greece and roll back the borders to pre-6th century BC!

[5thGenTexan]

Right of Return!

[gogogodzilla]

the lack of running water

Wow, the article thinks that it's odd that a wilderness area doesn't have running water. Amazing.

I'm thinking this journalist needs a massive smack to the side of the head for his idiocy.

[Cowboy Bob]

Well, what do they consider 'warm' in Russia?

Well, there are palm trees just down the coast. To get a better idea about the area, you should "google" Anapa, Russia. There is a pretty good Wikipedia article about it, and the area.

[SunkenCiv]

:’)

[UCANSEE2]

Thanks. I might do that.

Do you think it is likely the ‘climate’ was more beneficial to agriculture back when this temple was built, or do you think it has stayed the same?

[TigersEye]

I need to get to work on one of those genealogical sites while this issue is trending and try to lay claim to a large estate in Scotland. Preferably one with a well-kept castle already on it. ;^)

[UCANSEE2]

I would assume the author meant a water source like a river.

That is also what I was concerned about. If there is no nearby source of water, how good an ‘agricultural’ area would it be that a temple would be built there.

Of course, because it may have no water source today doesn’t mean it didn’t have one then.

[Cowboy Bob]

Do you think it is likely the ‘climate’ was more beneficial to agriculture back when this temple was built, or do you think it has stayed the same?

I think the climate is the same today as it was back then. This is Russia's wine growing region. The region traces its history back to the time when the Greeks were colonizing the region!

I've been told by many people that this is the land of the "Amazons" (from mythology), and just down the coast in Georgia is where the "Golden Fleece" was located.