Journal of Multidisciplinary Research. New Approaches and Data, 2024
The chora of the antique city of Olbia is full of synchronous settlements that ensured the polis ... more The chora of the antique city of Olbia is full of synchronous settlements that ensured the polis existence at different stages of its functioning. In the paper new data on the sanctuary-ashmound structure of the 5th-4th centuries BC near Katalyne village, a fortified settlement of the 1st-3rd centuries AD Kozyrka I, as well as the Roman fort Kamianka V, which in the first century AD was located on the northwestern border of the Olbian state, is presented. At the Katalyne ashmound, anomalies in the centre of the embankment are associated with anthropogenic activity of the antique period. The embankment is located next to a modern road, which, in turn, crosses a prominent rectangular structure, which probably is also dated to the Antiquity. The magnetic map of the hillfort Kozyrka I shows advanced stone building, and materials with a high content of ferromagnets, such as clay and brick, were also used in the construction. The structure of the geomagnetic field on the hills of the lower terrace of the settlement indicates the presence of a cultural layer here. The geomagnetic survey of the eastern part of the Kamianka V fort revealed the presence of double fortified moats and allowed us to clearly establish the geometry of the inner eastern fortification of the fort. The work carried out has shown the need to expand the scope of geophysical surveys, including the periphery of the Roman fort and the nearby burial mound.
In the article, on the basis of the discovered sites, new areas of the Roman garrison location ar... more In the article, on the basis of the discovered sites, new areas of the Roman garrison location are revealed, in the form of seven barracks (contubernia), which were added to the defensive wall and tower at the Lower city of Olbia Pontica. At the lateral quarter, which belonged to the Roman officer, there were found marble bases of the internal columns with the name of the centurion M. Emilius Severinus of the Legio I Italica. The architectural complex located to the south of the barracks in its layout resembles administrative buildings of the Roman camps like a principia – the officers’ house, which consisted of a number of rooms located along the perimeter around the courtyard: with a separate kithen, a dining room, a central sanctuary room (aedes principiorum), where were stored legionary signs (signa militaria), altars, and statues of deities and emperors. This can be evidenced by the architectural details found during the excavations, terracotta in the shape of eagles and Roman soldiers, Roman weapons and equipment. A similar arrangement of barracks in Olbia is known on the citadel, under the Northern defensive wall. The problem of interpretation of the praetorium building in Olbia is also considered, some quarters of which could serve as Roman barracks. The construction of the barrack blocks and headquarters buildings can be attributed to the second half of the 2nd century AD – the time of the stationary Roman garrison appearance in Olbia.
In the article some categories of items found at Berezan island and testifying the Roman military... more In the article some categories of items found at Berezan island and testifying the Roman military presence are discussed. The proposal for accommodation of Roman troops units on the island are confirmed in the form of: architectural remains, some types of amphorae, a bronze eagle, medical instruments, numismatic material and Roman military ammunition.
Coins from the excavations of the «T-4» site in 2018—2020, located in the Terrace City of Olbia, ... more Coins from the excavations of the «T-4» site in 2018—2020, located in the Terrace City of Olbia, are introduced into scientific circulation. The total number of coins found during three years of research is 154 items, half of which are dolphin-shaped coins. These include a treasure of coins and bronze items, which, in particular, contained 26 casted dolphin-shaped coins. The coin in the shape of a «wheel» from the West Pontic city of Istria also belongs to the Classical period. Coins of the Hellenistic era from the excavations at the «T-4» sector are represented by denominations with images of Apollo, Demeter and the eagle on a dolphin, Tyche in a crown in the shape of a tower and an archer, and borysthenes coins. Among the numismatic monuments of this time is a rare coin of the city of Byzantium of the IV c. BC, which confirms the evidence of the Olbian inscription (НО 9) on trade contacts between these cities during the Hellenistic period. The latest coins of the pre-Getae Olbia are represented by coins of the Asia Minor city of Amis, which are dated by the end of the II — the first half of the I c. BC. These are tetrachalkos with images of the Ares head in a helmet and a sword in sheath, and Aegis with the head of Medusa and Nike. Their appearance in Olbia is associated with the inclusion of the city in the Pontic state of Mithradates VI Eupator, in particular the localization of the Pontic garrison in Olbia. Coins of Roman times are represented by Olbian assarius such as Zeus / eagle of the middle of the I c. AD, dupondius of the second half of the II c, AD and a tressis depicting the Roman Empress Julia Mamaeia, which belongs to the last series of monetary units of the Olbian autonomous minting. In general, the available numismatic material from the excavations of the T-4 site is dated from the second half of the VI c. BC, and until the cessation of coinage in the second third of the III c. AD, i. e. covers all major chronological periods of existence of Olbian polis.
The article introduces a marble bust of the Mithras deity, which was found in 2010 in a pit of th... more The article introduces a marble bust of the Mithras deity, which was found in 2010 in a pit of the 2nd — 3rd centuries AD during excavations at the “R-25” sector in the Upper city of Olbia. Based on the iconography of the sculpture, side and frontal holes, with remnants of rust from the iron rods intended for fastening, it should be assumed that it could have been a part of Mithras Tauroctone sculpture, which is slaying the bull. Such sculptural image of Mithras was found for the first time in the Northern Black Sea region, and has analogies in the sanctuaries of the European and Asia Minor provinces of the Roman Empire. At this time the cult of Mithras became widespread among the Roman army, in particular in the Danube provinces, from where, as part of Roman vexillations, it came to the antique centers of the Northern Black Sea area. His veneration in Olbia is confirmed by the finds of four marble votive relief slabs pieces. On the same sector, in the Roman layer, marble statues fragments, architectural details, an altar, and the lower part of a marble relief depicting a horse’s or a bull’s leg were found, which may be the parts of this sculpture, since they are made of the same kind of marble. In the Northern Black Sea region finds of votive slabs, sculptural images of Mithras, and Latin inscriptions dedicated to this deity mark the points of deployment of the Roman troops. The published marble bust may have come from the mithraeum — a sanctuary associated with the cult of Mithras, which appears in Olbia as a result of a stay of the Roman garrison in the city in the second half of the 2nd — first half of the 3rd centuries AD. Since all finds related to the cult of Mithras in Olbia were found on the territory of the citadel, the presence of mithraeum should be assumed in the Upper city.
The article introduces clay figurines of eagles and terracotta of a Roman soldier, which were fou... more The article introduces clay figurines of eagles and terracotta of a Roman soldier, which were found during excavations at the Lower City of Olbia in the 1930—1940-ies, and are kept in the National Museum of the History of Ukraine. The iconography of the eagles is similar to the terracotta statuette of an eagle found in the praetorium building in the Upper City of Olbia. The series of rooms, in which the eagle figurines were found, belong to the Roman garrison structures, which were located in the port area of the city. Terracotta eagle figurines could be used in military sanctuaries, and imitate Roman military standards, or be associated with the worship of Jupiter. Analogies to these products are known from the Roman fortresses on the Danube and in Dacia province. The fragment of terracotta with a shield was a part of a Roman soldier figurine with hanging limbs. The warrior was depicted wearing a Roman military cloak (sagum). This indicates his higher rank, in contrast to the soldiers dressed in tunics. In his left hand he holds a shield (clipeus), which depicts a deity in armor, with rays above his head. The terracotta depicts warriors armed with gladius, and belted with a Roman military belt (cingulum militare). They depict the servicemen of the auxiliary troops of the Roman army — auxilia, or, given the non-standard shape of their shields, the sailors of the Moesian fleet (milites classiarii), whose units were stationed in Olbia, as is known from the epigraphic finds. The places of their finds mark the points of deployment of the Roman troops in the Northern Black Sea region. These terracottas could serve as votives in ritual rites associated with the cult of Mithras, which appears in Olbia as a result of the Roman garrison deployment in the city during the second half of the 2nd — first half of the 3rd c. AD.
The article examines the epitaph of the Roman soldier’s tombstone, which was found in 2004 at the... more The article examines the epitaph of the Roman soldier’s tombstone, which was found in 2004 at the necropolis of Olbia. A few years later, in 2009, 20 m from the place of the find, a male burial of the end of 2nd — 3rd c. CE was investigated, in which the remains of Roman soldier’s shoes were found. In this regard, an assumption about a direct connection between the tombstone and the place of the man’s burial was made. If this comparison is justified, it can be assumed that the buried was a soldier-veteran who served his time during 26 years in the I Italica legion of the Roman army — Gaius Valerius Victor, the tombstone to whom was made by T. Aurelio Piscinus, probably a fellow soldier
Εμινακο. Археологія Східної Європи первісної доби, 2018
The paper describes the structure number 21 studied in 2016-2017 on the outskirts of the Dikiy Sa... more The paper describes the structure number 21 studied in 2016-2017 on the outskirts of the Dikiy Sad hillfort. An analysis of the materials found in it allows suggesting that a bone carver with his family could live there. Opposite this structure, in research of the internal moat of the settlement, a large quantity of bone produced items were found, directly related to the bone-carving production in this workshop. A separate dwelling, associated with the bone-carving production dated to the Late Bronze Age, is a unique example for the territory of Eastern Europe, and possibly for the entire steppe zone of Eurasia. This confirms the significance of Dikiy Sad hillfort, since, thus, specialized craft workshops functioned there, which probably sold their production items not only in the internal «market» of the settlement, but exported them as well. An interesting point is a large quantity of bone produced items in the inner moat of the settlement, opposite this dwelling, as well as the context of their location. This confirms the conclusion that the inner moat of the citadel could be used not only for defensive purposes, but also as a kind of ash pit, where ritual offerings were made.
The article presents the results of preliminary research at recently discovered Roman military ca... more The article presents the results of preliminary research at recently discovered Roman military camps on the territory of Olbian chora. Their location testifies for the existence of the defensive system of limes type in the Lower Buh River region. Non-standard planning of one of the forts indicates that there were two co-existent sub-units of the Roman army in it which held strategically important position in the Steppe, at the north-western borders of the Olbian state. The materials found during the excavations allowed the author to date the erecting of the fort by the second half of the 1st century AD. It coincides with a series of important historic events in the Black Sea north region. Besides, the chronological span and the type of fortification building allow connecting the fort with the auxiliary troops (auxilia) mentioned in Olbian Decree from Manhup, which were sent to help the Olbiopolitei from the Moesia Province in the absolute necessity moment under outside appointed pressure of definite groups of the nomadic tribes. The commander of this vexillatio was probably M. Aemilius Severinus, a centurion of Legio I Italica. Keywords: castellum, Roman fort, Olbia, Roman Empire, limes, Sarmatians.
Journal of Multidisciplinary Research. New Approaches and Data, 2024
The chora of the antique city of Olbia is full of synchronous settlements that ensured the polis ... more The chora of the antique city of Olbia is full of synchronous settlements that ensured the polis existence at different stages of its functioning. In the paper new data on the sanctuary-ashmound structure of the 5th-4th centuries BC near Katalyne village, a fortified settlement of the 1st-3rd centuries AD Kozyrka I, as well as the Roman fort Kamianka V, which in the first century AD was located on the northwestern border of the Olbian state, is presented. At the Katalyne ashmound, anomalies in the centre of the embankment are associated with anthropogenic activity of the antique period. The embankment is located next to a modern road, which, in turn, crosses a prominent rectangular structure, which probably is also dated to the Antiquity. The magnetic map of the hillfort Kozyrka I shows advanced stone building, and materials with a high content of ferromagnets, such as clay and brick, were also used in the construction. The structure of the geomagnetic field on the hills of the lower terrace of the settlement indicates the presence of a cultural layer here. The geomagnetic survey of the eastern part of the Kamianka V fort revealed the presence of double fortified moats and allowed us to clearly establish the geometry of the inner eastern fortification of the fort. The work carried out has shown the need to expand the scope of geophysical surveys, including the periphery of the Roman fort and the nearby burial mound.
In the article, on the basis of the discovered sites, new areas of the Roman garrison location ar... more In the article, on the basis of the discovered sites, new areas of the Roman garrison location are revealed, in the form of seven barracks (contubernia), which were added to the defensive wall and tower at the Lower city of Olbia Pontica. At the lateral quarter, which belonged to the Roman officer, there were found marble bases of the internal columns with the name of the centurion M. Emilius Severinus of the Legio I Italica. The architectural complex located to the south of the barracks in its layout resembles administrative buildings of the Roman camps like a principia – the officers’ house, which consisted of a number of rooms located along the perimeter around the courtyard: with a separate kithen, a dining room, a central sanctuary room (aedes principiorum), where were stored legionary signs (signa militaria), altars, and statues of deities and emperors. This can be evidenced by the architectural details found during the excavations, terracotta in the shape of eagles and Roman soldiers, Roman weapons and equipment. A similar arrangement of barracks in Olbia is known on the citadel, under the Northern defensive wall. The problem of interpretation of the praetorium building in Olbia is also considered, some quarters of which could serve as Roman barracks. The construction of the barrack blocks and headquarters buildings can be attributed to the second half of the 2nd century AD – the time of the stationary Roman garrison appearance in Olbia.
In the article some categories of items found at Berezan island and testifying the Roman military... more In the article some categories of items found at Berezan island and testifying the Roman military presence are discussed. The proposal for accommodation of Roman troops units on the island are confirmed in the form of: architectural remains, some types of amphorae, a bronze eagle, medical instruments, numismatic material and Roman military ammunition.
Coins from the excavations of the «T-4» site in 2018—2020, located in the Terrace City of Olbia, ... more Coins from the excavations of the «T-4» site in 2018—2020, located in the Terrace City of Olbia, are introduced into scientific circulation. The total number of coins found during three years of research is 154 items, half of which are dolphin-shaped coins. These include a treasure of coins and bronze items, which, in particular, contained 26 casted dolphin-shaped coins. The coin in the shape of a «wheel» from the West Pontic city of Istria also belongs to the Classical period. Coins of the Hellenistic era from the excavations at the «T-4» sector are represented by denominations with images of Apollo, Demeter and the eagle on a dolphin, Tyche in a crown in the shape of a tower and an archer, and borysthenes coins. Among the numismatic monuments of this time is a rare coin of the city of Byzantium of the IV c. BC, which confirms the evidence of the Olbian inscription (НО 9) on trade contacts between these cities during the Hellenistic period. The latest coins of the pre-Getae Olbia are represented by coins of the Asia Minor city of Amis, which are dated by the end of the II — the first half of the I c. BC. These are tetrachalkos with images of the Ares head in a helmet and a sword in sheath, and Aegis with the head of Medusa and Nike. Their appearance in Olbia is associated with the inclusion of the city in the Pontic state of Mithradates VI Eupator, in particular the localization of the Pontic garrison in Olbia. Coins of Roman times are represented by Olbian assarius such as Zeus / eagle of the middle of the I c. AD, dupondius of the second half of the II c, AD and a tressis depicting the Roman Empress Julia Mamaeia, which belongs to the last series of monetary units of the Olbian autonomous minting. In general, the available numismatic material from the excavations of the T-4 site is dated from the second half of the VI c. BC, and until the cessation of coinage in the second third of the III c. AD, i. e. covers all major chronological periods of existence of Olbian polis.
The article introduces a marble bust of the Mithras deity, which was found in 2010 in a pit of th... more The article introduces a marble bust of the Mithras deity, which was found in 2010 in a pit of the 2nd — 3rd centuries AD during excavations at the “R-25” sector in the Upper city of Olbia. Based on the iconography of the sculpture, side and frontal holes, with remnants of rust from the iron rods intended for fastening, it should be assumed that it could have been a part of Mithras Tauroctone sculpture, which is slaying the bull. Such sculptural image of Mithras was found for the first time in the Northern Black Sea region, and has analogies in the sanctuaries of the European and Asia Minor provinces of the Roman Empire. At this time the cult of Mithras became widespread among the Roman army, in particular in the Danube provinces, from where, as part of Roman vexillations, it came to the antique centers of the Northern Black Sea area. His veneration in Olbia is confirmed by the finds of four marble votive relief slabs pieces. On the same sector, in the Roman layer, marble statues fragments, architectural details, an altar, and the lower part of a marble relief depicting a horse’s or a bull’s leg were found, which may be the parts of this sculpture, since they are made of the same kind of marble. In the Northern Black Sea region finds of votive slabs, sculptural images of Mithras, and Latin inscriptions dedicated to this deity mark the points of deployment of the Roman troops. The published marble bust may have come from the mithraeum — a sanctuary associated with the cult of Mithras, which appears in Olbia as a result of a stay of the Roman garrison in the city in the second half of the 2nd — first half of the 3rd centuries AD. Since all finds related to the cult of Mithras in Olbia were found on the territory of the citadel, the presence of mithraeum should be assumed in the Upper city.
The article introduces clay figurines of eagles and terracotta of a Roman soldier, which were fou... more The article introduces clay figurines of eagles and terracotta of a Roman soldier, which were found during excavations at the Lower City of Olbia in the 1930—1940-ies, and are kept in the National Museum of the History of Ukraine. The iconography of the eagles is similar to the terracotta statuette of an eagle found in the praetorium building in the Upper City of Olbia. The series of rooms, in which the eagle figurines were found, belong to the Roman garrison structures, which were located in the port area of the city. Terracotta eagle figurines could be used in military sanctuaries, and imitate Roman military standards, or be associated with the worship of Jupiter. Analogies to these products are known from the Roman fortresses on the Danube and in Dacia province. The fragment of terracotta with a shield was a part of a Roman soldier figurine with hanging limbs. The warrior was depicted wearing a Roman military cloak (sagum). This indicates his higher rank, in contrast to the soldiers dressed in tunics. In his left hand he holds a shield (clipeus), which depicts a deity in armor, with rays above his head. The terracotta depicts warriors armed with gladius, and belted with a Roman military belt (cingulum militare). They depict the servicemen of the auxiliary troops of the Roman army — auxilia, or, given the non-standard shape of their shields, the sailors of the Moesian fleet (milites classiarii), whose units were stationed in Olbia, as is known from the epigraphic finds. The places of their finds mark the points of deployment of the Roman troops in the Northern Black Sea region. These terracottas could serve as votives in ritual rites associated with the cult of Mithras, which appears in Olbia as a result of the Roman garrison deployment in the city during the second half of the 2nd — first half of the 3rd c. AD.
The article examines the epitaph of the Roman soldier’s tombstone, which was found in 2004 at the... more The article examines the epitaph of the Roman soldier’s tombstone, which was found in 2004 at the necropolis of Olbia. A few years later, in 2009, 20 m from the place of the find, a male burial of the end of 2nd — 3rd c. CE was investigated, in which the remains of Roman soldier’s shoes were found. In this regard, an assumption about a direct connection between the tombstone and the place of the man’s burial was made. If this comparison is justified, it can be assumed that the buried was a soldier-veteran who served his time during 26 years in the I Italica legion of the Roman army — Gaius Valerius Victor, the tombstone to whom was made by T. Aurelio Piscinus, probably a fellow soldier
Εμινακο. Археологія Східної Європи первісної доби, 2018
The paper describes the structure number 21 studied in 2016-2017 on the outskirts of the Dikiy Sa... more The paper describes the structure number 21 studied in 2016-2017 on the outskirts of the Dikiy Sad hillfort. An analysis of the materials found in it allows suggesting that a bone carver with his family could live there. Opposite this structure, in research of the internal moat of the settlement, a large quantity of bone produced items were found, directly related to the bone-carving production in this workshop. A separate dwelling, associated with the bone-carving production dated to the Late Bronze Age, is a unique example for the territory of Eastern Europe, and possibly for the entire steppe zone of Eurasia. This confirms the significance of Dikiy Sad hillfort, since, thus, specialized craft workshops functioned there, which probably sold their production items not only in the internal «market» of the settlement, but exported them as well. An interesting point is a large quantity of bone produced items in the inner moat of the settlement, opposite this dwelling, as well as the context of their location. This confirms the conclusion that the inner moat of the citadel could be used not only for defensive purposes, but also as a kind of ash pit, where ritual offerings were made.
The article presents the results of preliminary research at recently discovered Roman military ca... more The article presents the results of preliminary research at recently discovered Roman military camps on the territory of Olbian chora. Their location testifies for the existence of the defensive system of limes type in the Lower Buh River region. Non-standard planning of one of the forts indicates that there were two co-existent sub-units of the Roman army in it which held strategically important position in the Steppe, at the north-western borders of the Olbian state. The materials found during the excavations allowed the author to date the erecting of the fort by the second half of the 1st century AD. It coincides with a series of important historic events in the Black Sea north region. Besides, the chronological span and the type of fortification building allow connecting the fort with the auxiliary troops (auxilia) mentioned in Olbian Decree from Manhup, which were sent to help the Olbiopolitei from the Moesia Province in the absolute necessity moment under outside appointed pressure of definite groups of the nomadic tribes. The commander of this vexillatio was probably M. Aemilius Severinus, a centurion of Legio I Italica. Keywords: castellum, Roman fort, Olbia, Roman Empire, limes, Sarmatians.
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Papers by Roman Kozlenko
rooms located along the perimeter around the courtyard: with a separate kithen, a dining room, a central sanctuary room (aedes principiorum), where were stored legionary signs (signa militaria), altars, and statues of deities and emperors. This can be evidenced by the architectural details found during the excavations, terracotta in the shape of eagles and Roman soldiers, Roman weapons and equipment. A similar arrangement of barracks in Olbia is known on the citadel, under the Northern defensive wall. The problem of interpretation of the praetorium building in Olbia is also considered, some quarters of which could serve as Roman barracks. The construction of the barrack blocks and headquarters buildings can be attributed to the second half of the 2nd century AD – the time of the stationary Roman garrison appearance in Olbia.
rooms located along the perimeter around the courtyard: with a separate kithen, a dining room, a central sanctuary room (aedes principiorum), where were stored legionary signs (signa militaria), altars, and statues of deities and emperors. This can be evidenced by the architectural details found during the excavations, terracotta in the shape of eagles and Roman soldiers, Roman weapons and equipment. A similar arrangement of barracks in Olbia is known on the citadel, under the Northern defensive wall. The problem of interpretation of the praetorium building in Olbia is also considered, some quarters of which could serve as Roman barracks. The construction of the barrack blocks and headquarters buildings can be attributed to the second half of the 2nd century AD – the time of the stationary Roman garrison appearance in Olbia.