Akra is the city of Crimea where it is located. Ancient cities. Some facts from the history of the sunken city

The Black Sea keeps in itself more than one secret, how many mysteries are hidden under its waves. The world saw one of these amazing finds only in 1982. Lovers of history, antiquities and finds, welcome to the ancient Greek port city of Akra (end of the 6th century BC) or as it was also called "Crimean Atlantis" (because of the similarity with the mythical city).

Why visit this place

The city is completely hidden under water, and you can get into it only by diving. The flooding occurred due to the rise in sea level and the movement of lithospheric plates. Scientists assume that the flood occurred gradually, as evidenced by the stone ridge, which protected the townspeople from the onset of water, but, alas, the sea won. Ancient authors have mentioned Acra more than once in their creations. So Strabo in his "Geography" described Acre as a small village lying in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Panticapians opposite Corocondam at the entrance to the strait.

In the 80s, research work was carried out, during which the building remains of the city and an antique well were discovered. Locals who have visited Acre claim that the city has a rectangular shape. They were also able to find masonry and a considerable number of household items - more than 100 coins of the Bosporus kingdom, almost a dozen amphorae (IV century BC), Greek ceramics, lead anchor parts, and so on. Unlike Alexandria (Egypt), which disappeared from the face of the Earth due to natural disasters, Acre continues to exist even further. Archaeologists to this day do not stop studying the site.

Some facts from the history of the sunken city

Thanks to a thorough study of the sunken city, archaeologists discovered a well, the ruins of several towers, and partially destroyed protective walls. At a distance of more than 500 meters from the embankment, a stone ridge is built diagonally to the coast. Perhaps the locals tried to escape the onslaught of water, but, unfortunately, they failed. I had to leave their homes. The water swallowed everything up.

Not so long ago, the Russian Geographical Society decided to hold a competition among archaeologists to conduct an expedition to study and survey the city of Akra.

The members of the expedition will study the underwater as well as the coastal part of the sunken city. There has been no major dredging in Acre, so the city is well preserved.

Feel like a pioneer

Such an ancient find is not limited to excursions; they are conducted by the Atlantis diving club, which is open daily from 9.00 to 19.00. The cost starts from 2000 rubles and more. Pre-instructor conducts training before diving into the sea. You need to have a wetsuit and special equipment with you. Unfortunately, there are age restrictions (children under 8 years old). Those who have diseases, the contraindications of which are diving, will also not be able to appreciate the beauty of the excursion.

The place is not devoid of tourist attractions - fishing, beach vacations, baths, brewery and more. Shop "House of Crimean Masters" is famous for paintings by local artists and souvenirs for every taste.

How to get to the underwater city of Acra

The town is located in the western part of the Kerch Peninsula. Most of its territory is hidden under water between the Yanysh estuary and the Black Sea coast in the east, 10 km south of Kerch near the village. Embankment.

The ancient Greek city of Acra, which is located on the territory of modern Crimea, went under water about a thousand years ago - at the end of the 10th century AD. Local journalists called it the Crimean Atlantis, because only a few meters of the ancient settlement come out onto the land. The city could not be found for over a hundred years. The fact is that from the ancient Greek the word "acre" is translated as "elevation" (and here it is difficult not to recall the Acropolis - "upper city"). In addition, the ancient authors (Pliny, Strobona, Ariana, Pseudo-Ariana) referred to Acre as a very small settlement, which led to the formation of two stereotypes at once among historiographers. Firstly, Acra is a small city, and secondly, it is located on a hill. But in reality everything turned out to be exactly the opposite. Acre, where about a thousand people lived (at that time, the population of a large city), was an important port city in the south of the Bosporus state, which stood at the foot of Cape Taquil - in fact, in the lowland. But all this became clear much later - just about thirty years ago - thanks to the chance. Read: In 1982, a Crimean schoolboy Alyosha Kulikov found ancient coins on the coast, which, as it turned out, were used by local residents 2.5 thousand years ago. Later, having already received an archaeological education, Aleksey Vladislavovich Kulikov began researching the ancient city and discovered three households, whose age was about two thousand years. In the 1990s, the excavations were stopped, and they were resumed quite recently, in 2010, at the initiative of the Hermitage staff. For the past six years, archaeologists have been exploring the ancient monument of ancient architecture - the city of Acra, most of which is under water. This year the excavation sites were drained for the first time. “The expedition and I have been systematically exploring the ancient Greek settlement of Akra for the sixth year in a row. But this year, for the first time, we carried out not only underwater work, but also work on land. Or rather, in the area under the coast: they made a large excavation with an area of \u200b\u200bone hundred square meters and studied the outlets on the remains of the city preserved under the coastline. Such preservation of architectural remains, which we observe here, we do not see anywhere else in the Northern Black Sea region, ”- comments Viktor Vakhoneev, Deputy Director of the Black Sea Center for Underwater Research. Every year during the expedition, the collection of scientists is replenished with amazing artifacts. One of the most important finds is a defensive wall with towers 150 meters long. Interestingly, it can be seen even in satellite images. Read: “Acra was founded on a trapezoidal sub-triangular cape, which went into the waters of the Kerch Strait for about 250 meters. The cape itself was very low. The Greeks settled here as a result of the colonization of the Bosphorus at the beginning of the 5th century BC. And in the middle of the 4th century BC, they crossed the cape with a defensive wall. This protected the city from barbarian raids, - says Viktor Vakhoneev. - We examined the defensive tower for several seasons, and what was our surprise when the base of the tower turned out to be made of huge oak beams in the form of a cage! There are no analogues in terrestrial archeology. Perhaps this building was needed to combat seismicity or groundwater. One way or another, we examined wooden structures that are two and a half thousand years old! " And in 2013, an ancient wooden ridge, about two thousand years old, was discovered in Acre. It is impossible to find such an item within the framework of ground archaeological excavations: organic matter simply decays over such a long period of time. As for the expedition of the 2016 season, archaeologists managed to collect many artifacts. Alexander Konevich, the author of the film "Akra", spoke about one of the most significant: Archaeologists have found a real home in the remains of an ancient Greek dwelling. Such an artifact is real luck. And one more proof that Acre really was a large city where residents were constantly, and not a temporary fortress with massive fortifications. " In addition, a huge amount of ceramic remains from different times was found near the hearth. Watch about these and other results of the expedition to the city, which is about 2.5 thousand years old, on the air of the Nauka TV channel in November.

The ancient Greek city of Acra, which is located on the territory of modern Crimea, went under water about a thousand years ago - at the end of the 10th century AD. Local journalists called it the Crimean Atlantis, because only a few meters of the ancient settlement come out onto the land.

The city could not be found for more than a hundred years. The fact is that from the ancient Greek the word "acre" is translated as "elevation" (and here it is difficult not to recall the Acropolis - "upper city"). In addition, the ancient authors (Pliny, Strobona, Ariana, Pseudo-Ariana) referred to Acre as a very small settlement, which led to the formation of two stereotypes at once among historiographers. Firstly, Acra is a small city, and secondly, it is located on a hill. But in reality everything turned out to be exactly the opposite. Acre, where about a thousand people lived (at that time, the population of a large city), was an important port city in the south of the Bosporus state, which stood at the foot of Cape Taquil - in fact, in the lowland. But all this became clear much later - only about thirty years ago - thanks to the chance.

Underwater ruins of the city of Acre. Photo: https://s1.tchkcdn.com

In 1982, a Crimean schoolboy Alyosha Kulikov found ancient coins on the coast, which, as it turned out, were used by local residents 2.5 thousand years ago. Later, having already received an archaeological education, Aleksey Vladislavovich Kulikov began researching the ancient city and discovered three households, whose age was about two thousand years. In the 1990s, excavations were stopped, and they were resumed quite recently, in 2010, at the initiative of the Hermitage staff.

For the past six years, archaeologists have been exploring the ancient monument of ancient architecture - the city of Acra, most of which is under water. This year the excavation sites were drained for the first time.

“The expedition and I have been systematically exploring the ancient Greek settlement of Akra for the sixth year in a row. But this year, for the first time, we carried out not only underwater work, but also work on land. Or rather, in the area under the coast: they made a large excavation with an area of \u200b\u200bone hundred square meters and studied the outlets on the remains of the city preserved under the coastline. Such preservation of architectural remains, which we observe here, we do not see anywhere else in the Northern Black Sea region, ”- comments Viktor Vakhoneev, Deputy Director of the Black Sea Center for Underwater Research.

Every year during the expedition, the collection of scientists is replenished with amazing artifacts. One of the most important finds is a defensive wall with towers 150 meters long. Interestingly, it can be seen even in satellite images.

“Acra was founded on a trapezoidal subtriangular cape, which went into the waters of the Kerch Strait for about 250 meters. The cape itself was very low. The Greeks settled here as a result of the colonization of the Bosphorus at the beginning of the 5th century BC. And in the middle of the 4th century BC, they crossed the cape with a defensive wall. This protected the city from barbarian raids, - says Viktor Vakhoneev. - We examined the defensive tower for several seasons, and what was our surprise when the base of the tower turned out to be made of huge oak beams in the form of a cage! There are no analogues in terrestrial archeology. Perhaps this building was needed to combat seismicity or groundwater. One way or another, we examined wooden structures that are two and a half thousand years old! "

And in 2013, an ancient wooden ridge, about two thousand years old, was discovered in Acre. It is impossible to find such an item within the framework of ground archaeological excavations: organic matter simply decays over such a long period of time.

As for the expedition of the 2016 season, archaeologists managed to collect many artifacts. Alexander Konevich, the author of the film "Akra", spoke about one of the most significant: Archaeologists have found a real home in the remains of an ancient Greek dwelling. Such an artifact is real luck. And one more proof that Acre really was a large city where residents were constantly, and not a temporary fortress with massive fortifications. "

In addition, a huge amount of ceramic remains from different times was found near the hearth.

The Nauka TV channel will show the film “Acra. Crimean Atlantis "in Feodosia

On March 10, archaeologists of the Hermitage, researchers of the Center for Underwater Archeology and the editorial staff of the Nauka channel will present a premiere in Feodosia - the film “Acra. Crimean Atlantis "

Press release from 02/28/2017

On Friday, March 10, in Feodosia the premiere of the film “Acra. Crimean Atlantis ", prepared by the channel" Science ".

The new film chronicles the archaeological excavations of the ancient city of Acre, founded 2500 years ago. Archaeologists unsuccessfully searched for the city for more than a hundred years, since it is hidden under water at a depth of 4 m. In 1982, after the discovery of a Crimean schoolboy Alexei Kulikov on the Kerch coast of a coin from the city of Akra, there was a hope to find a historical monument.

A large-scale study of the Crimean Atlantis began in 2011 at the initiative of the Hermitage staff. It turned out that up to a depth of 1.5 m, the entire territory of the city was covered with sand. The collapse of the remains of the settlement was noted practically throughout the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe city. The age of the found stone structures was about 2000 years. At a depth of 4–5 m, fragments of ceramics were found, piles of large stones without traces of processing, turning into natural ridges - from here began the harbor of the ancient city. Archaeologists noted that the ancient city almost did not lose its integrity. Thanks to this fact, Acre ranked first in the region in terms of importance for underwater archeology.

The study of Acre acquired paramount importance not only for studying the ancient history and culture of the Black Sea region, but also for improving the methods of underwater archeology.

“In the course of underwater excavations, we found that the walls of the flooded city remained more than one and a half meters high. For six years of research, we have created a detailed plan of the settlement, which allows us to trace the spatial development of Acre in different periods of its history, ”says Viktor Vakhoneev, Deputy Director of the Black Sea Center for Underwater Research, about the results of underwater excavations.

The film “Acra. Crimean Atlantis ”vividly shows how archaeologists conduct underwater excavations: what is the technology leading to success, and why shouldn't you rush? What is the difference between underwater excavations and classical archaeological research? What artifacts have already been raised from the bottom of the Black Sea? And how will historians work with them further? The film came out fun and entertaining.

During the filming, modern video and computer technologies were used. Underwater filming has become a separate challenge for the creative team of the Nauka channel.

“At the press conference we will also discuss how to involve archaeoseismologists in the study of Acre. Among them there are specialists whose experience will make it possible to refute or confirm the hypothesis of the cataclysm that struck Acre. If there really was a catastrophe in this area and Acre died suddenly, then the destruction occurred on the territory of the Crimean and Taman peninsulas. It is important for the community of historians and archaeologists to know about this, ”says the main character of the film, archaeologist Alexei Kulikov, about his expectations from the press conference.

On March 10, a press conference will take place with the main character of the film, Alexei Kulikov, director Alexander Konevich, Hermitage specialists and other film participants. After the premiere in Feodosia, the film “Acra. Crimean Atlantis ”will be seen by subscribers of the“ CT Premiere ”service.

The ancient city of Acra in Kerch is a kind of local Atlantis. It provides a large number of mysteries that the world's best archaeologists are struggling with. They are trying to learn about the peculiarities of the life of the townspeople and about where the entire population went after the city was submerged. This is a truly amazing place worth seeing while in Crimea.

The ancient city of Acra in Kerch

This city was first mentioned in ancient Greek records in the 6th century BC. Moreover, the Greeks themselves built it on the shores of the Crimean peninsula. Interestingly, archaeologists could not find Acre for 200 years until they stumbled upon it in the 1980s. It was then that active excavations began. But the more specialists found answers to the questions posed, the more new questions arose.

In the 3rd century AD, the city was completely flooded. Now historians are trying to understand exactly where all the people who lived in the city have gone. Underwater archaeologists find unique household items that are almost in perfect condition.

The city was famous for its high quality wheat and abundant fish. The most skillful traders of antiquity also lived here. However, exactly how the settlement was flooded and what happened to the residents is not known for certain.

Brief history of the city

This city appeared as an independent settlement founded by the ancient Greeks. It is a little younger than ancient Rome. It was a transit trade city that was used exclusively for unloading goods from different countries and their further transportation to other shopping centers. There were always a lot of ships here, as it was one of the few ice-free ports.

Acre is located just 30 kilometers from modern Kerch. The largest number of buildings was near Cape Taki. It is interesting that until the IV century this city was independent, but then became part of the Bosphorus Kingdom. It was founded by several other satellites of Ancient Greece to defend against the Scythian tribes.

The city flourished due to its craft and trade. An elite wheat variety grew here, which could not be grown in the Mediterranean climate. That is why bread made from it was considered especially expensive. The city also sold large quantities of salted and dried fish.

Acre was first discovered in 1981. It was the archaeologist Alexei Kulikov. At that moment he was 15 years old and he was fond of history. One day, when there were strong waves at sea, he tried to find ancient coins. He found one, and was also able to accidentally discover the remains of an ancient wall that were under the sand. The wave swept away this sand, exposing part of the structure.

It is interesting that all the treasures of Acre are kept in the Kerch Museum, despite the fact that the main excavations are carried out by the Hermitage specialists. The city is of great interest to historians. In particular, the reason for its flooding is not clear and it is not known where all the people have gone.

Flooding theories

There are two main theories:

In 1983, another large-scale expedition took place to Akru. In the course of it, it was possible to prove that this is exactly a city, and not a village. Quite a lot of coins from various regions of the world, goods and other important exhibits typical of the city were found here. We also managed to identify the defensive wall and tower. The area of \u200b\u200bthe settlement was about 3.5 hectares.

Interestingly, there is a theory that the Crimean Peninsula itself is part of the once flooded Atlantis. This is evidenced by the flat relief and similar climatic features. But professional historians pay little attention to this theory.

About finds

Scientists manage to find a large number of exhibits. Some of them are on land /, but most are flooded. Therefore, it is necessary to involve underwater archaeologists. Due to the peculiarities of the development of technologies, it is impossible to raise some finds from the bottom now. This will pose a great danger to their safety. Therefore, they are buried back in order to wait for an increase in the level of technical equipment.

Here's what the specialists find most often:

• ancient coins;
• unique amphorae and jugs;
• household items of the inhabitants of Acre;
• remains of buildings;
• various jewelry ornaments.

All this is kept in the local museum. However, before being placed in the museum, all finds are analyzed for historical value in Feodosia. It is worth noting that items must be processed before they can be lifted from the seabed. Otherwise, some of them (especially wooden ones) may crumble after being moved to another environment.

Today, scientific and technological progress has stepped far forward, which allows more careful and deep study of the values \u200b\u200bin the Acre region. However, specialists still have to wait for better times to study the remains of antiquity in more detail. Perhaps they will reveal new secrets.

How to get to Acre

Unfortunately, most of the city is under water, so you can see many of the exhibits only with scuba diving.It is important to understand that unauthorized excavations are punishable by law. Therefore, you can find several antiquities, look at them and leave them lying in place. They can also be taken to the local museum.

This attraction is located just 30 kilometers from Kerch. You must use a private car to get to the ancient city. With the help of the navigator, you will definitely not be mistaken.