Ukraine appeals to the UN over the destruction of Tauric Chersonese by the occupiers
25 July 2024 13:35
The Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets appealed to the UN regarding the destruction of Tauric Chersonese by Russians in the occupied Crimea, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Lubinets noted that the occupiers had completely destroyed an authentic monument of world significance during the 10 years of occupation.
“This is another crime by the aggressor country and its destruction of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. We need a reaction from the international community, because history is being destroyed before our eyes! Let me remind you that the Ancient City of Chersonesos Tavriya and its Chora is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, it is a unique historical and archaeological monument of Crimea,”
– Lubinets said.
In particular, they have started illegal construction work on the ruins of Chersonesos, effectively building a new city.
“The developers blocked the archaeological remains that were on the surface with viewing platforms, and several excavated sites were moved and rebuilt elsewhere. An amphitheatre has been built on the site of the ancient citadel, which puts a strain on the original structure. Many archaeological finds were actually stolen by Russia and taken to Russian museums,”
– he said.
The Ombudsman added that Russia should be held accountable for the destruction of cultural heritage in accordance with international law.
“Russia must be held accountable for the destruction of cultural heritage in accordance with international law! As well as for the theft of museum exhibits, which Russia is taking out of the TOT of Ukraine on a large scale! It is necessary to oblige the aggressor country to return the stolen items!”
– Lubinets concluded.
What is known about Tauric Chersonese
Tauric Chersonese is an ancient Greek settlement in the Northern Black Sea region. Founded by colonists from Ancient Greece in the sixth century BC, the city became an important political, economic and cultural centre of the region.
The territory of the modern reserve covers the boundaries of the ancient Greek city of Chersonesos Tavriya, which was founded here on the Black Sea coast in the fifth century BC. The city was enclosed by powerful defensive walls and laid out according to the scheme common in the Greek and Roman worlds at that time. Many ancient buildings have survived to this day. Among them are the Hellenistic theatre, the Roman citadel, medieval Christian churches, residential areas, streets, pottery workshops, fish salting facilities, wells, etc.
At the end of the 14th century, a nomadic invasion put an end to the city’s existence, and its ruins were buried by the ground. It was only in 1827 that excavations began here, which almost immediately earned Chersonesos another name – “Russian Troy”. The scale of the research and the large number of archaeological sites in need of preservation prompted the creation of the Tauric Chersonese National Reserve.
Among the archaeological finds are unique ones, such as the oath of citizens of Chersonesos in the third century BC, decrees, frescoes, mosaics, slate icons of Christian churches, inscriptions, and numerous household items. In total, the reserve’s museum collections include more than 200,000 exhibits.
In 2013, the archaeological site of Tauric Chersonesos with Chernecha Mountain was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
