Reserve ‘Olbia’ in 1945-1946: Revival of the Scientific and Museum Institution
Abstract
The purpose of the research paper is to study the measures taken to revive the Archaeological Reserve ‘Olbia’ after the end of World War II and the experience of its reconstruction from the point of view of the challenges of the present.
The scientific novelty is in the introduction to the scientific circulation of materials from the Scientific Archive of the Institute of Archaeology of the NAS of Ukraine, which provide evidence of the efforts undertaken to restore the activity of the Archaeological Reserve ‘Olbia’ as a museum and scientific institution in 1945-1946.
Conclusions. Based on the results of the study of the scientific and economic reports of the Olbian Archaeological Expedition and the Archaeological Reserve ‘Olbia’ in 1945-1946, field diaries, photos, and other documents, the measures aimed at monitoring the condition of archaeological sites in the Reserve and documenting the destruction caused during the war years are consistently considered. It is found out that the restoration of the Reserve was carried out in accordance with several parallel areas of focus: the resumption of archaeological research, the organization of a new infrastructure of the Reserve and conditions for full-fledged scientific work; the establishment of a museum and funds repository, the organization of student practice, the establishing of cooperation with the local village, raion (district), and oblast executive authorities, and coverage of the problems and achievements of the Reserve in the press.
All these measures and methods of their implementation, control over their execution, and analysis of faults and achievements are of both historiographical and practical interest. Today, the National Historical-Archaeological Reserve ‘Olbia’ of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is again experiencing difficult trials associated with Russian military aggression and war. In this context, the historical experience of the Reserve in restoring its potential after the devastating war of the 20th century may once again prove useful. Therefore, the plans devised by L. Slavin, as documented in the 1946 report, retain their pertinence. We believe in a new revival of the Archaeological Reserve ‘Olbia’ and its transformation into a modern scientific and museum center, as well as the resumption of field research by the Olbian Archeological Expedition.
Funding. The research was carried out within the framework of the research work of the Department of Archaeology of the Lower Pobuzhzhia of the National Historical and Archaeological Reserve ‘Olbia’ of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine ‘Ancient City and its Chora in the North-Western Black Sea Region’, state registration number 0124U003377.
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