The Complex of Antique Findings from the Adzhider Fortress: to the Dating of Ovidiopol Settlement and «The Tomb of Ovid»

Abstract

The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of currently known antique materials coming from the Ovidiopol settlement. First of all, they include mostly random in nature findings, that were made during the construction of the Adzhider fortress in 1792-1793. The material complex found at that time included the «Tomb of Ovid», the upper part of the terracotta figurine, the marble pedestal of the statue and several other rather bright objects. The authors managed to reconsider the historiography of the issue and suggest the datings and interpretation of these materials. According to the analysis, the so-called «The Tomb of Ovid» is proposed to be associated with the Roman poet only according to the time of its creation, that is the 1^st century B.C. – the 1^st century A.D. Several more items are also related to that time. The head belongs to the terracotta figurine of the Syrian Aphrodite and is related to the Hellenistic period.

The next part of the work is devoted to the publication of the findings made in 2013 by the Lower Dniester Expedition of the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (headed by I.V. Sapozhnikov) in the course of research of the Adzhider (Ovidiopol) fortress of the Modern Period. Some of the materials from the expedition’s excavations were restored, which led to their republishing, as well as reconsidering of certain aspects of the chronology and interpretation of individual objects and complex in general as well.

The material complex studied in 2013 was represented by findings coming from the site with coverings. A similar site was also studied by the expedition of A. G. Zaginaylo 1981-1982. Several items among the materials deserve special attention. Among them, the archaeologically whole amphora of Chios production, the red clay painted krater unique of its kind, the coin of Philip II and some others.

The analysis of these objects allows dating the whole site with coverings to the 2-3 quarter of the 4^th century B.C. and interpret it as part of the complex having clearly sacral character, taking into account its location at a short distance from the necropolis.

Thus, as a result of research, it has become possible to establish the existence of one rather large ancient settlement Ovidiopol, in contrast to the previously supposed existence of three settlements dated to the 4^th – 3^rd centuries B.C. In addition, two chronological periods of its existence have been identified and specified: last third of the 5^th – beginning of the 3^rd cent. B.C. and the 1^st century B.C. – the 1^st century A.D. Also, in this area there used to be a large necropolis with a certain territory for the ceremonies related to the burial.