The ancient city of Phanagoria prospered on the Azov Sea coast some 2550 years ago. Today, archaeologists study the lives of Taman's ancient people. Vladimir Putin's delegation went to see it.
The prime minister drove to the Boyur-Gora burial mound in an SUV. He was accompanied by Krasnodar Territory Governor Alexander Tkachyov, Basic Element president and excavation sponsor Oleg Deripaska and expedition director Vladimir Kuznetsov. Mr Putin left the SUV and headed toward the archaeologists. In the meanwhile, Kuznetsov described the recent discoveries.
"The mound is 10-11 meters high, and around 100 meters in diameter. In fact, it is a complex architectural structure, a building made of earth," explained Kuznetsov.
Scientists have yet to figure out who was buried inside this mound. They have just dug up the vault's entrance. However, the archaeologists have found evidence of the Genoese plunderers, earlier researchers of the ancient grounds who took away the most valuable artifacts a few centuries ago. Scientists are now examining the fortified passages the Genoese dug as professionally as they robbed the tomb.
"Let's blame it on the Genoese and close the topic," commented Putin, going on in search of valuable artifacts.
He finally managed to find something. He noticed part of an ancient amphora handle.
"Can I take it with me? I could use it at home," joked the prime minister.
At another excavation site, the prime minister saw the remains of the ancient city's Acropolis. Young archaeologists were now sweating at a place where, at one time, this political and trade center was teeming with life. Mr Putin decided to help one of them dig out a one-meter-high vessel that had survived the centuries intact. The young man, who was carefully cleaning the sand off the vessel, shared his tools with the prime minister. For a while, Putin was brushing the dust off the amphora looking completely satisfied with his work.
"Any wine left inside?" The prime minister inquired.
"Of course, no," his young workmate's answer did not help Putin make an archaeological discovery.
But, the best part was yet to come: the prime minister was to roam the streets of the ancient city... under water. A part of Phanagoria now lies at the bottom of Taman Bay, and that is why the ancient city is often called "the Russian Atlantis."
A few days earlier, the prime minister had started his diving training. This time, he was scuba diving unlike the time he submerged in a bathyscaph at Lake Baikal. Putin later said that this was his third scuba dive: he had trained in a swimming pool and in the sea before. Shoigu and Kuznetsov dived in along with Putin, though Deripaska stayed safely on the shore.
"I don't have a diving suit," he explained.
"No money?" Putin teased one of the richest businessmen in Russia.
The prime minister returned from underwater with a new discovery: he brought back two almost intact amphorae dating back to the 6th century A.D.
"This place is the most ancient settlement on Earth," confided Putin. "It has a rich history. Greeks and Khazars lived here, there used to be an ancient Slavic princedom, and Adyghes also lived here."
Now the prime minister has something to boast about in front of his European colleagues. Silvio Berlusconi had once shown him some ancient statues in his yard saying that statues like that were only found in Italy, said Putin. Now, similar sculptures are being found on the shore of the Azov Sea.
"I should bring him here and show him this place," added Putin with pride.
Moreover, some visitors may soon have an opportunity to see a Phanagoria museum with an underwater section that the prime minister ordered for the excavation site.
Alexander Matveyev, Anastasiya Novikova
