When a river near the Krasnodar town of Shapsi nearly emptied following a spring flood, local residents made a remarkable discovery: a stone structure known as a dolmen that contained human remains thought to be thousands of years old.
Within the four-sided stone construction, found in a riverbed near the Black Sea coast about 90 kilometers north of Sochi, residents found a collection of bones and a human skull that are approximately 6,000 years old, Rossia 24 television reported Thursday. Next to the bones were apparently human-made objects, including ceramic dishes and a mysterious stone sphere.
Archeologists will study the discoveries to identify precisely how old they are — but only after they gain permission from the Investigative Committee, which seized all the remains.
Dolmens, which have been found in Western Europe and all over the Caucasus, are a unique type of prehistoric architecture whose purpose is disputed among scientists. Archeologists will study this latest discovery in hopes of finding out more about the Krasnodar dolmens, a few thousand of which have been found.
A scientific expedition may have only a few days to investigate this site, as the river could rise, covering the structure with water once more.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.