Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/412

 260 KERTCH ANTIQUITIES. tlirougli the interesting Memoir given by Mens. Raoul Rocliette, in the Journal des Savans. The detailed accounts of subsequent investigations have, as we behove, been pub- hshed only in Russian — a language rarely studied in this country — and in works difficult of access to the English antiquary. It has, therefore, appeared desirable to invite attention to these curious remains in the ancient kingdom of Bosphorus ; and it is hoped that the following notices may prove acceptable to the readers of the Archaeological Journal. The town of Kertch is situate in the Crimea, on the Strait of Jenicale, and occupies the site of the ancient Panti- kapa3um, the capital of the Idngdom of Bosphorus. The entire district around Kertch, and from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azof, is studded with tumuli of great antiquity, now known under the general appellation of kurgans, and which rise to the height of from 25 to 30 feet above the level of the plain. There are two great ranges of these kurgans. The first and principal range runs in an almost uninterrupted quadrant from the Sea of Azof, and extends to Pavlovsk. The other range, commanding all the immediate environs of Kertch, extends westward, and terminates at the mountain Mithridates. For centuries these tumuli have been exca- vated for the purpose of finding treasure. The Genoese and Turks alike ransacked them for the gold they were believed to contain ; and when the Crimea fell into the possession of Russia, in the year 1774, every one was allowed to explore them at pleasure. It was not until 1820 that a proper restriction was imposed upon this practice : in that year Count Rumjanzov obtained from the Russian Government the exclusive right of excavating the kurgans. In the year 1828 the Archaeological Museum of Kertch was estabhshed, and from that period the director of the Museum has acted as superintendent of the excavations. This office was performed by Herr Blaramberg, the first director, until his death in 1832, when it devolved upon his successor, Herr Ashik, who has produced an important work upon this interesting subject.* About ten of these kurgans are excavated every year, and the most precious portion of the objects dug up are deposited in the Hermitage at St. Petersbm-g, the remainder finding a place in the Museum at ' ])cscri|i(ion of a l'antik;ii>;i;an C-'ataconih, oriiaincnted with Frescoes. (Kerchenskiya Drevnosti, &c.) Odessa, Ifvlf). Fol.