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The collection of items from ancient towns on the Northern Black Sea coast provides us with an idea of the mode of life in ancient settlements here from 6th century BC to 4th century AD. The objects found in the course of archaeological excavations, and thus with full documentation recording their origin, are of particular scientific value. Objects from excavations of Greek towns and necropolises (Olbia, Chersonesus, the Bosporan Kingdom, and the Berezan islands) form the basis of this part of the collection. Excavations have been carried out by generations of Russian and Soviet archaeologists since the early 19th century. The items found along the Northern Black Sea coast include pieces imported from various regions of the ancient world and works combining the local barbaric tradition with Graeco-Roman influence. The most important items of Greek origin are the heads of Aesclepius and Hygeia (3rd century BC) from Olbia, a monumental statue of a Bosporan ruler (4th century BC) and polychrome memorial steles from Chersonesus (4th century BC). Remarkable examples of the collection of antique portraits are those of the Pontian King Mithridates VI Eupator (1st century BC) and Queen Dynamis (1st century AD), and the stele of Theagenes and Macaria (2nd century AD).
Some outstanding archaeological complexes have produced important artifacts in the Hermitage collection: Bolshaya Bliznitsa burial-mound (4th century BC) on the Taman peninsula (burial site of priestesses of the goddess Demeter), and Kul-Oba burial-mound (4th century BC), objects from which show a combination of Scythian and Greek traditions. The Hermitage possesses a rare collection of gilded wooden sarcophaguses decorated with engraving and incrustation (4th-3rd centuries BC) and other wooden objects. On display is a unique work by a Bosporan artist, a limestone sarcophagus decorated with colourful painting both inside and out; one of the compositions shows an artist's workshop (1st century AD). Local production is also represented by terracottas, painted vases in the Kerch style, glass and items of jewellery.
If you enjoyed this collection, you might want to also visit the other collections at the State Hermitage Museum.
Ancient Coins
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Painted Sarcophagus
Detail showing an artist's workshop
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Lekythos in the Form of a Sphinx
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Lekythos with Boar Hunt
Xenophantos
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Apollo and Hera
Sarcophagus metopes
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