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ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH 
 
 AND 
 
 RESEARCHES IN THE CIMMERIAN BOSPHORUS. 
 

 l^aiBroSIiflffC; 
 
 •- Smith,Eld.er fc C<?Loi\ckm., 1857 . 
 
ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH, 
 
 ^i^jjijarthijf) in ih Cjimmcrian J^ofijihorufj; 
 
 EEMAEKS ON THE ETHNOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL HISTOEY 
 
 OF THE CEIMEA. 
 
 DUNCAN MCPHERSON, M.D., 
 
 INSPBCTOS-GENERAL OF HOSPITALS TO THE LATE TURKISH CONTINGENT ; FELLOW OF THE BOTAL GEOGRAPHICAL 
 SOCIETT, AND OF THE AECH^OLOGICAL ISSTITCTE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND ; 
 
 AUTHOR OF "TWO TEARS IN CHINA." 
 
 ' Ad Panticapteiun, qaod aliqai Bosphonun vocant." — Plint, His. Nat., lib. iv. 
 
 LONDON: 
 SMITH, ELDER & CO., 65, C O R N H I L L. 
 
 1857. 
 
TO 
 
 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 FOX BARON PANMURE, 
 
 HER majesty's principal SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR, 
 
 KNIGHT OF THE MOST ANCIENT ORDER OF THE THISTLE, 
 
 KNIGHT GRAND CROSS OF THE MOST HONOUEABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, 
 
 AND LORD-LIEDTENANT OF THE COUNTY OF FORFAR, 
 
 Wlxnt^ JIIuKtnilion 
 
 OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND EARLY HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY 
 
 LATE THE SCENE OF A MEMORABLE CONFLICT, 
 
 ARE INSCRIBED 
 
 IN GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HIS FAVOUR AND CONSIDERATION, 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 rAOS 
 PREFACE xi 
 
 PART I. 
 
 GRECIAN COLONIZATION IN THE CRIJIEA AND ADJOINING COASTS. 
 
 Chapter I. — Remote Antiquity of the Crimea — Its Aboriginal Inhabitants — The Scenes of 
 
 Classic Fables ......... 1 
 
 Chapter II. — Grecian Colonization of the Coasts of the Euxine . . . .6 
 
 Chapter III. — Temple of Diana — Insalubrity of the Climate of the Crimea . . .11 
 
 Chapter IV. — Supposed Local Deluges — Early Greek Princes in the Crimea — Mthridates the 
 
 Great takes Possession . . . • • . • .15 
 
 Chapter V.— Conquests of ilithridates — Dethronement by his Son — His Death— His Power 
 
 and Greatness . . . . . • ■ • .18 
 
 Chapter VI. — Subjugation by the Romans under Julius Cssar — Invasions of the Alans, 
 Goths, and Huns— Venetian and Genoese Colonists— The Turkish Domination 
 —English Merchants— Character of the Turks— The Russian Occupation . 22 
 
 PART II. 
 
 DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHOR'S RESEARCHES IN THE CDDIERIAN 
 
 BOSPHORUS. 
 
 Chapter I.— Aspect of the Country round Kertch — Ancient Sepulchres — The Modem Town 
 —Russian Vandalism— Destruction of Ruins and subsequent Preservation of 
 Sculptures— The Tumuli . . • • • • -31 
 
 Chapter H.- Scythian mode of Sepulture adopted by the Greeks — Russian Researches and 
 their Results— Description of the Tumuli by ]\Ir. Winter Jones and IM. Anton 
 Ashik— Mr. Russell's Account of the Plunder of the Kertch Museum . 34 
 
Vlll 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Chapter III.— Colonel Munroe's Excavations in the Ancient Cherson — Sculptured Bas-reliefs 
 — Antique Sculptures transmitted to the British Museum 
 
 Chapter IV.— Site of the Modern Town of Kertch— Number and Position of the Tumuli— 
 Their Origin— Opening of the First Tumulus— Its Structure and Contents . 
 
 ■Tumuli of " The Five Brothers " — Their Construction and Contents 
 
 Chapter V. 
 Chapter VI. • 
 
 -Tumuli explored by the Russian Government — Enormous Tumulus denomi- 
 nated the Golden Mountain — Its reputed Treasures .... 
 
 44 
 
 53 
 57 
 
 60 
 
 Chapter VII.— Skeleton of a Queen — Description of her Ornaments — Vase of Electrum — 
 Golden Fragments of the Iving's Vestments — Skeletons of his Servant and 
 Horse— Subterranean Tomb — Stone Quarry— Reptiles and Venomous Insects 65 
 
 Chapter VIII.— The IMuseum of Kertch — Artificial Character of the Hill — Remains of the 
 Ancient City of Panticapa;um — Rock Chamber — A Living Occupant of a 
 Tomb 
 
 Chapter IX.— Subterranean Temple or Chamber— Its Decorations — Burial of Horses in Tombs 
 — Tunnelling in Search of other Tombs — Armenian Labourers 
 
 Chapter X. — Further Explorations — Excitement of a Soldier — Colossal Marble Statues — 
 Recent Researches of the Russians — Opening of a Sepulchral Chamber — 
 Interesting Discovery — Opening of other Catacombs — Their Contents 
 
 Chapter XI. — Armenian Labourers — Extensive Excavations and interesting Discoveries — 
 Professor Owen's Description of Human Bones found — Exploration of the 
 Great Shaft, and its results — Perilous situation — Russian jealousy 
 
 Chapter XII.— Speculations on the Origin of the Shaft — Curious Relics discovered — Anglo- 
 Saxon Fibula: — Coins of Panticapseum — IMotives for Exploration — Peculations 
 of the Tartars ......... 
 
 69 
 
 76 
 
 83 
 
 92 
 
 100 
 
 PART III. 
 
 REMARKS OX THE ETHNOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL HISTORY OF THE CRIMEA. 
 
 The Keraim Jews— The Tartars— JIud Volcanoes — A perilous situation— Naphtha and Sulphur 
 Springs — Chemical Analysis of the Fluids — Geological Formation of the Crimea — Description 
 of the Fossil Shells and Geological Specimens brought from Kertch — Depth of the Sea of 
 Azoff — Early C'liristian Church at Kertch — Phanagoria — Conclusion . . . .111 
 
Shi 0j §hU5, 
 
 FRONTISPIECE (double plate)— View from Mens Mithridates to the Golden Mountain, on the site 
 of the ancient city of Panticapaeum, showing sections of the Stone Tombs and Rock Chambers, 
 Aqueduct, Varangian Tombs, and Great Shaft 
 
 EJIBELLISHED TITLE— View of the Modern Town of Kertch 
 
 PLATE I. — Gold Ornaments and Carved Ivories (Greek) 
 
 II. — Tumuli, denominated " The Five Brothers" . . . 
 
 III. — Bronze Hydria (Greek) ..... 
 
 IV. — Glass Vases from the Varangian Tombs (Byzantine) . 
 V. — Fibulae and Personal Ornaments from the Varangian Tombs . 
 VI. — Glass Decanter, Drinking Cups, Lachrymatories, &c., from the 
 Varangian Tombs ...... 
 
 VII. — Inscribed Tile, Greek Vases, Byzantine Lamps and Beads 
 Vlli. — Terra-Cotta Figure, and Lachrymatory, Alabaster Scent Bottle, &c. 
 IX. — Group of Fictile and other Vases of a very early date (probably 
 
 500 B.C.), from the bottom of the Great Shaft 
 X. & XI. — Symbols and Inscriptions on Handles of Vases, &c. 
 Xn. — Coins found in the Excavations .... 
 
 - to face page 
 
 55 
 
 11 
 
 57 
 
 i» 
 
 59 
 
 )> 
 
 87 
 
 » 
 
 88 
 
 )> 
 
 89 
 
 1) 
 
 101 
 
 « 
 
 102 
 
 7 
 
 103 
 
 )» 
 
 106 
 
 )) 
 
 107 
 
 MAP I. — Ancient Greek Colonies on the Coast of the Propontis, Euxine, and Palus 
 Maeotis ......... 
 
 „ n. — Cimmerian Bosphorus and Peninsula of Phanagoria, showing the site of 
 the City of Panticapaeum, the scene of the Author's Explorations 
 
 31 
 
Wioo& (gitDniuiiifjs in Wt%t 
 
 Panticapffium Griffin ...... 
 
 Bas-relief— Sepulchral Tablet, Funereal Ceremony, Armed Guards 
 
 Bas-relief— Figure on Horseback armed with Scythian Bow 
 
 Bas-reliefs — Figures of Tritons 
 
 Fragment of Greek Moulding . 
 
 Marble Figures of Lion and Lioness 
 
 Handle of Bronze Hydria 
 
 Interior Construction of Tomb in the Golden Mountain 
 
 Venomous Insects .... 
 
 Inscription on the Conduit Tile 
 
 Symbols . . . . • 
 
 Unglazed Vase mth four Handles 
 
 Inscriptions found on large Tiles 
 
 Two lion-headed figures, painted on the Vestibule of the Temple 
 
 Two figures of Horsemen painted on the Walls of the Temple 
 
 Section of the Tunnel formed from the Temple leading to a remarkable Sepulchre 
 
 Section of a Varangian Tomb in calcareous clay 
 
 Stone Tomb, amphora; on each side, containing Skeletons of Infants 
 
 Colthrop made from Human Radius 
 
 Bronze Circlet found on a Female Skull 
 
 Armlet ..... 
 
 Figure in clay resembling somewhat Emblems of Burial found : 
 Egyptian Figure .... 
 
 Group of Gems . . • . 
 
 Female Head in baked clay . 
 
 Figure of Youth in baked clay 
 
 Group of Conical Weights in baked clay 
 
 Coin of the Reign of Mthridates 
 
 in Egyptian Tombs 
 
 PAGE 
 
 (Vignette Title) 
 . 48 
 . 49 
 . 50 
 . 51 
 . 51 
 . 59 
 . 61 
 . 68 
 . 72 
 . 73 
 . 73 
 . 75 
 . 76 
 . 76 
 . 81 
 . 87 
 . 93 
 . 101 
 . 101 
 . 101 
 . 102 
 . 102 
 . 102 
 . 102 
 . 102 
 . 103 
 . 106 
 
PEEFACE. 
 
 A SHORT sketch of the circumstances under which I was enabled to 
 prosecute the investigations of which the results are here recorded, may 
 be acceptable to my readers. 
 
 In the beginning of the year 1855, Her Majesty's Government 
 resolved to raise foreign legions to aid in the struggle then going on 
 with Russia. By a convention entered into with the Sublime Porte, 
 the Sultan agreed to transfer for this purpose 20,000 men of his army 
 to be officered and equipped in all respects similar to Her Majesty's 
 regular troops. This force was afterwards augmented by the addition 
 of 5,000 Osraanli horse (Bashi Bazouks) and 5,000 Cossacks of the 
 Sultan (Polish Legion). 
 
 Military officers from Her Majesty's and the Honourable East India 
 Company's army were selected for this duty; but there being no body of 
 military medical men available for this service, it was resolved to resort 
 to the civil branch of the profession, and to place at the head of these, 
 an officer of standing and known experience. 
 
 I was honoured by the IMinister for War with this responsible 
 appointment, and received his Lordship's commands to form a Medical 
 Staff, and provide stores of every description to enable the force to enter 
 on active operations without delay. Having completed my arrangements 
 
Xii PREFACE. 
 
 I joined the Army of the East within two months from the date of my 
 instructions. 
 
 There is perhaps no other instance on record, where so large a 
 civil medical staff were employed on strictly military duty. When young 
 officers join an army, there are records to direct and skilled hands to 
 teach them their duties. But in the present instance both were wanting. 
 It necessarily rested with myself, therefore, to introduce a well ordered 
 system, which is so requisite to secure success in all railitarj- operations 
 in the field ; our difficulties being increased by having to deal with a 
 people of whose language and customs we were at first totally ignorant. 
 
 The Researches here recorded could only be prosecuted during the 
 scantv leisure afforded from more important and urgent avocations ; and 
 they will therefore, I hope, be received vnth. indulgence. 
 
 I have divided the work into three parts. 
 
 The first comprises all we know of Grecian colonization in the 
 Crimea and the coasts of the Sea of Azoff and the Euxine. 
 
 The second embraces a detailed account of my researches. 
 
 The third comprises some illustrations of the ethnological and 
 physical characteristics of the Crimea, in relation to subjects hitherto 
 imperfectly noticed. 
 
 The account of the primeval inhabitants of that land, which will 
 be hereafter inseparably associated not only with England, but with all 
 other countries who took part in the recent great struggle, is full of the 
 deepest interest. 
 
 My aim has been to bring together a compendium of facts gleaned 
 from the best authors, comprising all that is known of that remote 
 
PREFACE. Xm 
 
 ^ 
 
 period ; such information being scattered over a field not readily accessible 
 to the general reader. 
 
 For the sake of perspicuity, I have purposely omitted to acknowledge 
 in the body of the work, in every case, the assistance I have received ; 
 but I trust it will not for a moment be supposed that I desire unfairly 
 to appropriate the labours of others. 
 
 I have derived much assistance from the following works : — 
 
 Seymour's Russia and the Black Sea; 
 
 Guthrie's and Clarke's Travels ; 
 
 Appian's Ancient History, and his Mithridatic War ; 
 
 Clinton's Fasti HeUenici and Kings of Pontus ; 
 
 Dubois de Montpereux, Voyage autour du Caucase ; 
 
 Les Antiquites Cimmeriennes, published in Russian and French ; 
 
 Les Souvenirs de Kertch, par M. Sabatier ; 
 
 Eichwald, Alte Geographic des Siidlichen Russlands ; 
 
 Bockh, Einleitung zu den Inscriptiones Sarmatise. 
 
 In prosecuting my researches I was peculiarly indebted to Major 
 Crease, who commanded the Engineers of the force. This officer and 
 Mr. Vaughan, Deputy Inspector- General of Hospitals, gave their ready 
 and able assistance throughout; as did also others of the Medical Staff, 
 without whose aid, indeed, I should have been unable, from the pressure 
 of my official duties, to have prosecuted the work. 
 
 I have to acknowledge, with my best thanks, the assistance received 
 in preparing this volume from Mr. Albert Way, Secretary of the 
 Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland; and for the 
 
XIV PREFACE. 
 
 valuable suggestions of Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Vaux, Mr. Birch, and Mr. 
 Franks, of the British Museum. 
 
 The value of a work on antiquities depends much on its pictorial 
 illustrations ; for it is evident that descriptions of the objects without 
 engravings would be very vague and unsatisfactory. 1 have therefore 
 given accurate representations of specimens of the various vestiges of 
 ancient art discovered. By comparing them with others, they tell, as 
 it were, their own story, and throw much light upon the ancient history of 
 this country hitherto almost unknown. 
 
 The maps and illustrations have been drawn expressly for the work ; 
 the former by Mr. Saunders, of the Royal Geogi-aphical Society ; the 
 latter are due to the skilful pencil of Mr. Kell, a young and deserving 
 artist. I am indebted to Messrs. Colnaghi for the View of Kertch in 
 the Embellished Title-page. 
 
 The collection of relics of antique art, the result of my labours, is 
 now in the British Museum, and has been examined with much 
 satisfaction by archseologists. The short description of my researches read 
 before the Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Institute in Edinburgh, 
 and at that of the British Association at Cheltenham, excited much 
 interest ; and I am induced to hope that this more complete and carefully 
 compiled narrative may not be unacceptable to the general public. 
 
PART I 
 
 GRECIAN COLONIZATION IN THE CRIMEA AND 
 
 ADJOINING COASTS. 
 
ANTIQUITIES OF KEETCH, 
 
 4-c., 4-c. 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 REMOTE ANTIQUITY OF THE CRIMEA— ITS ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS— THE SCENES 
 
 OF CLASSIC FABLES. 
 
 Before entering upon a description of my researches, I must beg the 
 reader to go back with me to those remote times when the country, 
 lately the scene of my explorations, was first raised from a state of savage 
 barbarity, to wealth, elegance, and grandeur. 
 
 The Crimea was denominated by the ancients the Chersonesus 
 Taurica. The Chersonesus Heraclea was that portion of the peninsula 
 which is insulated by the angle formed by the Gulf of Sebastopol and 
 the port of Balaklava; the boundary of the kingdom of the Cimmerian 
 Bosphorus being that narrow neck of land between Theodosia and 
 Arabat. 
 
 There are few spots so replete with interest as this, the regal abode 
 of the former classic rulers of a country, the ruins of whose cities will 
 always be regarded with interest by the historian and archaeologist. 
 
 A barbarous policy had closed for centuries this region, so famed 
 in Greek and Roman story. In fact, the very existence of this most 
 interesting country had all but passed into oblivion, until the recent 
 rupture with Russia; when, after a comparative repose of two thousand 
 years, it was again destined to be the scene of blood and strife. 
 
 The late war was a conflict equal in severity to that waged under 
 
ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 Diophantes, the able and expert general of Mithridates, on exactly 
 the same spot, and elicited as vigorous a resistance and as able a 
 defence as was then experienced from Scilurus, the ruling t}Tant of 
 the little peninsula of Heraclea. 
 
 The memory of this country thus revived by the collision of the 
 three great European nations, will now pass dowTi to a remote posterity. 
 But the laborious researches of the archaeologist are necessary to enable 
 us to obtain confirmation of its former history; and evidence, in the 
 shape of medals, inscriptions, and vestiges of ancient art, are requisite 
 to accredit even an imperfect historical account of its former inhabitants. 
 
 The Crimean peninsula derives its modern name from the famous 
 Tartar city of Eski Krim, near Theodosia: now a ruin. 
 
 The greatest breadth of the Crimea from east to west is two 
 hundred miles, and from north to south one hundred and twenty-five. 
 It covers an area of ten thousand and five hundred square miles ; and 
 prior to the war, its population numbered two hundred thousand 
 inhabitants. 
 
 A chain of mountains runs from east to west along the southern 
 coast. The highest — " Tent ISIountain " — being four thousand eight hundred 
 feet above the level of the sea. 
 
 The river Salghir, to the north of Simpheropol, empties itself into 
 the Sea of AzofF ; the rivers on the western side are, the " Bulganak," 
 the "Alma," the "Katcha," and the "Belbeck." 
 
 Homer records that a race denominated Cimmerians, or Cimbrii, 
 who descended from the Steppes of Southern Russia, originally dwelt in 
 this locality. They are described as men of large stature and fair 
 complexion, with flaxen or red hair. They were expelled by the Tauri ; 
 a tribe who occupied the Carpathian Mountains and European Sarmatia: 
 a country to the north and east of the Sea of AzotF. After their 
 expulsion they became bold, adventurous wanderers, and were noted for 
 their piracies; devastating for a number of years the highly civilized 
 
ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF THE CRIMEA. 
 
 countries of Asia Minor. Afterwards, proceeding towards the west, they 
 appeared under the name of Celts and Gauls, and founded a colony in 
 Jutland, the Cirabrica Chersonesus. From thence they spread like locusts 
 over France and Great Britain, and formed that mighty race which 
 occupied the greater part of Western Europe in ancient times. The 
 Crimea would thus appear to have been the primitive abode of our 
 British ancestors. 
 
 The Cimmerian Bosphorus takes its name from this people : the word 
 Bosphorus being applied by the Greeks to any channel or strait. 
 
 The Tauri were a wild and savage tribe, who abode in crypts hewn out of 
 the solid rock ; and their curious dwelKngs are still found in many parts 
 of the country. They made feasts and offerings of human victims, whose 
 skulls they converted into drinking-cups. The peninsula has been 
 called after them, the Chersonesus Taurica ; the former word signifying in 
 Greek, " land," " island " or peninsula. 
 
 As our knowledge of the globe has increased, the statements of 
 Herodotus have been more and more confirmed. He tells us that the 
 Scythians conquered the Tauri, and became the Tauro- Scythians ; that 
 they dwelt originally on the eastern side of the Caspian Sea; whence 
 migrating westward, they arrived in the neighbourhood of the Palus 
 Mseotis, and expelled the several tribes from their possessions. This 
 event took place one thousand years before the time of Darius, or fifteen 
 centuries before the Christian era. The Tauro-Scythians did not appear 
 to the discriminating Greek historian a barbarous race; on the contrary, 
 he commends them as an upright and civihzed nation. 
 
 The description given by Hippocrates of their physical peculiarities, 
 leaves little doubt that they are the ancestors of the present race of 
 Tartars who inhabit the countiy ; and that they were a part of the 
 great Mogul tribes, who have wandered from unknown antiquity over 
 the steppes of Central Asia. 
 
 Mr. Danby Seymour has clearly established that the Crimea and 
 
4 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 the coasts of the Euxine were the theatre of the wanderings and exploits 
 of Ulysses. Homer's account of the Cyclops " who, relying on the gods 
 for sustenance, neither sow nor reap ; who live in caves in the 
 mountains ; who care not for one another ; and who are ignorant of 
 the use of ships," is a true picture of the rudest condition of savage 
 life, and drawn with too much fidelity to allow us to suppose it to be 
 a mere sketch of fancy. 
 
 Some learned scholars have fixed on the promontory of Circsei, 
 once nearly insulated by the Pontine marshes, as the isle of the 
 njTnph Circe ; thus inadvertently bringing Cimmeria and its " perpetual 
 darkness" into the sunny clime of Italy. 
 
 It is impossible to give a truer or clearer picture of Balaklava 
 than that which was drawn by the father of poetry nearly three thousand 
 years ago : — 
 
 " Within a long recess a bay there lies 
 Edged roxmd with cliffs, high pointing to the skies. 
 The jutting shores, that swell on either side, 
 Contract its mouth, and break the rushing tide. 
 Our eager sailors seize the fair retreat, 
 And bound within the port their crowded fleet ; 
 And here retired the sinking biUows sleep, 
 And smiling calmness silvered o'er the deep. 
 I only in the bay refused to moor. 
 And fixed without my hawsers to the shore ; 
 From thence we climbed a point, whose airy brow 
 Commands the prospect of the plains below ; 
 No tracks of beasts, or signs of man, we found, 
 But smoking volumes rolling from the groimd." 
 
 Odyssey, B. x., 1. 101. — Pope's Translation. 
 
 All the ancient poets and historians seem to have chosen the Black 
 Sea for the theatre of the exploits of their heroes, and all their narratives 
 regard it as the point whence cinlization and wealth proceed. 
 
THE SCENES OF ULYSSEs' WANDERINGS. 5 
 
 After leaving this spot, Ulysses proceeded to the island of Oa, where 
 dwelt Circe, the daughter of the Sun. This was evidently Colchis, or 
 Mingrelia; which may be easily recognised by the broad river, and the 
 vast forests which covered its banks. 
 
 From Colchis, the enchantress directs Ulysses to steer his course to 
 Pluto's kingdom, and visit the house of Ades, or Death, where the 
 Cocytus and Acheron mingle their waves with the Pyriphlegethon. 
 
 Crossing the empire of Keptune, our hero reaches a coast of easy 
 access, which to Ulysses appeared to be the end of the world. He is 
 here described as finding one of the entrances to the infernal regions. 
 Both in Taman and at Kertch, exist the springs of black and burning 
 naphtha, which roll their stinking waters like the Cocytus and Acheron ; 
 and there also are the mud volcanoes which belch forth at times fire 
 and water. 
 
 Then Ulysses returns to Circe, starts for Ithaca, and leaves the 
 Black Sea by passing through Scylla and Charybdis, which closed the 
 entrance with their rocks surrounded by whirlpools. These are the 
 islands of the "blue Symplegades," familiar to all who have- passed from 
 Constantinople to the Crimea, standing at the entrance of the Bosphorus : 
 Homer cannot mean the Straits of Messina, because he states, "You 
 must pass at an equal distance between two fatal rocks. Incline never 
 so little either to the one side or the other and your ship must meet 
 with certain destruction. No vessel ever yet tried that pass, without 
 being lost, but the Argo, which owed her safety to the sacred fi-eight 
 she bore— the fleece of the Golden Ram." 
 
6 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 GRECIAN COLONIZATION OF THE COASTS OF THE EUXINE. 
 
 The evidence of Herodotus is most decisive as to the original occupation 
 of a portion of the coast on the Euxine by the Egj-ptians, prior to 
 the arrival of the Greeks ; and he attributes to them the first 
 introduction of the arts into Hellas. The records of antiquity which 
 Egvpt has furnished to us prove that the Greek system of civilization 
 was not indigenous. The architectural and sculptural wonders which 
 have rendered Greece so illustrious, appear to have been partly derived 
 from the valley of the Nile. 
 
 We are told that on the fall of Troy the restless Grecian chiefs 
 dispersed in quest of new exploits : Menelaus to Phoenicia and Egypt ; 
 Diomede to the Adriatic ; Neoptolemus, son of Achilles, to the Euxine, 
 &c., &c. The discovery of the rich countries on the shores of the Black 
 Sea opened a new and vast field for commerce and colonization to this 
 bold and enterprising people. The fleet of Neoptolemus was soon 
 followed by that of the Milesians, from the city of Miletus, in Caria, 
 and consequently lonians — a people who seem originally to have been 
 what the Greeks call Barbarians ; although they were early incorporated 
 with them in their military exploits, and were, in fact, the Swiss, or 
 soldiers of fortune of that period — ever ready to hire themselves out to 
 belligerent powers, or co-operate where rich plunder was the prize. 
 These professional warriors soon vanquished the feeble forces that opposed 
 them, and founded several colonies in Asia Minor; such as Trapezius, 
 Sinope, &c. They rapidly extended their settlements along the Taurie 
 coast, as far as the Cimmerian Bosphorus ; building in succession the 
 cities of Theodosia, Parthenium (Yenekali), Heracleum (Arabat), 
 
MILESIAN SETTLEMENTS. / 
 
 Panticapaeum, and others ; then passing the Straits, they founded the city 
 of Phanagoria, and continuing their posts along the Asiatic shore, 
 they erected their great northern mart Azoff, on the Don, then the 
 river Tanais. 
 
 Their establishments rose with extraordinary rapidity, and extended 
 to the south and east of Phanagoria ; where the rich kingdom of 
 Colchis was founded. To the north of Colchis is the river Phase, now 
 Ehion, navigable for eighty miles, or as far as Kutais, by ships drawing 
 four feet water. The lucrative Indian trade flowed into it, and the 
 gold-dust, washed dowa in quantities by the mountain torrents fi'om the 
 Caucasus, was collected then, as it now is, on sheep-skins sunk in the 
 rivers ; the wool of which, when drawn out of the water, being bespangled 
 with particles of the precious metal, resembled, and was therefore 
 denominated, the golden fieece. 
 
 The city of Sebastopolis, celebrated as a great mercantile emporium 
 as far back as the middle ages, was erected in Colchis ; and the 
 Empress Catherine has preserved and transferred to another spot the name 
 of this famous Greek and Roman mart ; which was once frequented 
 by traders of so many different nations, that we are informed one 
 hundred and twenty interpreters were obliged to be kept there, to facilitate 
 its vast commerce. 
 
 The j\Iilesians also founded a famous emporium at about twelve 
 miles from the present Nicolaef, in the province of Cherson, and called 
 it Olbia; the vestiges of which are still to be found. Odessus, now 
 Varna, was also settled by ^lilesians as early as 595 before Christ. 
 At first independent of one another, these Milesian colonies wei'e 
 influenced by an ine\dtable chain of events, and in the year 420 
 before Christ, theu* political union gave rise to the kingdom of the 
 Bosphorus. Agriculture being the essential basis of the public wealth 
 of the Milesians, the attention of the new government was directed 
 especially to this important branch of industry. : 
 
8 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 I have already stated that amongst the earliest of the jMilesian 
 settlements in the Taurida was Panticapa^um, now Kertch. It seems 
 always to have been the capital of the kingdom of the Bosphorus, and 
 the residence of its princes; whose sway, under the great Mithridates, 
 extended over the whole of the Crimea. From the industrious habits 
 of its colonists, it speedily rose in agricultural prosperity, and was in its 
 palmiest days the granary of Athens. 
 
 Strabo informs us that Leucon II., the seventh king of the 
 Bosphorus, during a great scarcity in Greece, sent to his friends the 
 Athenians, one hundred thousand Grecian medemnas of wheat (three 
 hundred and thirty millions of pounds weight) from the city of Theodosia, 
 where he resided; and that the gi'ateful republicans rewarded him by 
 electing him a citizen of Athens: an honour then held in high esteem 
 by foreign princes. The event was at the same time commemorated by 
 the erection of three columns, one of which was set up at Athens, one 
 at Panticapsum, and a third near the temple of the Argonauts, which 
 stood West of the Kuban, on the road between the two ancient kingdoms 
 of Phanagoria and Colchis. This gift of corn by Leucon is also 
 mentioned by Demosthenes in an oration against Settines ; and we further 
 learn from this eloquent speech, that Theodosia was then one of the 
 most famous cities of the ancient world. 
 
 The Milesians called their new city Panticapajum, and dedicated it to 
 the sylvan god Pan ; adopting his effigy as a monetary type, probably from 
 the analogy of the name with that of their city, and also because of 
 the abundance of the vine found in the country : the worship of Bacchus 
 beincr general amongst them.* The citv was built on a range of hills, 
 
 * Mi. Hogg, the Secretary of the Royal Society of Literature, in a paper read before 
 tlie institution, argues, " that if the derivation of the word Panticapseum had been from the 
 god Pan, it would have been Panicapcmm. M. Anatole de Demidoff has, with more 
 probability, observed that the etymology of the name might seem to be the words Panti 
 and Kepas, signifying in the Dorian dialect, everywhere and garden — that is, an entire 
 
SITE OF PANTICAP.BUM. 9 
 
 which formed at this period an isthmus into the bay, the Acropolis 
 occupying the foreground. Strabo tells us that it was twenty stades 
 in circumference, very closely built, and defended by a port. The sea 
 has now receded into the bay, but a shallow salt-water lake still marks 
 the extent to which the water formerly ascended. No art was needed to 
 add to the beauty of this situation : with the ocean washing it on three 
 sides, and from its height commanding an extensive view of the 
 surrounding country and of the Circassian coast beyond the Straits, it 
 is yet one of the finest in the Crimea. 
 
 The range of heights on which Panticapseum was built occupied a 
 plateau, from a point called Mons Mithridates, which was formerly a 
 precipice above the sea — its height being about four hundred feet. The 
 Acropolis was erected upon this precipice ; and probably from it 
 Mithridates threw the body of his son Xiphanes into the waves ; 
 there being no other spot so connected with the site of the city which 
 would illustrate the text of Appian, who says that the deed was done 
 in sight of the mother, on account of a fault committed by her. 
 Traces of the foundation of the palace of Mithridates are still visible, 
 near a small semicircular excavation in the rock, which is a work of 
 great antiquity. At the extreme west of the site of the ancient city is 
 a large artificial hill ; the height and size of which are so remarkable 
 that it is scarcely possible to believe the mound to be the work of 
 human labour. Pallas, unable to reconcile this surprising tumulus with 
 any reference to history, or to his own notions of its being an artificial 
 heap, endeavours to account for it by a natural process. But that it is 
 the work of man is very evident ; for it is surrounded to its summit 
 
 garden, or altogether a garden. But we cannot, I think, receive this as correct ; for the 
 Milesians, who settled on the coast, came from Ionia, and would consequently speak the 
 Ionic, not the Doric dialect. On the contrary, I conceive that the name of the city is simply 
 of Scythian origin, it having been derived from the river Panticapes, in Sarmatia or Scythia, 
 to w^hich the Greek termination alov, amn, was added." 
 
10 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 with a circular wall of Cyclopean masonry, formed of immense unshapen 
 masses of stone placed regularly together without any cement. In shape 
 the mound is hemispherical, and its substance consists of large stones 
 confusedly heaped together. The Eussian Government have explored this 
 hill most effectually. In its centre two large chambers were found ; 
 and on its sides two others; in each of which treasure to a very large 
 amount was discovered. 
 
 From this artificial hill the inner vallum or barrier extended on each 
 side to the sea. And the work still exists in an entire state, varying 
 in height from five to seven feet, and about the same in breadth ; having 
 a fosse of from ten to fifteen feet in breadth in front, and passing across 
 the peninsula to the Sea of Azoff. Some miles further is the second 
 vallum; and a third was placed across from Arabat to Theodosia. 
 
THE CHERSONESUS HERACLEA.* 11 
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 TEJIPLE OF DIANA— IXSAXUBRITY OF THE CLB1.\.TE OF THE (^RIJIEA. 
 
 Stimulated by the success of the Milesians, another of the great Hellenic 
 races, proceeding from Heraclea (a town on the opposite coast of the 
 Black Sea in Bithynia, where, during the late war, coal mines had been 
 opened to supply our fleets) endeavoured on their side to found colonies 
 in the Crimea. 
 
 They turned to the western part of the peninsula, and disembarked 
 not far from the celebrated Cape Parthenike, or the cape of the Virgin, 
 now called Cape Violente or St. George ; and having driven back into 
 the mountains the savage Tauri, they formed the famous city of Cherson, 
 in the seventh century before Christ, and named it, in honor of the 
 mother country, Chersonesus Heraclea. 
 
 This little peninsula is surrounded on three sides by water. It is 
 cut off from the rest of the Crimea by a low valley, in which a stream 
 runs, between Inkerman and Balaklava. The wall which marked out 
 its boundary may still be traced at the foot of the hills running parallel 
 with the valley. The space within the walls is covered with ruins, the 
 extent of which proves the great commercial importance to which this 
 colony had attained. 
 
 The Chersonesians, who were Dorians, were always rivals of the 
 Bosphorians at Panticapjeum, and the two colonies were continually at 
 war; until both were imited by Diophantes, a general under the sway 
 of Mithridates the Great, in the last century before the Christian era. 
 
 Ensconced to the west, in the ledge of a precipice, is the romantic 
 Greek Monastery of St. George. This spot looks as if it were suspended 
 by enchantment at several hundred feet above the sea, in the midst of 
 
12 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 an amphitheatre of black basaltic rock, which rises majestically around, 
 and forms a striking contrast to the rich verdure in which the monastery 
 is hidden. 
 
 A door and staircase cut in the rock form the only entrance to the 
 Hermitage : these were no doubt first excavated by those dwellers 
 underground whose remains are so numerous in the Crimea. 
 
 On visiting this spot in the month of September, 1855, the remains 
 of an aqueduct formed of concave tiles — exactly similar in construction 
 to one which I came upon during my excavations at Kertch — was pointed 
 out to me. It was four feet under the surface, and was traced for a 
 considerable distance, by some workmen engaged in preparing the 
 foundation for a hospital about to be erected. 
 
 On this cape stood the temple of the Tauric Diana, famous in early 
 history. To this goddess all strangers were sacrificed who suffered 
 shipwreck on this inhospitable coast ; and it derived its ancient name 
 from this sanguinary virgin divinity of the Tauri. 
 
 When the Greeks arrived from Heraclea, they brought in the 
 worship of Hercules and Diana; and as they always respected the religion 
 of the countries they visited, and found a great resemblance between 
 their own Diana and the virgin of the Tauri, they probably merged the 
 two into one, under the name of the Tauric Diana ; discontinuing, 
 however, the barbarous custom of off'ering human victims. 
 
 Both Guthrie and Clarke dwell on the extreme insalubrity of this 
 peninsula; more especially that portion between Balaklava and Inkerman. 
 The former, it is asserted, " is one of the most unhealthy spots in all 
 the Taurida, and its inhabitants are constantly lamenting the unhappy 
 fate of their friends and relatives, cut off by an unknown enemy which 
 pours out death and disease from a hidden source. The deadly vapour 
 so destructive here seems to be a putrid marsh miasmata, a pestiferous 
 blast which chases even the hardy Russian troops from the modern 
 Cherson." 
 
CLIMATE OF THE CRIMEA. 13 
 
 Regarding the climate of the Crimea generally, Clarke states that 
 fevers are so prevalent during the summer that it is hardly possible to 
 avoid them. " If you drink water after eating fruit, a fever follows. If 
 you eat milk, eggs, or butter, a fever. If, during the scorching heat of 
 the day, you indulge in the most trivial neglect of clothing, a fever. If 
 you venture out to enjoy the delightful breezes of the evening, a fever. 
 In short, such is the dangerous nature of the climate to strangers, that 
 Russia must consider the country a cemetery for the troops which are 
 sent to maintain its possession. 
 
 " This is not the case with regard to the native inhabitants. The 
 precautions they use, added to their experience, insure their safety. 
 Upon the slightest change of weather, they are seen muffled up in sheep 
 skins, and covered by thick felts, while their heads are swathed in 
 numerous bandages of linen, or guarded by warm stuffed caps fenced 
 with wool." 
 
 The alternations between heat and cold in this country arc extreme. 
 At one time in the twenty-four hours the heat exceeds that of an Indian 
 sun, and the surface of the body is bedewed ^\-ith a salutary moisture; 
 then suddenly the wind changes, this moisture becomes cold and clammy, 
 and a revulsion instantly takes place to one of the internal organs, giving 
 rise to a tissue of disorders which speedily undermine the system. 
 
 The sick of the force to which I was attached averaged from two 
 to three per cent, only ; and this satisfactory state was in a gi'eat measure 
 attributable to the precautions adopted to prevent those sudden chills 
 which lead to such sad and often fatal consequences. 
 
 . It is difficult to conceive that, in a coimtry situated in the same 
 latitude as Venice, namely, 45 degrees North (where the freezing of 
 the sea would be considered a prodigj), the rigour of the winter should 
 be so great. Herodotus sums up his account of the climate as follows : — 
 
 1st. That they have eight months winter: seldom rains during this 
 period. 
 
14 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 2nd. That if water is thrown on the ground it freezes, and that 
 nothing but fire can produce mud or dirt then. 
 
 3rd. Summer is rather short and wet, and thunder is seldom heard. 
 
 At a period long prior to the Christian era, we are told that 
 ]\Iithridates defeated the Barbarians during the summer in a naval 
 engagement opposite Kertch ; and that on exactly the same spot he 
 afterwards encountered and defeated them on the ice, in a cavalry action. 
 And we may judge of the duration of the winter, by the fact placed on 
 record, that early in the month of October, 763, and on the 4th 
 February, 1769, the ice was so strong that loads on carts were transported 
 across the Straits. A gentleman who has been many years resident in 
 the Crimea, informs me that in the years 1845-46 and 48 he has seen 
 waggon loads of hay cross from the town of Taman to Kertch, and that 
 during the last thirteen years seldom a season passed that the post was 
 unable to cross upon the ice. 
 
 These instances of severe winter in the Euxine would justify the 
 lamentations of Ovid; who, in his letter to Vestalis, written from Tome, 
 his place of exile on the Dniester, bitterly complains that not only was 
 the Euxine frozen, but even the wine he was going to drink. 
 
SUPPOSED LOCAL DELUGES. 15 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 SUPPOSED LOCAL DELUGES— EARLY GREEK PRINCES IN THE CRIMEA— inTHRIDATES 
 
 THE GREAT TAKES POSSESSION. 
 
 Besides the settlements already enumerated, the Greeks raised commercial 
 cities on the Dniester and Dnieper on the west, and Odessa, as far as 
 the Danuhe, on the south. The rest of the coast, down to Byzantium, 
 now Constantinople, was occupied by the Thracians ; hence its fine and 
 secure port has been denominated the Thracian Bosphorus. 
 
 There are many indications which tend to prove that the Euxine 
 was once much higher than it now is. Some of the rocks along the 
 coast are marked in a peculiar manner, at a considerable height, 
 indicating, tradition says, the places where formerly ships were fastened. 
 This would lead us to give credit to the accounts of the ancients 
 relative to the bursting of a passage through the Thracian Bosphorus, 
 prior to which the Black and Caspian Seas had been united. Diodorus 
 Siculus tells us, for example, that the Samothracians, who were inhabitants 
 of an island at the entrance of the Hellespont, complain that, besides the 
 universal deluge, they have been afflicted by two others peculiar to 
 themselves : first, when the mouth of the Cianes, the ancient name for 
 the Thracian Bosphorus, burst open ; and next, when the waters of the 
 Euxine broke through the entrance of the Hellespont, on the Sea of 
 Marmora becoming too full. He explains the local deluge in the following 
 manner : — 
 
 " The Euxine, being shut up on all sides like a lake, while a 
 number of large rivers were pouring their waters into it, became at last 
 so full as to force a passage through the Thracian Bosphorus into the 
 Propontis (Sea of Marmora) ; and when that little lake could hold no 
 
16 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 more, it again burst through the Hellespont (Dardanelles), and laid 
 under water not only many of the plains of Samothracia, but even a 
 part of Asia." 
 
 No correct record has been handed down to us of the very early 
 Greek princes who ruled over the Cimmerian Bosphorus and neighbouring 
 settlements. But we have definite historical information, that they were 
 denominated Archceanactides, or ancient chiefs, and that they first became 
 connected with the country and began to plant colonies about 650 years 
 before Christ. Neoptolemus — on the death of his father, Achilles, during 
 the Trojan war — as I have already stated, migrated to this coast, and 
 these chiefs were his descendants. 
 
 Spartacus was the first prince of whom we read in history, about 
 480 years before Christ. It is proved, by inscriptions, that he and his 
 descendants styled themselves Archons of Panticapteum and Theodosia, 
 and Kings of Sindi, Toreti and Dandari — native populations. Leucon, 
 already referred to, was the fifth : his reign extended forty years. The 
 medallic history of the Bosphorus began with him : with him too the 
 colony began to assume that importance which it afterwards attained. 
 He released the Athenians from the " Thirtieth," which they had hitherto 
 paid as an export duty on grain. By this and his other liberal measures 
 of free trade, Panticapieum speedily became the granary of Greece. 
 Merchants flocked to it from all quarters, where they bought woollen 
 cloths, furs, and the salted fish which still forms one of the staples of 
 Southern Eussia. The imports are little spoken of in history, but it 
 is evident, from the results of the excavations at Kertch, that they must 
 have consisted of articles of luxury. 
 
 From the days of Solomon, 700 years before Chi'ist, an extensive 
 trade had been carried on with India ; and he probably only followed 
 the track beaten for thousands of years before him. The Bosphorians 
 received in return for their productions a portion of this trade, as well 
 as all the manufactured articles which luxury and riches had introduced 
 
PRINCES OF THE BOSPHORUS. 17 
 
 into usage at Athens. And it is not improbable that the magnificent 
 relics of antiquity and works of art M'hich had been collected in the 
 museum of Kertch, since unhappily scattered and destroyed, had been 
 introduced from the same brilliant metropolis. This proves that the 
 agricultural colonists of the Crimea were not behind their kinsmen in 
 love for the arts and the refinements of civilized life. 
 
 There is no trace of white marble in the Crimea, nor on the northern 
 shores of the Black Sea, although quantities of it have been found in 
 the excavations around Kertch ; there is every reason to believe, therefore, 
 that materials for building must have formed an important part of the 
 imports, and that the enormous pieces of sculpture and bas-reliefs, which 
 were employed there in the public and private buildings, were brought 
 ready worked from the quarries of Greece. 
 
 Following Leucon, were four princes in succession ; a blank then 
 takes place in the Bosphoric history for a period of one hundred and 
 seventy years. Up to this period, notwithstanding the dangerous 
 neighbourhood of the Sarmatians, the kingdom of the Bosphorus enjoyed 
 perfect tranquillity for more than three hundred years. 
 
 At this epoch, the Bosphorians were attacked by the Scythians ; 
 and, being too feeble to resist them, threw themselves into the arms of 
 Mithridates : their king, Periscades, declaring that he was unable to resist 
 the inroads of the barbaric tribes who now began to press upon Eastern 
 Europe and Western Asia, and that he could not think of permitting his 
 beloved subjects to spill their blood in so unequal a contest — after having 
 bled so often in his defence. Mithridates, on securing his possessions 
 here, gave the government of this colony — now become a province of 
 Pontus ■ — to his son, Machares ; returning himself to his capital, Sinope. 
 Up to this period, 120 years before Christ, we have a list of eleven kings 
 handed down to us, independent princes of the Bosphorus. 
 
18 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 CHAPTEE V. 
 
 CONQUESTS OF inXHRIDATES— DETHKONEIEENT BY HIS SOX— HIS DEATH— HIS 
 
 POWER AJSTD GREATNESS. 
 
 The Kingdom of Pontus was not established until after the conquest of 
 Persia by Alexander, b.c. 334, when Mithridates, styled Eupator, or 
 the Illustrious, became hereditary satrap of this portion of the Persian 
 Empire. While yet a child of eleven years of age, he was educated by 
 the Greeks in his capital, Sinope, in the arts of war, and in all the 
 knowledge of the times. On coming of age, with the view to enlarge 
 his views, he travelled for three years through many parts of the East. 
 On his return, he began his system of independence; and failing to 
 receive justice for certain encroachments on his patrimony by the 
 Romans, he, with the rapidity of Alexander himself, formed an army, and 
 not onlv recovered all Asia Minor, but even drove the Romans out of 
 Greece, Macedon, and Thrace. He also subdued with wonderful 
 celerity all the Greek colonies from the Thracian Bosphorus eastward to 
 Phanagoria and the Taurida, which were at this time divided between 
 the Bosphorites and Chersonites. His second son Pharnaces received 
 Phanagoria and adjoining colonies as his appanage. Mithridates now led 
 his victorious army to the opposite side of the Euxine, reduced the 
 Heraclea Chersonesus, after a vigorous defence by its ruler, Scilurus, and 
 his fifty sons, and ultimately extended his empire as far as the Dniester, 
 the Tyros of the ancients. 
 
 While Mithridates was engaged with his army elsewhere, he was 
 called to defend his kingdom of Pontus, again invaded by the Romans. 
 His rebellious sons, Machares and Pharnaces, leagued at the same time 
 to accomplish his overthrow. In the Kingdom of Pontus he was 
 
DETHRONEMENT AND DEATH OF MITHRIDATES. 19 
 
 defeated by Pompey ; on which, accompanied by three hundred horse, 
 he fled to his kingdom on the Bosphorus. His son Machares, dreading 
 punishment, took refuge in Arabat, the Heracleum of Ptolemy, where 
 he was killed by some of his father's faithful subjects. The old King 
 now set about making vigorous preparations for executing the bold 
 project of a descent into Italy, in order, by attacking the Roman 
 dominions, to oblige the Senate to recall Pompey. But the Bosphoric 
 troops, being partly composed of Eoman deserters, trembled at the 
 thought of trusting themselves in Italy ; consequently his rebellious son 
 Pharnaces found it an easy matter to stir up revolt, both in the army 
 encamped before the city and in the fleet moored in the port of 
 Panticapajum. 
 
 The venerable hero had gone to rouse his troops to the bold 
 enterprise which he meditated : and the chair, hewn out of the solid 
 rock, from which he then addressed the assembled multitude, is as 
 distinctly visible now as it was at the time he sat upon it. But he 
 found his son Pharnaces, whom he had pardoned for an attempt on his 
 life, in open rebellion against him ; whereupon he left the camp in 
 despair, and shut himself up in his fortress. Convinced that all was 
 lost, and hearing the shouts of his troops proclaiming the traitor king, 
 Mithridates, after some fruitless attempts to gain permission from his 
 rebellious son to spend his few remaining days in retirement, besought 
 the gods, from the battlements where he stood, to make his son one 
 day feel the anguish of a father in a similar situation. Then, retiring 
 into the interior of his palace, he dismissed with presents and blessings 
 his few remaining friends ; and fearing that his son would deliver him 
 over to the Eomans, on whom he had made war for forty years, he 
 resolved to destroy himself. His two favourite daughters, Mithridata 
 and Nissa, brides of the King of Egypt and Cyprus, seeing his intention, 
 resolved to die with their father, rather than live slaves to Rome ; and 
 all three partook of the poison-cup which Mithridates always carried 
 
20 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 about with him in his sword-belt, ready at hand, lest at any time he 
 might fall into the hands of the haughty Romans. The parricide son 
 sent his father's body to Pompey, who buried it with great splendour 
 and state in the tomb of his ancestors at Sinope. 
 
 Thus fell, by domestic treason, in the 70th year of his age, after 
 a glorious reign of fifty-seven years, the renowned Mithridates, the hero 
 of his country, and the greatest sovereign of his time — a promoter of 
 trade, and a great patron of letters ; which he must have cultivated 
 himself to good purpose, for we are told that he could address the 
 ambassadors of twenty-two nations (the number living under the sway 
 of his sceptre) each in his own language. 
 
 His death freed the Romans from an enemy who had for forty 
 years resisted the strength and policy of the great Republic. Mithridates 
 set their power at defiance, and is acknowledged by the Latin wi-iters 
 to have given more trouble to Rome than Pyrrhus or Hannibal, wdth 
 the Kings of Scythia and Macedon united ; for he ever scorned the 
 slavery and subjection which the Romans imposed on other sovereigns. 
 But the best testimony to his greatness was the rejoicing in Rome on the 
 occasion of his death. We learn from the famous orator Cicero, in whose 
 consulship the joyful tidings were received, that the Senate decreed a 
 twelve days' festival in order to thank the gods for their wonderful 
 deliverance ; while the tribunes enacted that Pompey should wear a crown 
 of laurel and triumphal robes. 
 
 The force at the disposal of Mithridates was almost beyond belief. 
 In one of his campaigns he had under his command 400 ships, 50,000 
 horse, and 250,000 foot ; with all the engines of war and arms necessary 
 for so vast a multitude. 
 
 He received a personal allowance from his Bosphorian empire of 
 720,000 bushels of corn, and 200,000 ounces of silver; and at his death 
 the amount of treasure which he had accumulated was so great that, in 
 one of his cities, Tahura, it took the Roman commissaries thirty days to 
 
TREASURES OF MITHRIDATES. 21 
 
 prepare an inventory of his valuables. These consisted of costly trinkets, 
 gems, cups, and salvers of gold, all of the most curious workmanship; 
 and a number of massive gold statues, amongst which was one of himself, 
 eio^ht cubits hicrh. 
 
 The source whence this wonderful profusion of the precious metal 
 was derived was most probably the rich kingdom of Colchis, which so early 
 attracted the aridity of the Greeks to carry off its "golden fleece." The 
 inhabitants still intercept the particles of gold by means of sheep-skins 
 placed in the rivers ; the mines whence this supply is obtained being 
 possibly known to and worked by the ancients. 
 
22 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 SUBJUGATION BY THE EOJIANS UNTDER JULIUS C^SAB— INVASIONS OE THE ALANS, 
 GOTHS, AND HUNS — VENETIAN AND GENOESE COLONISTS — THE TLTiKISH 
 DOJIINATION— ENGLISH MERCHANTS— CHAKACTER OF THE TLTIKS— THE EUSSL&N 
 OCCUPATION. 
 
 After the defeat and death of her implacable enemy, Rome preserved to 
 the traitor Pharnaces the crown of the Bosphorus ; but the sovereignty 
 of the new prince was only nominal, and the successors of the son of 
 Mithridates, without power, and despoiled of their possessions on the 
 Asiatic side of the Bosphorus, depended for the maintenance of their 
 dignity on the caprice of the Roman Emperors. 
 
 The whole of the vast dominions which had been under the sway of 
 IMithridates, were speedily reduced to Eoman pro\dnces. The parricide 
 Pharnaces remained as tributary prince over the Taurida and Bosphorus; 
 until, in an unsuccessful attempt to recover his father's lost provinces, he 
 met with the just punishment of his crime. His defeat and dethronement 
 were the result of the famous battle begun by Julius Cajsar with the 
 memorable words, "Shall this treacherous parricide go unpunished?" 
 and it was in relating his victory to the Senate that Csesar uttered the 
 memorable words, " Veni, vidi, vici." 
 
 It were needless to enumerate the other princes who ruled over this 
 kingdom. There were thirty-six in all. The coins struck after the date 
 of the last prince bear on the reverse either the portraits or names of 
 the Eoman Emperors, their lords paramount. Saromates VI. was the 
 last sovereign ; his Roman contemporary being Constantine the Great. 
 The rulers latterly had much degenerated, and the art of coining, in 
 which at one time they had so much excelled, had all but disappeared. 
 
SUCCESSIVE INVASIONS OF BARBARIANS. 23 
 
 The kingdom of the Bosphorus existed from 650 years before Christ 
 until about 340 of our era, or close upon one thousand years. 
 
 The Alans now ravaged the country. The Goths displaced them, 
 retaining possession for a considerable period ; and the name of Gothia 
 remained to it till nearly the end of the sixteenth century. The conquerors 
 mixed intimately with the vanquished people, and gave themselves up to 
 their taste for a sedentary and agricultural life. But the Crimea could not 
 rise from the obscurity to which it was condemned by the great political 
 events which signalized the first century of the Christian era. 
 
 In the midst of the first invasions of the Barbarians, the little 
 republic of Cherson, protected by its remote and inaccessible situation, 
 preserved its independence. In the reign of the Emperor Diocletian, 
 the Chersonites had centred in themselves the commerce which had 
 existed between the Crimea and shores of the Black Sea ; and their 
 republic was the most powerful state in the peninsula. They gradually 
 occupied the whole of the Crimea, as well as the opposite side of the 
 Cimmerian Bosphorus ; and becoming converts to Christianity, they procured 
 bishops from Constantinople. 
 
 The Huns, accompanied by the Kzars, poured down from the interior 
 of Asia, and annihilated the Goths. Other barbarous hordes succeeded 
 one another thereafter ; of whom the greater number have left no trace but 
 a name. To these there succeeded two remarkable nations : one, the 
 conqueror of Asia, was just founding the most gigantic empire of the 
 middle ages ; and the other, issuing from a merchant city in Italy, was 
 destined to make Kzaria — as it was then denominated — the centre of 
 commercial relations between Europe and Asia. 
 
 The remarkable invasion of the Mogul Tartars took place in 1226, 
 and about the same period the Venetians began to predominate in the 
 Euxine. Towards the decline of the Eastern Koman Empire, the latter 
 assisted in seating a Latin prince on the throne of Constantinople, and 
 expelled for a time the Turks; thus securing for themselves a monopoly 
 
24 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 of the trade. For a short time the fleets of Venice rode triumphant on 
 the Black and AzofiF Seas, and she retained settlements on its shores, 
 until a second revolution threw the commerce and colonies of the Euxine 
 into the hands of her rivals, the Genoese, who restored the Greek dynasty, 
 and thus monopolized in turn all the mercantile advantages enjoyed by 
 the Venetians. The Genoese being as intelligent and active as the Greeks, 
 and endowed with a still bolder mercantile instinct, the Crimea was destined 
 to enjov, for a time, a gi-eater commercial grandeur than at any period 
 since the Milesians founded their colony on the Cimmerian Bosphorus. 
 Already masters of important factories at Constantinople, the Genoese 
 had long been able to apreciate the position of the Black Sea, and the 
 immense resources which it placed at their command. It was in 1280 
 that this democratic republic founded a sort of empire in the Taurida, 
 and selected the ancient city of Theodosia for its capital. They 
 monopolized the commerce of the Euxine for nearly two centuries. The 
 riches and plunder which they amassed during this period obtained for 
 them the name of the Golden Horde ; and they had gradually gained 
 such an ascendancy as to be able to influence the choice of a Khan, 
 and settle disputes relative to succession : for, however little they were 
 disposed to acknowledge it, both the Venetian and Genoese colonists 
 were always vassals, and paid tribute to the Tartar ruler of the country. 
 
 Under the Genoese, the Crimea saw revived one of the most brilliant 
 epochs of its history. Kaffa, or Theodosia, rivalled Constantinople ; and 
 the possession of Kertch and Balaklava rendered them masters of the 
 southern coast. Tana, situated at the mouth of the Don, was taken from 
 the Tartars. Numerous factories rose in Colchis ; and the imperial town of 
 Trebizonde itself was obliged to allow an establishment there. 
 
 The Crimea became a general entrepot for the rich productions of 
 Kussia, Asia Minor, Persia, and the Indies. Monopolizing all mercantile 
 exchanges between Europe and Asia, the Genoese colonists presented a 
 wonderful spectacle of prosperity and riches. 
 
CONQUEST BY THE TURKS. 25 
 
 The term of all this glory at last arrived. In 1453 the standard 
 of Mahomet was displayed on the dome of St. Sophia, and the relations 
 of the Crimea with the Mediterranean were broken. 
 
 Exulting in their strength and fancied security, the Genoese set the 
 authority of the local chief at defiance, and aimed at the sovereignty 
 of the country. The Khan, unable to cope with them alone, sought 
 the aid of the Turks from Constantinople. By the all-powerful aid of 
 Mahomet II., the ruling Sultan, who had just returned from a successful 
 expedition against Persia in 1473, the power of the haughty colonists 
 was completely humbled; they were transported to populate a suburb of 
 Constantinople, and confounded with the other slaves of the Ottoman 
 Empire. 
 
 On the fall of the Genoese, their rivals, the Venetians, applied 
 for the commerce of the Euxine; which the politic Mahomet granted, 
 on the express condition that fire-arms and gunpowder should constitute 
 a part of evei-y cargo. By this means he soon amassed a sufiicient 
 quantity of both to enable him to shut up the Thracian Bosphorus against 
 Venice and all other nations. 
 
 The English had the nominal right of navigating the Black Sea; 
 and there are some vestiges of our having had a footing there in the 
 days of Queen Elizabeth or James I. In the treaty made between 
 England and Turkey in 1675, there is an express article giving a 
 general permission of ingress and egress " to enable English merchants 
 and all under their banner to go by way of the Tanais into Moscovia, 
 and also to and from Persia, and to traffic bv land and sea through all 
 their confines." 
 
 The Turks now became rulers of this once classic country. It 
 would be contrary to the nature of things to find that civilization 
 advanced, or improvement was effected by them; wherever the Turks 
 hold sway, they convert what was once the centre of civilization, to a state 
 of barbarism. Their wretched peasantry may be improved ; but to do 
 
26 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 anything with the higher orders of the Mussulman community is impossible : 
 they are, morally, too debased and depraved in sentiment to reform, and 
 too proud to be dictated to. Satisfied to eke out an existence from 
 the means Pro^ddence has placed within their reach, and considering 
 themselves all that is perfect, they desire neither to search into the past, 
 nor look forward to the future. Has the blood and treasure lately so 
 freely lavished by enlightened Europe on their behalf improved them ? 
 Are her Christian subjects, on whose account the war was undertaken, 
 released from the thraldom which bound them ? No ! the bigotry of their 
 religion will not let them govern in a spirit of toleration. 
 
 Instead of being grateful for the exertions recently made to preserve 
 their independence, the Turks boast of having been the means of 
 " settinw the dog's to fiofht aijainst each other on their account : " these 
 are the exact words which were addressed to a medical gentleman connected 
 with the Sultan's harem by some of the inmates. They laugh at the 
 idea of enlisting into their army any portion of the Christian population, 
 or placing " Giaours " on an equality with themselves. The peasantry 
 are easily ruled ; but raise them one grade above the serf, and they 
 become cunning and deceitful. The private soldier, promoted to a corporal, 
 only values his rank on account of the opportunities it affords him of 
 improving his position by peculation or otherwise ; and so it is with all, 
 u]) to the highest grade. Every appointment of the State has a fixed 
 salary, and more than double its amount " can be made out of it." In 
 fact, they are to all intents an effete race ; and the sooner they cease to 
 rule in Europe the better : or they must be shorn of all independent 
 command, and ruled as we rule our Mahomedan subjects in India. 
 
 I will now close this epitome of the ancient history of the Taurida 
 and its adjoining states, by stating that in 1/71 the Russians finally 
 overthrew the Turks, and secured to themselves uninterrupted possession, 
 
 ^Ve have thus seen, that the Crimea has been connected with the 
 earliest history of Greece and the " most high and palmy state " of the 
 
ANALOGY OF RUSSIAN AND GREEK CEREMONIALS. 27 
 
 Eoman Empire; that its maritime cities were constantly occupied by the 
 enlightened commercial nations of Europe, enriching their inhabitants 
 and proving a nursery for seamen; and finally that its present possessors 
 appear to have obtained the Grecian mythology and customs from the 
 colonists anciently settled along the Euxine coast. In fact, so striking 
 are the analogies between the ceremonial usages of the Russian and the 
 Greek, that the ancient kingdom of Russia would almost appear to be a 
 regeneration of the latter empire. 
 
PART II. 
 
 DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHOR'S EESEARCHES 
 IN THE CIMMERIAN BOSPHORUS. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 ASPECT OF THE COtTNTKY ROUND KERTCH — ANCIENT SEPUT.CHRES — THE MODERN 
 TO'OTf — RUSSIAN VANDALISM — DESTRUCTION OF RUINS AN"D SUBSEQUENT 
 PRESERVATION OF SCULPTURES — THE TUMLXI. 
 
 The traveller on approaching Kertch, whether by land or by sea, beholds 
 a wide expanse of steppe or meadow land, having an undulating surface 
 dotted -R-ith ridges and mounds. As he nears the Necropolis of the 
 ancient ^Milesian city, these mounds assume the appearance of immense 
 cones. The surface of these mounds and ridges is so equally developed, 
 they are so regular in formation, so strikingly similar in every respect, 
 and so numerous, that the mind at once becomes convinced of their 
 artificial construction. 
 
 They are, in fact, sepulchres of the ancient world; and their size 
 and grandeur excite astonishing ideas of the wealth and power of the 
 people by whom they were erected : for the labour of construction must 
 have been prodigious and the expenditure enormous. Grotesque peaks of 
 coral rag arise from the plains, in the midst of these sepulchral monuments, 
 and give a sublime aspect to this vast field of the dead. 
 
 The modern town of Kertch is completely Russianized, being of recent 
 construction, and occupies a site beneath that of the ancient Panticapseum, 
 once the Queen city of the Bosphorus. It stands upon the western shore 
 of the straits, leading from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azoff, and 
 separating Europe from Asia; the bi-eadth of which, measured in 1068, over 
 the ice (as is recorded on a stone pillar now fixed at Taman), is 8,054 
 fathoms, corresponding exactly with the measurement given by Strabo. 
 But the actual channel for ships barely exceeds one mile and a half in 
 width, and this is gradually narrowing in consequence of the quantities of 
 
32 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 sand washed down by the current which always flows from the Sea of 
 Azoff. In the time of Peter the Great, at the taking of Azoff, corvettes 
 of forty guns could pass through these straits ; now they will not admit 
 vessels drawing more than twelve feet of water. 
 
 The modern appellation Kertch is a corruption of Gherseti, a name 
 given by the Turks to a fortress erected here by the Genoese, which was 
 called by the geographers of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries Bospro 
 or Vespro. 
 
 Russian vandalism has efi'aced all traces of the statelv ruins that 
 formerly existed here : the walls of the ancient city have been razed to 
 the ground, and its monuments have all been demolished. Since the 
 Eussians have possessed the Crimea, they have utterly annihilated all the 
 ancient remains of its former greatness ; and its beautiful architectural 
 structures have been displaced in order to supply materials for -the erection 
 of their huge uninteresting barracks. 
 
 The Russian Government, however, has shown, for some years past, a 
 laudable desire to preserve all fragments of interest ; and, with this view, 
 appointed a commission to collect into one place the mutilated tablets of 
 marble, the elegant arabesques, the bas-reliefs and other sculptures that 
 marked the origin and history of the colony. The Tumuli, which up to 
 this period had been common property, were taken under the protection of 
 Government. For hundreds of years these mounds have proved a mine 
 of wealth to the successive tribes and nations who have followed in the 
 wake of those who formed them. In fact, the importance of this ancient 
 Greek colony was only recognised on the discovery in these tombs, within 
 the last few years, of valuable antiquities and relics of art testifying to its 
 former greatness. 
 
 The local tradition is, that the Tumuli were raised over the remains 
 of the rulers who held sway over the colonists ; and that the earth 
 was heaped upon them annually on the anniversary of the decease of the 
 prince, and for a period of years corresponding to the rank or respect 
 
FORMATION OF THE TUMULI. 33 
 
 in which its tenant was held, or the time he had reigned over them : 
 and at this day the successive layers of earth heaped on each succeeding 
 year can be traced ; a thin coating of rushes, seaweed, charcoal or other 
 substance having been apparently first put down, with the view probably 
 of preventing the moisture of the fresh soil permeating that below and 
 thus displacing it. The thickness of these fresh layers of earth is 
 usually from one to three feet, according to the height of the mounds : 
 which are to be seen of all sizes, varying in circumference from ten to 
 four hundred feet, and having an elevation of from five to one hundred 
 and fifty. A Tumulus four hundred by one hundred feet, not an uncommon 
 size, would give in cubic measure three millions of cubic feet of earth 
 and stone to form the sepulchre ; for they are usually composed of 
 surface soil, broken pottery, stone, and in fact debris of every sort. 
 
 I have distinctly traced as many as thirty-four layers in a scarp 
 formed in one of these mounds, at a depth reaching only to about 
 two-thirds of its height ; and the probability is that there would have 
 been as many more visible if the entire mound had been cut down to 
 the base. 
 
 These sepulchres of the ancient world are found in many countries ; we 
 have them in the form of barrows in England, and cairns in Scotland. It 
 seems to have been the custom of the age in which these heaps were 
 raised, to bring stones or earth from all parts of the country to the tomb 
 of a deceased sovereign. To add to the heap was esteemed an act of 
 loyalty or of piety ; and the expression of friendship or afifection, " I will 
 cast a stone upon thy grave," is still used in the North of Scotland. 
 Calculated as these mounds are for almost endless duration, they present 
 the simplest and sublimest monument that could have been raised over 
 the dead. And when we reflect that these huge heaps were raised for the 
 purpose of inhuming a single body, customs and superstitions are manifested 
 which serve to illustrate the origin of the pyramids of Egypt, and the 
 caves of Ellora and Elephanta. 
 
34 ANTIQUITIES 'OF KERTCH. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 SCYTHIAN MODE OF SEPULTURE ADOPTED BY THE GREEKS— RUSSIAN RESEARCHES 
 AND THEIK RESULTS — DESCRIPTION OF THE TUMULI BY MR. WINTER JONES 
 AND M. ANTON ASHIK — MR. RUSSELL'S ACCOUNT OF THE PLUNDER OF THE 
 KERTCH MUSEUM. 
 
 Acting on the same principle which prompts us to erect an obelisk 
 or a monument in memory of our great men, our primitive forefathers 
 dug a deep shaft in the earth, in which they placed the remains of their 
 rulers, with some valuables, and over this was raised the mound. We have 
 the authority of Herodotus, the father of history, who wrote so far back 
 as 450 years before the birth of Christ, for asserting, that the Scythians, 
 who we have seen were possessors of the Taurida, adopted this mode 
 of perpetuating the memory of their deceased princes. 
 
 He states that " in the event of a king's decease they envelope the 
 body in wax, open the belly and cleanse it out, then stuff it full of 
 turmeric and aromatics, together with parsley and anise seed. They now 
 dig a deep square fosse, and place the body in its grave on a bed of 
 grass, planting spears on both sides. The people receive the dead body 
 and act in this manner. They cut off the tips of their ears, shave the 
 hair around their heads, make incisions in their arms, lacerate their faces 
 and noses, and drive arrows through their left hands. In the vacant 
 space left around the body in the fosse they now lay one of the king's 
 concubines, whom they strangle for the purpose — his cup-bearer, his cook, 
 his groom, his page, and all his things, as gold cups, &c., &c. In 
 another place he states that fifty of his slaves are also strangled. 
 Having so done, all fall to work throwing up an immense mound, 
 striving and vieing with one another who shall do the most." 
 
RUSSIAN RESEARCHES AND THEIR RESULTS. 35 
 
 The Greeks, who always respected the religion of the countries 
 they had conquered, and who, to a certain extent, gradually followed 
 their customs and religious observances, appear to have adopted this 
 Scythian mode of burial. Instead, however, of placing their deceased 
 princes or magistrates in a deep square fosse, they formed a tomb of 
 stone, and over this heaped the conical mound. 
 
 It cannot be supposed that these rich sepulchres escaped the cupidity 
 of the barbarous settlers who succeeded the Greeks. The Genoese, it 
 is well known, explored the largest and most valuable of them. They 
 appear also to have skilfully reclosed their excavations, which were effected 
 by means of a direct shaft from the apex of the mound ; and it is only 
 by piercing into the substance of it, that their marks can be traced: as 
 we learned to our cost in prosecuting these researches. But it was not 
 until the Russian Government got possession of the country that 
 investigations were carried on, with a view to preserve for future ages 
 the treasures of art concealed in these tombs. During the last forty 
 years, a scientific body, under the auspices of that Government, have 
 conducted researches in these regions with much success. The entire 
 country was accurately surveyed, and the Tumuli were numbered and 
 marked out. Unlike the Genoese, the Russians never reclosed their 
 excavations ; the extent of their operations can, therefore, be easily seen. 
 
 Valuable specimens of Hellenic art — such as sculptured marbles ; 
 metal, alabaster, and Etruscan vases; glass vessels, remarkable for their 
 lightness ; ivory car\ings ; coins, peculiarly pleasing on account of their 
 sharpness and finish ; trinkets, executed with a skill that would bear 
 comparison with that of our best workmen, and exhibiting a degree of 
 luxury amongst the ladies which we should not expect to have found two 
 thousand years ago — have been taken from these Tumuli. All originals 
 were forwarded to the Hermitage at St. Petei-sburg ; duplicates only being 
 preserved in the museum at Kertch. And these latter might with ease 
 have been secured to England, on the investment of this place by the 
 
36 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 Allies ; but the whole of those rare treasures were, for the want of a 
 little precaution, most barbarously made away with. 
 
 Mr. Winter Jones in a communication to the " Archaeological Journal," 
 in 1849, which is the first notice we in England possess of these tombs, 
 states : — " For centuries these Tumuli have been excavated for the purpose 
 of finding ti-easure. The Genoese and Turks alike ransacked them for 
 the gold they were believed to contain ; and when the Crimea fell into 
 the possession of Kussia, 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 Eumjanzov obtained 
 from the Kussian Government the exclusive rig-ht of excavating the 
 kurgans. 
 
 " In the year 1828 the Archaeological Museum of Kertch was 
 established, and from that period the director of the Museum -has acted 
 as superintendent of the excavations. This office was performed by Herr 
 Blai-amberg, 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. Petersburg, the remainder finding a 
 place in the Museum at Kertch. In an article in Erman's ' Archiv fiir 
 wissenchaftliche Kunde von Russland,' the author observes, ' The results 
 of the excavations at Kertch, notwithstanding their great importance for 
 history and antiquities, have remained almost unknown to the learned 
 world, so little has the public interest in them been aroused, even in 
 Russia, to the present time. How few are there who know that that 
 kind of ancient vase, which is improperly termed Etruscan, is also dug 
 up in Russian ground — that Greek sculptures of the highest art are dug 
 out amongst us — that we possess splendid monuments of Cyclopsean 
 architecture, and that, far from both capitals, on the extreme edge of 
 the southern Steppes towards the Black Sea, there exists another 
 
MR. WINTER JONES ON THE TUMULI. 37 
 
 Herculaneum, another subterranean Etruria, rich in treasures, often 
 unique in their kind, and which throw light upon the darkest periods of 
 the past. 
 
 "The curious publication by the Director of the Kertch Museum 
 (Anton Ashik), to which allusion has been made, consists, for the most 
 part, of a description of the frescoes on the walls of one of the catacombs 
 or kurgans, opened by him in the year 1843. He states that, up to the 
 year 1834, not one of the searchers after antiquities suspected that in 
 Panticapseum, as in Italy, there existed catacombs cut in the rocks. 
 These Tumuli had been opened by many archaeologists, but it had 
 escaped their attention that under these mounds were concealed an 
 innumerable number of funeral caves. This discovery was made in 
 the following manner : — In the year 1834, while superintending the 
 excavations of the kurgans, and observing closely the regular ranges of 
 these Tumuli, M. Ashik observed that at the foot of each mound, 
 towards the north-east, there was a small cavity in which the earth was 
 always moist, whence the herbage there was more green than in the 
 other parts of the Tumuli. This fact is very striking. In British 
 Tumuli the deposit has frequently been found in a similar position." 
 
 M. Ashik, in 1841, opened a tomb, the walls of which were covered 
 with paintings. Of the character of these interesting specimens of art 
 he gives the following account : — 
 
 " These paintings excel every thing of the kind which had been 
 discovered up to that time in our subterranean Etruria ; not so much, 
 however, by their execution as by their subject. I showed them to many 
 learned archseologists of Italy and Germany, to whom it appeared 
 incredible that objects of antiquity so remarkable could be found in the 
 Taurida. The painting of the catacombs belongs to the Greek style — 
 there is observable in it, however, the reflex of art prevailing in Eome at 
 the commencement of the Christian era. The walls of the catacombs 
 were covered with stucco or plaster, on which the drawings were made in 
 
38 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 water-colours — white, black, red, yellow, blue, green, grey — with the same 
 colours, in short, which are observed in the frescoes discovered in several 
 parts of Tuscany, particularly near Corneto, in the year 1831. When 
 we entered the catacomb the painting was very fresh and nowhere injured. 
 I immediately commenced copying the paintings, and in three days, with 
 the assistance of M. Stephanski, draughtsman to the Kertch Museum, I 
 succeeded in making a faithful fac-simile, corresponding to the original even 
 in the minute parts. It was observed that the air penetrating into the 
 vaults, from which the rays of light had been excluded during the course of 
 many ages, destroyed not only the paintings, but even the plaster. In fact, 
 the next day after thev were discovered there appeared on the walls a 
 great deal of humidity, the colours began to grow pale, and the plaster 
 to detach itself from the wall and fall at the slightest pressure. Almost 
 all the monuments of funereal painting discovered in Italy have undergone 
 the same fate ; there, likewise, they have not been able to protect them 
 against the influence of the air and damp." 
 
 This talented archaeologist then proceeds to give a description of the 
 frescoes — " The drawings on the wall are divided into two portions or lines, 
 ornamented above the frieze with a grey flower, one foot three inches 
 wide. This frieze comprises, in itself, ten oblong squares : in the centre 
 is represented a head in profile, with the mouth half open ; at the sides 
 are peacocks, and in the remaining squares are seen two masks of fauns, 
 with long ears, two ordinary female masks, and three branches of the 
 pomegranate tree, with flowers and fruit. Along the whole length of 
 the frieze, below, there is a garland of vine branches, and clusters of 
 grapes. Immediately below the garland, in the centre of the wall, there 
 is represented a couch, on which a male figure reclines, with the left 
 elbow resting upon a cushion ; in the right hand, which is elevated, it 
 holds a bunch of grapes. This figure, which is clothed in a rose-coloured 
 girdled tunic, is enveloped, up to the middle of the body, in a 
 yellow-coloured cloth ; near the pillow is a little three-legged side-table. 
 
M. ashik's description of the frescoes. 39 
 
 on which lies some round object, resembling a pie or bread ; before the 
 couch is a stool ; further on, on the right side, is an attendant in a short 
 Grecian tunic, with sleeves, and of a pale grey colour, in half-boots, and 
 with a narrow yellow under-garment. In the right hand, which is 
 extended towards the reclining figure, there is a cup, probably containing 
 some liquid, poured out from a vessel which a servant holds in the left 
 hand. Immediately behind these last are three male figures, almost in 
 the same position, enveloped in mantles, in short under-garments of 
 different colours, and in half-boots : further on is an olive-branch. On 
 the left side of the recumbent figure is seen a group of eight women, in 
 long tunics, and different coloured mantles ; three of the women are 
 represented sitting, with stools under their feet. The first female 
 figure occupies the principal place, sitting in a large arm-chair with four 
 legs. Their costume consists of a long tunic, of a yellow colour, and a 
 white peplum. 
 
 " Under the socle the width is ten and a half inches. On the left 
 side there are six horsemen, armed with spears, rushing upon their 
 enemies. All these warriors are bareheaded, in pale grey doublets, red 
 under-garments, and half-boots. Under the caftan appears what resembles 
 a leathern cuirass, of a blue colour. The horses are without saddles, 
 with bridles only. On the right side there are five horsemen, also 
 galloping, with spears ; between these two groups, three warriors, slain, 
 are lying upon the ground ; two of them are overthrown, together with 
 their horses ; the third is likewise thrown from his horse ; his cap is 
 fallen from his head, and lies by the body. The position of this group, 
 and the costume of the warriors, is very striking. The first and third 
 of the five horsemen are clothed in long, girded, sleeveless Greek tunics, 
 of a pale grey colour, with squares ; on their heads are pointed caps, with 
 ear-pieces, and with tufts on the top ; the three remaining horsemen 
 have, like the three who are slain, sleeveless tunics of a yellow colour. 
 Over the tunics they wear armour, completely covering the breast; the 
 
40 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 under-garments are of a red colour ; they have boots ; on the heads of 
 these warriors are pointed caps, with ear-pieces, but without tufts on the 
 top. Two warriors, having long tunics and caps with tufts, are sitting 
 on their horses [sideways], in the same manner as ladies in Europe in 
 modem times." 
 
 Mr. Eussell has so graphically delineated the almost sacrilegious 
 destruction of the precious specimens of the fine arts deposited in the 
 Kertch Museum, that I cannot resist the temptation of making the 
 following quotation from his work : — " I must be permitted to express 
 the sentiments of abhorrence which every civilized being must experience 
 on surveying the scene of destruction and barbarous violence presented by 
 this unfortunate town, and to protest against any imputation on account 
 of the sacking of Kertch being attached to Englishmen, or to any British 
 subject, with the exception of the Lieutenant - General, whose- apathy or 
 neglect permitted the perpetration of disgraceful excesses. 
 
 " "When the Eussian army, of about two thousand five hundred men, 
 abandoned Kertch on the afternoon of our lauding, caravans of the 
 inhabitants, with such pi-operty as they could collect, moved out after 
 the soldiery. When the Allies entered the following morning, the 
 population made their submission, and offered bread and salt to the 
 conquerors, in accordance with the Eussian custom ; and they were 
 assured that they would be protected, and their lives and property 
 spared. Towards evening Turkish stragglers from the camp and others 
 flocked in to the town, and perpetrated the most atrocious crimes. To 
 pillage and wanton destruction they added violation and murder. The 
 Tartars hailed the arrival of the Osmanli with delio[ht, and received 
 them as liberators and as brethren, to whom they were bound by the 
 ties of religion, of language, and of hatred to the Eussians. They led 
 them from house to house, and pointed out as victims to their cupidity 
 and lust those who had made themselves obnoxious to their ismorance or 
 fanaticism. 
 
DESTRUCTION OF THE MUSEUM. 41 
 
 " On a remarkable conical hill at the back of the town are two 
 buildings, one of which is said to mark the resting-place of Mithridates; 
 the other is built after the model of the Parthenon. It has been used 
 as a museum, and was full of cinerary urns, and of antique relics collected 
 amid the ruins of the ancient Bosphor ; of statuary, and of the contents 
 of Tumuli which were opened in the neighbourhood. The doors have 
 been forced open, and the ancient Greek marbles and tablets which stood 
 against the wall have been overturned. It is impossible to convey an 
 idea of the scene within this place. 
 
 " The museum was a single room, with glass vessels along the walls 
 and niches for statuary, and rows of stands parallel to them, which once 
 held the smaller antiquities. At the end opposite the door, a large 
 ledge, about thirty feet from the ground, ran from side to side, and 
 supported a great number of cinerary urns. It was reached by a 
 winding staircase through one of the pillars at the end of the room. 
 One might well wonder how the fury of a few men could effect such 
 a prodigious amount of ruin in so short a time. The floor of the 
 museum is covered for several inches in depth with the debris of broken 
 glass, of vases, urns, statuary — the precious dust of their contents ; and 
 charred bits of wood and bone mingled with the fresh splinters of the 
 shelves, desks, and cases in which they had been preserved. Not a 
 single thing that could be broken or burnt any smaller, had been exempt 
 from reduction by hammer or fire. The cases and shelves were torn from 
 the' walls ; the glass was smashed to atoms, and the statues pounded to 
 pieces. It was not possible to do more than guess at what they had 
 once contained. 
 
 " On ascending the ledge on which the cinerary urns had been placed, 
 the ruin was nearly as complete. There was scarcely an urn or earthen 
 vessel of any kind unbroken — the work of destruction was complete. 
 One sentry placed at the door would have prevented all this discreditable 
 outrage. For all I know, the Tartars may have joined in the destruction 
 
42 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 of the Museum, or the Turks may have heen the sole authors ; but the 
 blame will no doubt be attached to the civilized states, whose officers and 
 soldiers took the most active part in the operations against the enemy." 
 
 I have only to add to this, from information communicated to me 
 by an intelligent Eussian gentleman who had occupied the position of 
 Procureur de Roi at Kertch for fifty years, that the collection thus 
 wantonly destroyed was unique, and that not only were there beautiful 
 specimens of the early and later Greek and Eoman periods to be seen 
 there, but also some rare examples of the Scythian, such as never can 
 be brought together again ; for the tombs do not now exist. Our army 
 passed within stone-throw of the Museum, the building stood prominently 
 forward in their path, and must have attracted the attention of every 
 officer and man. Will this not serve to convince us of the necessity of 
 having attached to every force proceeding on service, an officer especially 
 instructed to receive, and guard from pillage and destruction, relics of 
 antiquity, and other works of art and science which may be prized by the 
 nation ? 
 
 The " sack of Kertch" yielded rich booty to many. This city had 
 become a favourite place of resort for the Eussian nobility, and was 
 famous for the beauty and fashion of its inhabitants. It was a city of 
 palaces, and was denominated the Brighton of the Crimea. It was the 
 head-quarters of men and stores, and the great shipping port for the 
 Circassian coast. Here were merchants from all parts of Europe and 
 Asia, and their shops abounded with goods of the most costly description. 
 Eelving on the forbearance hitherto shown by the Allies in sparing 
 Odessa, they conceived that this mercantile port was also safe from attack. 
 Parties therefore flocked to it from all quarters with their household 
 goods, and the town was full to overflowing. The population now fled 
 in dismay, lea\'ing their all to the mercy of the conquerors, or rather 
 plunderers. Valuable plate and rich bijouterie fell into their hands. 
 Traders who accompanied the fleet loaded ships with furniture, which 
 
SACK OF THE TOWN. 
 
 43 
 
 they sold at Constantinople at enormous prices. Redshid Pasha, who 
 commanded the Turkish army, taking a peculiar fancy to pianofortes, 
 shipped oflF on his own account half a score of them ; and the handsome 
 doors and fittings of the better class of mansions, which had been brought 
 all the way from Moscow, were torn down and put on board ship. But 
 perhaps it was better that all this was done ; for the fires kindled in 
 order to destroy the Government buildings and large stores of com, 
 communicated with other parts, and no attempts having been made 
 to check the progress of the flames, the city was in a short time a 
 perfect ruin. 
 
 The army re-embarked for Balaklava in June ; a small squadron 
 and a few troops were left, to prevent the Russians from re-occupying 
 the town, and five months afterwards, just as the winter was setting 
 in, the Turkish Contingent took possession of the entire peninsula. 
 
44 
 
 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 COLONEL MUNROE'S EXCAVATIONS IN TIIE ANCIENT CHERSON— SCULPTURED BAS- 
 RELIEFS— ANTIQUE SCULPTURES TRANSMITTED TO THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 
 
 In a field of such interest, from its associations and historical character, 
 it will naturally be expected that every favourable opportunity would be 
 seized to prosecute investigation into its former history. The inquiries 
 of Colonel Munroe, of the 39th Regiment, have brought to light some 
 interesting remains from the former Greek city of Cherson ; where he was 
 stationed with the army. And it was my good fortune to discover 
 several relics of much interest on the site once occupied by the capital 
 of the colony, on the Cimmerian Bosphorus, where I was stationed for 
 eight months — viz., from October, 1855, till June, 1856. 
 
 The discovery made near the head-quarters camp before Sebastopol 
 is thus graphically related in one of the able letters of the Times 
 correspondent : — 
 
 " All about the plateau of the Chersonese, you find traces of old 
 buildings, scattered about in various directions, and easily recognisable 
 from the number of large cut stones lying about. One of these heaps, 
 just on the top of the Col de Balaklava, a few hundred yards from the 
 English head-quarters, must have struck every one last year, coming up 
 from Balaklava to the plateau. During the winter, however, French 
 cavalry was encamped near the spot, and the consequence was that most 
 of the stones which were lying above ground were taken away for hut 
 and kitchen building, and thus were scattered about, leaving no mark 
 on the place where they had been taken from. On October 26th, a 
 party of the 4th Foot was collecting stones in that place, and one of the 
 men found an old coin, which he brought to his officer, Lieutenant Nash ; 
 
COLONEL MUNROES EXCAVATIONS. 45 
 
 who, in his turn, told the thing to Captain Patton, of the same reoiment. 
 This latter went up with the coin to Colonel Munroe, of the 39th; who, 
 being himself an antiquary-, took up the matter, and received permission 
 from head-quarters to employ every day fifty men of his regiment in 
 excavating these ruins. The result richly repaid the labour, and a 
 circular building, about thirty feet in diameter, with the traces of two 
 lateral lines of walls — one running in a southerly, the other in an easterly 
 direction — have been laid open. The circular building is divided from 
 north to south by a wall; in the eastern part of the semicircle thus 
 formed is the door, which faces south, and a kind of well, narrow at the 
 mouth, and then expanding as it descends lower down ; opposite to it is 
 a large slab, forming a parallelogram of about eight feet by four, 
 standing upright, and surrounded by a circular wall of small stones, 
 different in construction from the rest of the building, which is composed 
 of the regularly-cut stones of Greek architecture. But the most curious 
 thing in this compartment is a slab horizontally imbedded in the 
 corner formed by the north side of the outside wall and the partition 
 wall. The edges of it are somewhat higher than the middle, and on 
 the end of the slab which faces the interior a kind of gutter is cut 
 out, as if to facilitate the running down of fluid. A similar stone is on 
 the other side of the partition-wall, only having the gutter in a right 
 angle with that of the slab in the first compartment. The second 
 compartment itself is divided from east to west by a wall, on both sides 
 of which the whole remaining space is filled with the remains of thu-teen 
 large circular earthen vases, of about four feet in diameter. They are 
 all broken to pieces, and only held by adhering to the earth in which 
 they lie. They must have been of an amphora shape, narrow at the 
 mouth, as one can see from the fragments of ed^es which have been dug 
 out. On the sides of some there are triangular rivets of lead, very 
 likely old repairs ; two of the vases are double, one inside the other. 
 Neither the parts of the buildings yet laid open, nor the different objects 
 
46 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 found in the rubbish, throw much light on the nature of the building. 
 The objects found consist of eight or ten brass coins, all of the same 
 kind, marked on both sides with what looks like a cross, with the points 
 split and inclining downwards ; a heap of remains of jars, on a piece of 
 which I thought I recognised Arabic characters : some bones of animals, 
 and the figure of a man from the legs downwards. Colonel Munroe 
 thinks it may be a Grecian temple ; that the earthen jars were there 
 to receive the blood of the victims, which flowed in from the two slabs, 
 which he supposes to be the altars where the sacrifice was performed. 
 I cannot help thinking it resembles more the circular tower of a 
 fortress with the well, which resembles exactly the wells abounding in 
 the neighbourhood of Eupatoria, and still in use. Nearly at the head of 
 every ravine leading down from the upper part of the plateau of the 
 Chersonese towards the sea or the harbour of Sebastopol you can see 
 traces of buildings, with the same kind of square stones ; and there 
 are often two corresponding ones, as is the case on the spot where the 
 excavation has taken place. On the opposite side, just below the French 
 head-quarters, there is another such heap of ruins as I remember to 
 have seen on the site of the excavation last year, which contains very 
 likely a similar building. Between the two, in the hollow formed by 
 the beginning of the ravine, which is no other than the ravine leading to 
 the Dockyard Creek, is a well, which ought to be perhaps brought into 
 connection with the two buildings. Of course, it is only by further 
 excavations that the question can be decided. The earthen jars seem the 
 greatest puzzle, unless one perhaps supposes them to have been magazines 
 for grain, which are even now not uncommon in some parts of the East." 
 
 The sculptured marbles and bas-reliefs are commonly figures in 
 basso-relievo, with an inscription, either in marble or sandstone of the 
 country. They are chiefly sepulchral, and distinguishable into three kinds. 
 
 1st. Contains a female figure in a long robe, with a child. 
 
 2nd. A man on horseback, with a child standing by him. 
 
SCULPTURED MARBLES. 4/ 
 
 3rd. A man lying on a kind of bed or couch, with a woman and a 
 child, one on each side of him. 
 
 The woman is generally represented in a standing posture, with her 
 hands under the fore part of her garment, or leaning against an altar, or 
 sitting on a stone wiping her eyes as in extreme gi-ief. The man is 
 sometimes represented on a horse in slow motion, with the bridle in his 
 hand, sometimes in warlike attire. Or he is seen leaning on his left arm 
 on a couch, and holds a garland in his right hand, which is extended. The 
 child frequently holds in its two hands something like a cinerary urn. 
 
 4th. Woman with one or more children, and attendants waiting on them. 
 
 These representations may relate to certain ceremonies practised at 
 funerals, the inscriptions thereon denoting usually the name of the 
 party w^ith the words, " Peace be to him," appended. 
 
 The attention of that great sculptor, the late Sir Eichard Westmacott, 
 was early attracted to the favourable opportunity which the occupation of 
 the Crimea by the Allied armies afforded of securing to England such 
 remains as had escaped destruction in the Museum at Kertch, and his 
 son, who commanded one of the Eegiments of Infantry in the Turkish 
 Contingent, warmly seconded his laudable desires. ]\Iajor Westmacott 
 lost no time in bringing the subject to the notice of General Vivian, then 
 in command at Kertch. But the General being unable to act on his 
 own responsibility, a reference was made to the War Minister. 
 
 Lord Panmure pi-omptly issued orders to secure everything of interest, 
 and placed tonnage at the disposal of the General to convey them to 
 EntJ-land. On this the following order was issued : — 
 
 " In consequence of a communication from the War Department, 
 directing the removal to England of any sculptured marbles or valuable 
 relics that have escaped demolition in Kertch, and are worthy of being 
 placed in the British Museum, the Lieutenant -General has appointed 
 Dr. McPherson, Major Crease, and Major Westmacott, a committee to 
 decide on the value of such relics as may be remaining." 
 
48 
 
 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 The following specimens of antique sculpture were selected and 
 ti-ansmitted to the British Museum by the committee. After which their 
 joint operations under official authority came to a close : — 
 
 1. Two Figures on Horseback, a Person of Rank and Attendant. 
 
 2. Recumbent Figure, with Religious Ceremony below. 
 
 3. Two Figures, one sitting and one recumbent, with Attendants. 
 
 4. Part of a Recumbent Figure ; Religious or Funereal Ceremony 
 
 below ; Third Compartment — Armed Guards with Shields and 
 Spears. 
 
 .5. Two Figures on Horseback. 
 
 6. Sitting Female Figure, with Attendant. 
 
SCULPTURES IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 
 
 49 
 
 7. Female Figure, with Attendant. 
 
 8. Male Figure, with Attendant. 
 
 9- Male Figure on Horseback (with Greek Inscription). 
 
 10. Fragment of Female Figure. 
 
 11. The Meeting of two Female Figures of Distinction, with Flowing 
 
 Drapery. 
 
 12. Fragments of Female Figure. 
 
 13. Figure of Person of Consequence, seated in a State Chair, with 
 
 Attendants in waiting. 
 
 14. A Female Figure, with Arm extended, apparently taking leave 
 
 OF Two Armed Men. 
 
 15. Male Figure, seated in State, evidently receiving Intelligence 
 
 FROM Armed Mounted Men, the Result probably of some 
 Engagement. 
 
 16. Fragment of Figure on Horseback, armed with Scythian Bow 
 
 AND Qun-ER — Weapons not usually represented on Grecian 
 Bas-Eeliefs. 
 
 17- Fragments — Two Female Figures and Child. 
 18. Figure on Horseback. 
 
 H 
 
50 
 
 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 19- Handsome Scroll, very perfect. 
 
 20. Man on Horseback, with Flowing Garments. 
 
 21. Male and Female Figure. 
 
 22. Marble Scroll. 
 
 23. Female Figure and Child (with Greek Inscription). 
 
 24. Scroll, very ornamental. 
 
 25. Female Figure and Two Children. 
 
 26. Male Figure taking leave of a Female accompanied by a Child. 
 
 27. Similar Subject to No. 27. 
 
 28. Fragment of the Capital of a Column. 
 
 29. Slab with Greek Inscription. 
 
 30. A Figure seated in State, with Attendant. 
 
 31. Part of a Female Figure leaning on a Column, with Attendant. 
 
 32. Scroll. 
 
 33. Handsome Scroll. 
 
 34. Marble Slab, with Two Tritons ; one with Wings, the other 
 
 carrying a Trident in his Left Hand. A small Dolphin 
 represented between the Figures. 
 
 35. Fragment of Female Figure, with Attendant. 
 
SCULPTURES IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 
 
 51 
 
 36. Part of a Figure. 
 
 37- Male Figure, with Attendant. 
 
 38. Female Figure reclining, her Head upon a Pillow, with 
 
 Attendant. 
 
 39. Fragment of Greek Moulding, f] 
 
 40. Ornament. 
 
 41. Ditto. 
 
 42. Fragment of Female Figure. 
 
 43. ]\Ian in Armour on Horseback. 
 
 44. Man on Horseback, with Figure and Dog following. 
 
 45. Female Figure in Chair of State, with Attendant. 
 
 46 and 47. Colossal Figures in White Marble of Lion and Lioness. 
 
 The Lion was the symbolical type of Phanagoria, as the Griffin was 
 emblematical of Panticapaeum. These figures had been removed by the 
 
52 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 Genoese from Phanagoria (the marble lion being the device of Genoa 
 also) to Kaffa, along with other relics of antiquity, during her days of 
 prosperity. When the Russians had erected the Museum at Kertch, 
 they desired to collect in this spot the treasures of art scattered over 
 the country. The ship conveying the lions and other sculptures struck 
 on a sand-bank on entering the Bay of Kertch and sunk. Thirteen 
 years afterwards the nets of some fishermen became entangled amongst 
 these sculptures, and the lion and lioness were then fished up. Their 
 weather-beaten countenances clearly indicate the eflfect of time and 
 exposure to the elements ; but they have reached a comfortable haven 
 at last. 
 
THE MODERN TOWN. 53 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 SITE OF THE MODERN TOWN OF KERTCH - NUMBER AND POSITION OF THE TUMULI 
 -THEm ORIGIN - OPENING OF THE FIRST TUMULUS -ITS STRUCTURE AND 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 The duration and intensity of the frost having rendered the soil as 
 hard as rock, to a depth of many feet, no excavations could he proceeded 
 with until the month of March. The modern town of Kertch (Vide 
 Embellished Title) has been built on a semicircular bay, immediately 
 beneath the position on which the ancient city of Panticapajum stood, 
 and evidently, considerably below what was then the high water mark 
 in the bay. Around the city on every side, for a distance of about 
 two miles, the earth has been again and again turned over in search 
 of antiquities; and there is scarcely a square yard that has escaped 
 examination. It is in fact a succession of pits, from ten to fifteen feet 
 deep, terminating usually in a stone tomb; on reaching which the 
 explorer appears to have considered his researches on this spot completed, 
 and passed on to another. 
 
 The enormous quantity of Tumuli round this city forms one of the 
 distinguishing features of the place. They abound chiefly within the 
 second vallum; kw or none being found where the Dorian colonists of 
 Heraclea dwelt: except near Simpheropol— the supposed residence of 
 Scilurus. 
 
 These Tumuli, therefore, are essentially of Scythian and Milesian 
 structure. It is also remarkable that on the plains around Phanagoria 
 on the Asiatic side, colonized by the same people— who, on their arrival, 
 came in contact with the Scythians— the country is covered with them. 
 
 It would be curious to inquire what is the reason of the Tumulus 
 
54 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 being peculiar to the Ionic race. Does it arise from their differing with 
 the Dorians in their religious ideas respecting their dead? Or, must 
 we seek for an explanation of the custom in the fact of the former 
 having come in contact with a pastoral and agricultural ti'ibe, whose 
 mode of life and sepidture they adopted, while the latter encountered 
 the savage and barbarous Tauri, who do not appear to have any peculiar 
 mode of burial? 
 
 The greater number of the Tumuli around the city, and many of 
 those for miles beyond it, have been effectually searched. That first 
 selected for examination was situated in a northerly direction, six miles 
 from the town, towards Yenikale. Its circumference was three hundred and 
 forty-six feet, and its height about eighty; and it presented no appearance 
 of having ever been disturbed. Two parties of six men each were 
 set to work, with directions to tunnel their way in at right angles with 
 the other party; the one proceeding to the left, the other to the right. 
 
 It was soon found that the labour was far more severe than we had 
 calculated upon. The cold was still intense, and the distance the 
 workmen had to go every morning and evening, retarded operations. The 
 soil through which we had to pass was extremely firm, and masses of 
 stone constantly retarded our advance. 
 
 We arrived at the centre of the Tumulus without finding anything 
 but a few amphorse standing upright. These had evidently been placed 
 there entire, but they were now in fragments. The space in the centre 
 was enlarged, and a descent was made to a depth of seven feet, without 
 making any discovery. 
 
 Branching ofi" a little to the left, we came to the remains of large 
 upright beams, occupying an oblong space. On removing a portion of 
 the earth within this space, which was less firm than that surrounding 
 it, and which had all the appearance of having fallen in from above, 
 human and animal bones were discovered. That the support of the 
 roof was of wood appeared evident, from the quantity of decayed 
 
<^ 
 
 fMWZ 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 ikMwm^^ 
 
 lied tv Smitli, Elder 2c CLondon.lSBZ 
 
GOLD ORNAMENTS DEPOSITED IN AN URN. 55 
 
 fibre ; underneath which were fragments of an antique urn, having dark 
 fio:ures on a cream-coloured OTound. In the midst of the ashes which 
 had been in the urn, a female bust of pure gold, an inch in length, a 
 twisted gold earring, and fragments of a pair of gold bracelets were 
 discovered. ( Vide Plate 1 . ) 
 
 I happened to have been absent on duty, inspecting the hospitals 
 and divisions of the force stationed on the Bosphorus and on the 
 shores of the sea of Marmora, when this discovery was made. The gold 
 bracelets were reserved for me. The filigree workmanship on their 
 edges is exquisite, and the ends are tipped with a representation of 
 a bunch of grapes. 
 
 The gold figure has passed into other hands ; but a faithful repre- 
 sentation of it will be found in Plate 1. The face is purely Grecian, and 
 the bust presents that of a beautiful woman with her hair thrown off the 
 forehead, and encircled on the back of the head with a veil of light 
 exquisite workmanship, so perfect that the butterfly or insect pattern is 
 distinctly visible. A beautifully worked tiara in form of a crescent, with 
 the Greek honeysuckle ornament embossed thereon, encircles the forehead, 
 and a gem adorns each ear. A small ring at the crown of the head 
 evidently points out that this very beautiful and chaste figure was worn 
 as a pendant to a necklace or chain. The figure is probably that 
 of the Tauric Diana, who had her temple in the Taurida, and who 
 was worshipped in the colonies around; the peculiarly formed tiara 
 being the distinguishing mark of the goddess. 
 
 We now proceeded to examine the circumference of the mound to 
 the north side. On this spot, in penetrating the surface, something 
 resembling masonry had been struck ; and the excavators had not proceeded 
 far, when a semicircular wall, formed of cut blocks of stone, each four 
 feet long, two broad, and two in height, was exposed. The wall had a 
 rough ashlar surface on the outside ; it extended about half way round 
 the mound, and was beautifully constructed without any mortar. Its 
 
56 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 highest part was about six feet ; it then dipped, and continued to descend 
 as far as we explored it. Here and there, parallel with the wall, human 
 bones, and crushed terra cotta urns in large numbers were removed ; 
 and as the masonry was displaced, beads, fragments of glazed porcelain 
 vessels, and red earthenware lacrymatories were discovered in small recesses 
 in the wall. 
 
 What was the purpose of this wall is difficult to determine. It 
 could not have been raised with a view to support the mound, for it 
 was placed on the upper or higher side of the slope on which the 
 Tumulus stood. It appeared to me to have been detached altogether 
 from the mound of earth, and constructed for a separate purpose entirely ; 
 but what this was I could not trace. The labour of following up the 
 wall as it dipped deeper into the earth on each side, was too great for 
 me to continue it. A copper coin, in excellent preservation, with the 
 head of Pan on the reverse, and the lion of Phanagoria on the obverse, 
 was the only medal discovered in the course of our researches here. ( Vide 
 Plate XII., Fig. 1.) 
 
5 
 
 P5 
 
 4 
 
 m 
 
TUMULI OF THE FIVE BROTHERS. 57 
 
 CHAPTEE V. 
 
 TUMULI OF "THE FIVE BROTHERS "—THEIR CONSTRUCTION AND CONTENTS. 
 
 Towards the south-west, and between the town of Kertch and Cape St. 
 Paul, is a cluster of Tumuli denominated " The Five Brothers." ( Vide 
 Plate 2.) In size they are considerably larger than that last described, 
 and the external appearance of three of them presented as uniform a 
 shape as if they had been cast out of a mould. 
 
 Into three of these, tunnels wei-e run ; the size of the passage being 
 five feet in height, and two and a half in breadth, affording ample space 
 for one man to work with the pick, another to shovel the earth into the 
 wheelbarrow, and a third to wheel the latter to the outside, while a 
 fourth examined the mould thrown out. The further we penetrated 
 the darker of course it became, and the work was then carried on by 
 candle-light. 
 
 The labour was attended at all times with considerable danger; from 
 the liability of a slip of earth taking place, and the difficulty of procuring 
 planking to support the roof. The passage branched off in the interior 
 to the right and left, or descended into deep pits. 
 
 In one of the Tumuli a stone sarcophagus was found in the centre 
 of the mound, considerably beneath the natural surface. Although there 
 was no external appearance of a previous search ha\'ing been made, there 
 now remained no doubt on the subject ; for traces of the perpendicular 
 shaft by which the tomb had been arrived at were evident, and animal 
 and human bones, with portions of a wood coffin, were heaped up in one 
 corner. 
 
 In the second Tumulus, which we also found had been similarly 
 searched, a stone tomb, eight feet by five, was found beneath the natural 
 
58 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 surface of the ground. The roof was formed of slabs resting on and 
 projecting beyond each other, supported on a niche cut out of the side 
 wall : a most simple, efficient, and durable construction. 
 
 The third was quite a mountain. After much labour — for the mound 
 was chiefly composed of large masses of stone heaped one upon the other, 
 sloping downwards as we proceeded with our shaft — we reached the roof 
 of an arched vault. Descending on the side of this, an entrance was 
 forced. There being no indication of any previous examination into this 
 tomb, our expectations of reaping an abundant reward for our toil were, 
 as a matter of course, raised to a high pitch. But our mortification and 
 disappointment were excessive, when by the dim light of the candle reflected 
 on the bright polished walls, we discerned in the roof, opposite to that 
 by which we entered, an aperture in the masonry sufficiently large to 
 admit a man. There were two chambers ; the interior one vaulted, ten 
 feet long, eight broad, and eight and a half in height. The roof exhibited 
 the finest turned arch imaginable, having the whiteness of the purest 
 marble. The stones on the sides were all square, perfect in their form, 
 of the most admirable masonry, and put together without cement. The 
 material of which the masonry consisted was the white crumbling 
 limestone, filled with fragments of shell, such as the country now affords. 
 The skill used in the construction of this tomb was evident ; and with 
 the exception of the two apertures by which the entrance was effected, 
 the work was perfectly entire. The contents had all been removed, and 
 
 the area was clear. A rude cross of this form 
 
 was traced on the 
 
 wall, apparently with the smoke of a candle or torch. 
 
 In another enormous Tumulus examined, we discovered that the earth 
 was merely heaped up on a natural peak of coral rag formed by huge boulders 
 of stone. After making several ineffectual attempts to penetrate at the 
 base, I had the earth removed from the upper portion, and found that 
 about two-thirds from the summit, advantage appeared to have been taken 
 
P:,.'VrK , IIL 
 
 C F.Keil dei.-^tiL'i 
 
 KrllBT.f LiC Cas-tieS^liiftoi' 
 
 B IE ® Sr m, WW I?)F U A =. 
 
 i^H 
 
 1-:.: 
 
 ' lK Elder 
 
BRONZE HYDRIA. 59 
 
 of a natural separation in the hill. This was cased round with masonry ; 
 but the roof, which was formed of wood, had fallen in. Portions of carved 
 ivory which appeared to have been inlaid in wood {Vide Plate 1), great 
 numbers of coarse unglazed terra cotta vases of rude workmanship crushed 
 by the superincumbent earth, and a fine Greek Hydria of bronze ( Vide 
 Plate 3), were found here ; also the distorted bones of a deformed adult, 
 whose curved and united vertebral column marked him as a hunchback. 
 
 This bronze Hydria, when discovered, stood as entire as is represented 
 in the Plate. The superincumbent earth, as I have said, had fallen 
 in, and on this being removed, the 
 Hydria broke down. Two of the 
 handles only have reached me. They 
 are both alike, as shown in the 
 accompanying woodcut. A third, 
 having, I am informed, a figure of 
 Victory on one end, and that of a Medusa on the other, has been 
 retained by a gentleman then in charge of the work. 
 
 The last Tumulus explored was close to the position where the Allied 
 forces effected a landing, seven miles removed from Kertch. It was composed 
 entirely of sand, and, compared to the others, it was comparatively an easy 
 matter to penetrate into it. Shafts were run into the centre of this mound 
 and made to branch off in every direction, and descents formed. It was 
 evident that the work was artificial, but we reached nothing which would 
 denote its sepulchral character. 
 
 Although no large amount of success attended my researches amongst 
 the Tumuli, still my labours proved deeply interesting. The successive 
 layers of earth by which these huge mounds have been formed, establish, 
 beyond a doubt, the fact that the heap was raised, as tradition assigns, 
 at successive dates. We were fortunate, moreover, in our selections, 
 inasmuch as each of those opened have presented to us distinct varieties, 
 either in the construction of the tomb or the mode of sepulture. 
 
60 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 TUMULI EXPLORED BY TIIE EUSSLVN GOVERNMENT— ENORMOUS TUMULUS DENOm- 
 NATED THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN— ITS REPUTED TREASURES. 
 
 Amongst the numerous Tumuli explored by the Eussian Government, 
 there is considerable variety in the style and construction of the 
 vaults or chambers exposed. Not far from the old road to Theodosia, 
 for a distance of two miles from Mons Mithridates, there is a continuous 
 succession of ascents, of an artificial character, in a north-westerly direction. 
 These terminate in an enormous Tumulus, placed on the crest of the 
 mountain, four hundred and twenty-three feet above the level of the sea. 
 It differs from all others in the neighbourhood, being walled from top to 
 bottom like a Cyclopean monument. It is cased on its exterior, like the 
 P}Tamids, with large blocks of stone — cubes of three or four feet placed 
 without cement or mortar. 
 
 This monument, perhaps unique of its kind, from its size and 
 structure, had been, at all times, the object of a number of mysterious 
 legends ; and ancient traditions spoke of immense treasures hidden within. 
 It was known by the name of Altyn-obo, or the Golden Mountain. 
 
 In 1832, after immense labour, an entrance was effected into a gallery 
 constructed of layers of worked stone, sixty feet in length and ten in 
 height, roofed in the Egj^tian style, and terminating in a circular tower 
 twenty-five feet high and twenty feet in diameter ; the floor of this tower 
 being ten feet below that of the gallery. Two other tombs, somewhat 
 similar in structure, were exposed here by the Kussians ; but the contents 
 of them had all been removed by the Genoese. 
 
 Although the upper portion of this wonderful mountain has been 
 examined, by far the greater portion, towards the base, remains yet to 
 
TUMULUS OF THE HILL OF CINDERS. 
 
 61 
 
 be searched; and therein, it is more than probable, will be found hidden 
 caverns. We could do no more than satisfy oiu'selves of the artificial 
 nature of its structure, on the slope of the hill, removed some two 
 hundred feet from the present opening. The wealth of a Rothschild 
 would be necessary to carry out an effectual examination of this hill ; and, 
 if there be any truth in the traditions of the country, there have been many 
 wilder speculations ; for it is asserted that it contains an immense treasure, 
 guarded by a virgin who spends her time in lamentations. It is supposed 
 that the mother of Mithridates was originally laid in a tomb on this spot ; 
 the three chambers, which have been exposed by the Russian Government, 
 being the resting-place of members of her family. 
 
 There is a spur of the Golden Mountain, veering south, called by the 
 Tartars, Kouloba or the Hill of Cinders, on which is a Tumulus; and 
 
 some Russian soldiers carrying away stones, discovered a vestibule partially 
 closed. Two savans were commissioned by the Governor of Kertch 
 to enter alone and take an inventory of the contents. An immense 
 crowd soon besieged the approaches, which were well guarded by soldiers. 
 The tomb is nearly a square, and both it and the gallery leading to it are 
 
62 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 arched in the Egyptian style. The tomb itself is dome-shaped, raised by 
 circular layers of stone each one projecting beyond that beneath it ; the 
 layers forming the cupola commence six feet from the floor, each circle 
 decreasing in its diameter until the dome is capped by a single stone 
 about forty feet from the base. The passage leading to this chamber is 
 constructed in a similar manner, the stones on either side overlapping 
 each other, and forming a gallery one hundred and twenty feet long, eight 
 broad, and thirty feet high ; the space thus gradually contracts as the side 
 walls ascend, imtil it terminates in one single stone. The exposed surfaces 
 of the stones are in " rough ashlar," and no cement has been used 
 throughout. More than two-thirds of each block of stone rests on that 
 immediately beneath ; the remainder projects, and thus decreases the space. 
 The support of the superincumbent earth on the sides adds to the strength 
 and security of the building, and the probability therefore is, that the 
 formation of the mound progressed with the construction of the masonry. 
 
 The floor had a stone pavement, and was occupied by a sarcophagus of 
 yew wood, formed of thick beams, and divided into two compartments. In 
 one compartment was the body of a man of large stature, the thigh bone 
 being seventeen and a half inches long. The scull was extremely thick. 
 On his brow was the remains of a mitra or Persian cap, having two 
 plates of gold ornamented with festoons and griffins (the emblem of 
 Panticapaium), with leaves and arabesques attached. Around the neck 
 was a necklace of massive gold, in the form of an open ring, and 
 twisted like a cord ; at each end was the flgure of a Scythian on 
 horseback, and the extremities were enamelled with blue and green. On 
 the right arm, above the elbow, was a bracelet of gold, adorned with 
 reliefs. Below the elbow were two other bracelets in electrum (a mixture 
 of gold and silver) ; a third pair of open bracelets encircled the wrists, 
 and terminated in Persian winged sphinxes, the claws of which held 
 the thick thread of gold which served to close the bracelet. 
 
 Placed at the feet were a multitude of little sharp flints piled up. 
 
A SARCOPHAGUS AND ITS CONTENTS. 63 
 
 In Scythian mourning, we have seen that it was the custom to cut the 
 face and the rest of the hody with knives or flints, which were then 
 placed in the tomb as a mark of grief. 
 
 In a narrow compartment of the sarcophagus were placed images of 
 the gods and the arms of the king. First, his iron sword, the handle of 
 which, covered with leaves of gold, was adorned with figures of hares and 
 foxes embossed on the gold. Beside the sword lay the Cossack whip, 
 adorned with a leaf of gold. Above it was the shield, of fine gold, the 
 thickness of a five franc piece ; and its shape showed that it was principally 
 a protection for the shoulder, and fitted to the arm : its weight was one 
 and a half pounds. The shield was divided into twelve compartments, 
 on which were chiselled dolphins and other fishes, and masks imitating 
 the head of Medusa, alternating with faces having pointed beards, flies, 
 and heads of sea-horses. 
 
 The bow and its wooden case were reduced to dust, and there only 
 remained the plate in electrum which ornamented the quiver. It was 
 adorned with embossed work representing a wild goat seized by a tiger, and 
 a deer attacked in front by the Griffin of Panticapajum and behind by the 
 Lion of Phanagoria. The deer was the emblem of the town of Diana — which 
 was Cherson. A sea-horse flUed the wider part of the plate, and a mask 
 the other extremity. Above the tail of the tiger was the Greek word 
 nOPNAXO engraven on the metal; probably the name of the artist. 
 
 Among these arms was found one boot in bronze; the fellow to it 
 was on the right of the king, opposite the head. In the same compartment 
 were five statuettes in electrum ; one group represented two Scythians 
 embracing, the one tightly holds a horn, the other a purse in his right 
 hand ; and there was likewise the Scythian Hercules among these divinities. 
 
 Around the sarcophagus, on the pavement, were the objects which 
 completed the furniture of the tomb ; among which nothing had been 
 forgotten that could contribute to the material wants of life. At the 
 feet were placed three large cauldrons of bronze. These evidently had 
 
64 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 been often on the fire, and used for cooking, as there was a thick coat 
 of soot still on them, and the interior was filled with mutton bones : there 
 was another oblong vase near the door filled in the same manner. 
 
 After the kitchen of the king came his service of wine and drinking 
 cups, deposited in four clay amphorae upright against the wall. On the 
 handle of one was inscribed 6A2I, and below APETQN, and in the midst 
 was a fish. These had been filled with the wine of Thasos ; which, to 
 judge from the quantity of amphorae found in the tombs bearing this 
 name, was the favourite kind of wine. 
 
 Two large crateres were placed near the amphorae, for water : for 
 the Scythians always drank wine mixed with water ; one was of silver, 
 nearly eighteen inches in diameter, and contained four drinking cups of 
 the same metal. The second crater, of bronze, contained also four silver 
 drinking cups. Some of these were ornamented with chasing, representing 
 the animals, birds, and fish of the Black Sea and the Cimmerian Bosphorus. 
 
 Beyond the drinking cups was the armoury of the king, consisting 
 of two lances and several bundles of arrows ; these last had triangular 
 points, in bronze, with three barbs, and are similar to those found in 
 Scythian monuments in Southern Russia. 
 
SKELETON A\D ORNAMENTS OF A QUEEN. ' 65 
 
 CHAPTE-R VII. 
 
 SKELETON OF A QUEEN — DESCRIPTION OF HER ORNAMENTS — VASE OF ELECTRUM 
 — GOLDEN FRAGMENTS OF THE KING'S VESTMENTS — SKELETONS OF HIS 
 SERVjVNT AND HORSE— SUBTERRANEAN TOMB— STONE QUARRY— REPTILES AND 
 VENOMOUS INSECTS. 
 
 Between the arrows and the sarcophagus there appeared a second 
 skeleton, laid on the pavement and covered with earth; hut adorned so 
 richly that it was impossible not to recognise it as the wife of the king, 
 who thus accompanied him to his last resting place. 
 
 She was laid in the same direction as the king, and wore on her 
 forehead a mitre terminating in a plate of electrum. This plate was 
 highly ornamented with a group of four women in Greek costume sitting 
 in the midst of garlands of lotus flowers, the stalks of which form seats 
 with backs. The bottom of the mitre was encircled with a diadem of 
 gold, adorned all round with enamelled rosettes. 
 
 The queen wore on her neck, like the king, a gold necklace with 
 the ends moveable; the extremities being formed of couchant lions. She 
 had on besides another necklace of gold filigree, to which were suspended 
 small chains supporting little bottles of fine gold. Five medallions of 
 exquisite workmanship and different sizes rested on her bosom, and were 
 fastened together by small chains and bottles, enamelled green and blue. 
 
 At the feet of the skeleton was a magnificent vase of electrum, which 
 probably contained perfumes. It was exquisitely chased with four 
 successive groups representing episodes in the same history. In the first 
 the king is seated listening attentively to the report of a warrior, who, 
 armed with lance and buckler, kneels to the kinff. The next fio-ure, 
 with his back to the messenger, kneels on one knee and is occupied in 
 
66 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 bending a bow. They are preparing for war. In the third group 
 the war is supposed to have taken place, and the king has been badly 
 wounded. He is recognised in a half sitting, half kneeling figure, from 
 whom the Scythian magus is extracting a tooth : and on examining the 
 scull in the sarcophagus, the lower jaw presented a fracture which had 
 carried away several teeth. A fourth episode represents the king wounded 
 in the leg, and a warrior fomenting it. 
 
 On attentively examining the interior of the tomb, an infinity of 
 embossed gold plates or scales were found at the foot of the walls. The 
 rich vestments of the king, to which these scales had been attached as 
 defensive armour, had been hung up on pegs of wood; but the pegs and 
 the clothes had fallen, and were become a mass of dust. 
 
 By the side of the body of the queen were found two golden bracelets, 
 with bas-reUefs in two ranges — that is to say, six figures on each 
 bracelet. Around the head were disposed six knives with handles of 
 ivory, a seventh knife with a gold handle, and a bronze mirror with a 
 handle of gold. 
 
 The king's servant was stretched across the tomb, and close to him 
 were the bones of a horse. Among the things taken out of the tomb were 
 several highly wrought pieces of wood which belonged to musical instruments 
 — the only thing wanting to complete the establishment. 
 
 The two savans, having been occupied the whole day, departed in the 
 evening, leaving two sentries to guard the entrance, with orders to let no 
 one pass ; but the crowd was so great that the sentinels could not keep them 
 
 back. 
 
 On raising the pavement, a second tomb was discovered below, much 
 richer than the first. From this, masses of gold— to the extent, it was said, 
 of 120 lbs. weight of gold jewellery— were extracted; of which Government 
 obtained 15 lbs., and the rest was dispersed. 
 
 This tomb was probably that of Leucon — the friend of the Athenians. 
 It was certainly anterior in date to Mithridates. The letter p ( P ) is 
 
STONE QUARKIES REPTILES AND INSECTS. Qj 
 
 often repeated on the reliefs, and is written with one side shorter than the 
 other— a form which quite disappears before the time of that great monarch. 
 There is besides no sign of the influence of Rome in any part of the tomb. 
 Its construction is very ancient, and a portion of the ceiling was propped 
 up by posts: which is not the case in the more recent tombs. 
 
 The ground surrounding these Tumuli is usually a level flat; there 
 being seldom any hollow or depression indicating that the earth which enters 
 into the formation of the heap had been taken from its immediate vicinity. 
 
 The stone which forms the tombs must have been brought from a 
 series of extensive underground quarries which are seen around Kertch. Not 
 far from that just described is a stratum of limestone, hewn in a semicircular 
 manner, so as to present an area whose sides were thirty feet in perpendicular 
 height. On closely inspecting the face of this stratum, and removing the 
 moss and mould which had formed on the rock, the mode adopted in 
 remo\'ing the stone attracted attention. A hole of about an inch in cir- 
 cumference was at first bored into the rock ; the soft nature of the stone 
 appearing to admit of this being easily done. Into this hole a narrow saw 
 was introduced, and a flag of the exact dimensions required at once sawn out. 
 In the middle of the area above alluded to is a deep narrow well 
 hewTi out of the solid rock. The depth to the water was at least fifty feet, 
 without including the further depth of the well. When examining this well, 
 a Tartar shepherd assured us that the shaft to the water was a cylinder 
 of marble buried in the soil. The Tartars use these subterranean quarries 
 as pens for their sheep and goats. 
 
 Large flocks of martens and swallows have taken possession of the 
 upper parts of these tombs. The former build their nests in little chambers 
 constructed in the earth without, and the latter usually within the tombs. 
 These explored vaults seemed to be alive with a species of toad which 
 crawls up the perpendicular sides of the tombs. They are very apt to spring 
 upon one's face, or creep up the trousers, and glue their clammy toes to 
 one's skin. The reptile is smaller and more active than the common toad ; 
 
68 
 
 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 and its smooth skin is covered with beautiful round spots, which lessen the 
 horror of beholding, in such abundance, an animal against whom all 
 mankind seem to entertain a natural antipathy, and which Milton makes 
 the abode of the infernal spirits :■ — 
 
 " Him there they found 
 Squat like a toad." 
 
 But there are insects which infest these 
 
 tombs of a more venomous nature than 
 
 the toad. The worst of these is the 
 
 tarantula (Fig. 1) — a description of spider 
 
 which attains to a large size. It runs 
 
 along with great rapidity, and, from its 
 
 peculiar colour, appears and disappears in 
 
 a wonderful manner. Its legs are covered with hair, and its mouth is in 
 
 the shape of large pincers, resembling a lobster's claws. The bite of 
 
 this venomous insect of the Crimea is always attended with danger; and 
 
 Fig. I. 
 
 Fig. 3. 
 
 Fig. 2. 
 
 it is asserted that that of the yellow insect has been known to prove fatal. 
 The scorpion (Fig. 2) and the centipede (Fig. 3), both terrible on account 
 of their bites, are also sometimes seen. 
 
THE MUSEUM — CITY OF PANTICAPJEUM. 69 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE JIUSEUU OF KERTCH— AETIEICIAi CHAKACTER OF THE Hn.L— REMAINS OF THE 
 ANCIENT CITY OF PANTICAP^UM — ROCK CHAMBER— A LIVING OCCUPANT OF 
 A TOMB. 
 
 Having laboured at the Tumuli assiduously for a period of two months, the 
 workmen were withdrawn, and explorations commenced on that undulating 
 ridge which extends from the Masoleum, or Mons Mithridates, to the Altyn 
 Oho, or the Tumuli d'Or. 
 
 These constitute the two most elevated points in this neighbourhood. 
 About a fourth part of the upper face of the former has been removed, and 
 the Museum is erected there. It is an exact copy of the Temple of 
 Theseus, at Athens : it had a flight of magnificent steps leading up to 
 it ; but now, these are all destroyed. The spot where this building stands 
 is of artificial construction, as is plainly seen on the scarp of the removed 
 portion of the mound. I ran tunnels into this hill in three different places 
 behind the building, and on a level with it ; and in each, after proceeding 
 from five to fifteen feet, the natural clay hill, having successive strata of 
 mica intermixed, was reached. The appearance of the upper surface of the 
 olay was very peculiar. It was precipitous, smoothed and polished, as if 
 the refuse and debris which had entered into the artificial structure of 
 the hni to such an enormous thickness, had been cast from the summit. 
 
 The city of Panticapaeum stood towards the north and west of this 
 moimtain, and most probably the rubbish of the city was thrown from this 
 height into the sea, until the heap reached the summit. The substances 
 which enter into the superficial structure of this hill are exactly such 
 as we shoidd expect to find in such a heap. 
 
70 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 There is little or no appearance of the ancient city on the surface of 
 the soil ; which, to a depth of from five to thirty feet in a circumference 
 of about four miles, is composed of a mass of broken pottery and debris 
 of every description — an accumulation of successive ages, without any 
 convulsion of nature. 
 
 Our first explorations in the site of the old city brought us in contact 
 with buried houses, having walls of prodigious strength. Were these walls 
 on the surface, it would require Herculean labour to displace the masonry ; 
 but when they had to be arrived at by means of a descent into the earth 
 of barely sufficient space to admit one man to work with a pick-axe in a 
 doubled-up and cramped position, with another immediately behind him 
 remo\ing the earth with his shovel, it will be allowed that it was no 
 easy matter to displace a stone out of position. We followed on the 
 sides of the walls, and, when able to do so, removed a stone ; but the 
 labour was far beyond any strength I could bring to bear on it. Many 
 interesting remains were discovered : such as handles of amphorae, with 
 inscriptions and designs thereon, fragments of beautiful patterns of terra 
 cotta, bright polished plaster, and bronze coins. 
 
 The workmen were then placed on the sides of rocks protruding out of 
 the soil. These had been at one time coral rag peaks, now in a great 
 measure concealed and buried by the vast accumulations of earth heaped 
 upon them. On one occasion an extensive rock chamber was exposed — the 
 abode most probably of the Tauric aborigines of the country. It was 
 warm and dry. A rude seat or couch was hewn out of the side, and there 
 were small recesses in the rock. The entrance was partly artificial, and 
 partly natural ; small, and capable of being closed by matting or otherwise. 
 There was a quantity of earth and rubbish within ; which was not removed, 
 as there appeared no object to be gained in doing so. The rubbish 
 gave cover to human remains, but no relic was discovered along with 
 these. 
 
 On entering another rocky chamber, the narrow entrance to which had 
 
LniXG OCCUPANT OF A TOMB. /I 
 
 been exposed with a good deal of labour, we were greeted with a fierce 
 growl which caused us to retreat speedily; and it was some time before 
 we mustered resolution to enter. The superstitious workmen believed that 
 the evil one himself held possession of the tenebrious cell ; and, pointing 
 to the human bones which we had removed, they shook their heads, and 
 said that they considered their work was ominous of evil. Gaining 
 courage, we began by pitching stones into the cavern, which appeared to 
 extend many yards under the rock. The growls became fiercer and fiercer. 
 We were just about to light a fire, in order to force the animal to resion 
 his abode and permit us to inspect it, when there was a noise like a scufile 
 and a rush, which made us all a second time take to our heels. The 
 cause of our alarm was now ascertained, by a large wolf-dog makino- its 
 appearance from the other side of the hill, barking furiously at us. After 
 it had been assailed on all hands with stones, we entered. The cavern 
 was nearly a natural one, formed by an open space between two rocks; 
 and there was an extensive fissure running back, at the end of which we 
 could trace a ray of daylight. Through this fissure the dog had passed in. 
 In a recess, on one side, we found four beautiful puppies ; one of which 
 was placed amongst the other relics from the tombs, but it came to an 
 untimely end : my Greek servant, dissatisfied with the amount of bucksheesh 
 handed to him on parting, revenged himself on me by dropping little 
 " Pluto " into the sea, with a stone tied round his neck. There is not, 
 I believe, a more vindictive race than the modern Greek : a real or 
 imaginary ofience rankles in his breast until an opportunity occurs to 
 retaliate. I doubt not, had this fellow been entrusted with a child, 
 he would have as calmly consigned it to the deep as he did the 
 puppy. 
 
 On removing the earth off the sides of a rock, the apex only of which 
 was perceptible, we struck upon a recess chiselled out of the rock, measuring 
 ten feet by five. Following this we arrived at what appeared to have been 
 a couch, formed by two stones placed together, with an elevation for the 
 
72 
 
 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 head to rest upon. On each side of and behind this seat small recesses 
 were visible on the face of the rock, evidently chiselled out ; possibly 
 for the purpose of placing lights or burning incense. Some twelve feet 
 deeper we came to human remains ; and for five days the workmen turned 
 out of this pit nothing but human bones. How far deeper these would 
 have been found it is impossible to say, for we ceased our explorations 
 here ; feeling satisfied, from the appearance of the bones, that they must all 
 have been buried there about the same period : the result probably of 
 some great engagement, for many of the skulls and long bones exhibited 
 fractures and injuries. The marks on the rock indicated that an 
 assemblage or feast was held on the spot; probably in commemoration of 
 the event. 
 
 Not far from this spot we discovered portions of a subterranean 
 conduit for conveying water towards the Acropolis. It was formed 
 of two concave tiles, one resting on the other. One of these, having 
 Greek letters stamped thereon, as represented in the adjoining woodcut, 
 we secured. 
 
 A series of stone tombs were discovered at a depth varying from eight 
 to twelve feet below the surface of the ground. ( Vide Frontispiece.) 
 The roof and sides were composed of two or three slabs of sandstone 
 about four inches thick ; the slab entering into the formation of the floor 
 being considerably thicker. Amphorse of baked clay, usually found crushed 
 
AMPHORA IN THE STONE TOMBS. 
 
 73 
 
 by the superincumbent earth, and marked with one of the following mystic 
 symbols. 
 
 First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, 
 
 + -I- ^ G 
 
 D O 
 
 were sometimes found at the head of the tomb ; and on the top was 
 occasionally a sepulchral lamp. 
 
 Each of these stone tombs contained the bones of one person only, 
 and there was seldom anv ornament within ; but it was not unusual to find 
 the remains in one spot, and the relic in another. On one occasion we 
 arrived at a spot where five stone tombs were placed in close contact, around 
 or within which there was no ornament or relic ; but in a spot contiguous, 
 a large ornamented unglazed vase of baked clay, and five cups of glass — 
 one within the other — were discovered, by some men employed under Major 
 Campbell, of Her Majesty's 71st Regiment, in making a collection for the 
 United Ser\dce Museum, in a neatly formed recess in the earth prepared 
 for them. Doubtless these amphorse contained wine, when originally placed 
 there ; for the lees or scoriae of the wine still encrusted the inside, and had 
 accumulated in considerable quantities at the 
 bottom, as the fluid portion dried up. The 
 fixed acid in the deposit was proved to be still 
 present, on the application of litmus paper, by 
 a gentleman at the late meeting of the British 
 Association held at Cheltenham — an extraordinary 
 fact, after so great a lapse of time. 
 
 The accompanpng woodcut represents an 
 imglazed vase with four handles, discovered in 
 one of these stone tombs. The inscription of the 
 maker's name being written in black letters. 
 
 The heaps of fragments of amphorse, and of glazed and painted vases, 
 which the workmen were continually throwing out, displayed an endless 
 
74 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 variety in style and beauty in construction. We repeatedly came upon 
 large masses of masonry, foundations of buildings ; and, on one occasion, 
 upon huge blocks of stone, resembling the foundation of a circular tower; 
 but the means at our disposal did not admit of the removal of these stones : 
 in fact, the very appearance of them caused us to abandon the spot. 
 
 Mr. Stoddart, in an able paper published in the Transactions of the 
 Royal Society of Literature, states, " that the vessels to which those 
 handles had belonged were not made at Athens, as had been supposed, 
 but were rather imported in the course of trade from Cnidus, Ehodes, 
 Thasos, and other places ; and that the stamps they bear contain the 
 names, not of potters, but of EPONYMI, or of other magistrates." 
 And, alluding to the appearance of lettered manubria in the Russian 
 provinces along the Black Sea, he remarks : — " For the last half century 
 it has been known that the sites of many Greek cities along the coasts 
 of the Crimea and of the neighbouring districts are covered with broken 
 pottery, and that they even yield occasionally entire vases. These are 
 often the pointed diotcB of commerce, stamped in some cases with epigraphs 
 found at Panticapaeum, Phanagoria, Tyria, situated on the Bay of the 
 Dneister, Olbia, and as far as Taganrog : many of these manubria are 
 stamped with a lotus-like flower, the same which appears continually on 
 Rhodian money." He further points out that the vases so marked must 
 have contained wine and other fluids imported fi*om Rhodes, and that oil 
 was exported from Constantinople, until recent times, in amphorae made in 
 Greece ; and that these vessels bear the names of potters and of astynomi. 
 
 The symbols and inscriptions stamped on the handles discovered 
 during our researches are represented in Plates 10 and 11. Many of 
 these vessels may have been of local manufacture ; the Greek character 
 alone appears in all the inscriptions. The series may conduct to ampler 
 results, by establishing identity in formulae, in dialect, in emblems, and 
 especially in the names of men and of months. When there are two 
 names on a single specimen, one denotes that of the chief magistrate. 
 
AMPHORA HANDLES. 
 
 75 
 
 the second that of the potter, or the month in which the vase was 
 formed. 
 
 • The practice followed at Rhodes and Cnidus of legalizing their diotce, 
 precisely as they legalized their coinage, with what may be considered 
 their state seal — since it bore the name of the supreme hierarchal 
 magistrate — seems also to have been followed at Panticapseum. 
 
 Mr. Stoddart concludes his paper thus: — "The Tumuli of 
 Panticapseum, said to be full of diotce, some of which we know to be 
 inscribed, are likely to reward examination. And when we read that ten 
 thousand vases of the sort were sent on a single occasion to Sinope, a 
 second-rate city, it becomes easy to imagine the profusion of stamped handles 
 which the earth still conceals. Buried they must be, and out of sight, 
 not destroyed ; for such fragments of pottery are almost imperishable. 
 
 " Such handles of emporetic amphorse, as well as occasional tiles, upon 
 which are stamped the seals of Greek magistrates, with their names, 
 and sometimes their offices and their cities expressed, have been already 
 discovered — in Egypt, at Alexandria ; in Greece, at Athens and at Corcyra 
 (Corfu); in Sicily, at many points; in Asia Minor, at Xanthus; in 
 European Sarmatia, at Olbia ; in the Taurica Chersonesus, at Panti- 
 capseum, at Cherson (Sebastopol), and at a place now called Kermentjik, 
 
 near Simpheropol." The accompanying wood engraving exhibits an 
 inscription not unfrequently turned up. The word being written as here 
 shown or in a contracted form. 
 
76 
 
 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 SUBTERRANEAN TEJIPLE OR CHASCBER— ITS DECORATIONS— BURIAL OF HORSES IN 
 TOMBS— TUNNELLING IN SEARCH OF OTHER TOMBS— ARMENIAN LABOURERS. 
 
 Beneath an extensive sloping artificial Tumulus, running at right angles 
 with the ridge extending northwards from Mons Mithridates, we came upon 
 a mass of ruhble masonry ; on removing this, a passage was exposed leading 
 to an arched vestibule, from whence we passed on to a chamber or temple 
 also arched. The vestibule was four feet by six; the temple represented 
 a square of fourteen feet. Both were empty, and had been already explored. 
 Over the inner entrance, possibly with a view to guard it, were painted 
 two lion-headed figures. ( Vide Fig. 1.) The walls of the temple were 
 
 Fig. 1. 
 
 Fiff. 2. 
 
 marked oflF in squares. About the centre of the wall, and surrounding the 
 building, there was what now appeared to be scroll work much defaced, 
 in which birds, grotesque figures, and flowers, could still be traced. Two 
 figures on horseback — a person in authority, and his attendant — were 
 sketched, in black, on the wall opposite the entrance. {Vide Fig. 2.) 
 
CUSTOM OF BURYING HORSES IN TOMBS. 'J'J 
 
 Slung on the shoulders of the latter could be traced a bow and quiver 
 of arrows (the Scytho-Grecian bow and arrows are a common emblem on 
 the coins of Phanagoria), and he held in his hand a long javelin, also 
 a formidable weapon in those days. The gold coin of the period, found 
 in this locality, and now in the British Museum ( Vide Title-page), 
 represents the griffin holding the javelin in his mouth. 
 
 On the bas-reliefs of the Bosphorus, the representation of an equestrian 
 figure, attended by a youth, is very frequent. In the right and the left side 
 of the wall of the inner chamber there were recesses, resembling doors which 
 had been closed up. The workmen were directed to remove this masonry; 
 but it was so exceedingly strong, that we found it an easier matter to 
 break the stones than to remove them from their places. Stretched across 
 the entrance of the recess on the right hand side, about mid-way, was a 
 human skeleton entire ; a coarse lachrymatory, and something like an 
 incense jar, but broken, was found under the neck. In the recess on 
 the left side the skeleton of a horse was discovered in a similar position. 
 The frequency of our finding the entire skeletons and perfect bones of 
 animals, more especially those of the horse, which could always be 
 ascertained by the teeth, appeared to us very remarkable. 
 
 I am much indebted to Mr. Kemble, whose profound knowledge in 
 archaeological subjects is well kno^vn, for the following remarks on the 
 same interesting and curious subject: — 
 
 " Burial of the horse is first mentioned by Tacitus as a part of the 
 funeral rite of the Germanic races ; but it was common to the ancient 
 Scythians, as we learn from Herodotus ; to the Tschudi of the Altai 
 (Ledebour Keise. i. 231); the Tartars of the Crim (Lindner, p. 92); to 
 the Keltic tribes in Gaul and Britain ; to the Franks, as evidenced in 
 Childiric's grave ; the Saxons, as proved by constant excayation ; and the 
 Northmen, as we read in all the Norse Sagas, and find in innumerable 
 Norse graves. It was common also to the Slavonic nations ; to the Russ, 
 in the tenth century (see Frahn's Edition of Ibn Fozlan's Travels, pp. 
 
78 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 104, 105) ; to the Lithuanians, Letts, Wends, and the Ugrian population 
 of the Fins. In short, the horse was a sacrificial animal, and as such 
 slaughtered and eaten at the tomb — the head in this case being deposited 
 with the dead. I shall be happy at any time to show you very many 
 passages relative to this subject ; but I suppose what you most want at 
 present is the very remarkable instance I mentioned at Edinburgh of a 
 similar occurrence in the eighteenth century. It runs thus in my authority 
 (The Eheinischer Antiquarius, 1 Abth. 1 Band. p. 206) : — 
 
 "'On 11th February, 1781, died Frederick Casimir, Commander of 
 Lorraine, in the Order of Teutonic Knights, and General de la Cavalerie, 
 in the service of the Palatinate. He was buried at Treves according to the 
 ritual of his order. An officer of his stables, clad in deep mourning, led, 
 immediately after the coffin, his master's charger, covered with housings of 
 black cloth. At the moment when the coffin was being descended into the 
 grave, a skilful blow of the hunting knife laid the noble horse dead upon 
 its margin. The gravediggers immediately seized and lowered it into the 
 vault upon the coffin of its lord, and the earth was shovelled into their 
 common grave.' 
 
 " The ox, cow, swine, stag, boar, dog, hare, and certain birds, as the 
 falcon, were also sacrificed with the dead in Pagan times ; and we find their 
 remains not only in the urns with the burnt bones of men, but even in later 
 times accompanying the skeletons. The origin of the custom can in every 
 case be traced up to traditions of heathendom." 
 
 My experience corroborates Mr. Kemble's statement in every respect. 
 For besides bones of the smaller animals, those of birds and fish were also 
 repeatedly found. 
 
 The entrance to this subterranean chamber, or temple, being now 
 efiected, what w^s next to be done became the question. I conceived that 
 we were in a good position to prosecute investigations on either side. 
 There was full twenty feet of subsoil over our heads ; and, although the 
 ground on the surface happened to have been thoroughly searched by 
 
TUNNELLING IN SEARCH OF OTHER TOMBS. 79 
 
 the Russians, still their excavated descents from above did not reach the 
 level on which we now stood. I resolved, therefore, to carry a tunnel 
 beneath these old pits, sloping it gradually downwards as we proceeded. 
 To enable the workmen to remove the earth displaced, an inclined plane, of 
 sufficient width to allow a wheelbarrow to pass up, was carried from the 
 vestibule door upwards ; two men being attached to each wheelbarrow, in 
 order to facilitate this part of the labour, which was very severe. 
 
 To the right the tunnel was extended seven yards. Within this space 
 two ordinary stone tombs, similar to those already described, and a third 
 on a larger scale and of a better style of construction, were discovered; 
 but neither of them contained any relic of interest worth specifyino-. On 
 the left, descending as the tunnel was formed, we came upon a layer or 
 stratum of schistus slate. The soil through which we passed was highly 
 interesting. The sides and roof of the tunnel were composed of artificial 
 soil, with here and there beds of charcoal, animal remains, and, as usual, 
 heaps of broken pottery. About thirty feet from the entrance of the 
 tunnel, the rock came to an abrupt termination towards the fi'ont and 
 left hand side; the mark of the chisel by which the stone was removed, 
 being quite distinct on its edges. The soil above, and to the left, which 
 had been hitherto of a dark colom*, firm, and compact, now became soft, 
 and of a clayey hue ; while towards the right it continued dark as before. 
 
 Tunnelling on, the stratum of rock was again reached, twelve feet from 
 the spot where it had disappeared. Loose sand formed the roof of this 
 intervening space; and the exploring steel rod, six feet in length, was 
 passed, without any eflFort, its entire length into similar sand, occupying 
 the left hand side, and that under our feet : the ridge of slate rock extended 
 from side to side on the riffht. 
 
 There remained no doubt in our minds that we had at length hit upon 
 an unexplored descent into the earth, on a very large scale. The tunnel 
 was carried a few feet beyond the further edge, with the view to form a 
 platform, on which planks to support the roof might be placed. The 
 
80 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 earth removed from this portion of the tunnel became again dark and 
 compact. At first there was no difficulty in removing the sand by which 
 the shaft had been filled up ; but, as we descended, our difficulties increased 
 of course. The soil had not only to be raised up by means of a rope 
 and basket, but that to the left, being composed of the same loose material, 
 was continually falling in, as it lost the support it received from that 
 in the portion of the shaft wherein our descent was being made ; and 
 in proportion as this side sand tumbled in, did the unsupported roof 
 become exposed. The difficulty therefore was, how to support this side 
 and also the roof. Wood, even for fuel throughout the winter, had been 
 at times very scarce ; boards of packing cases did pretty well, so long 
 as the space was limited ; but now these were of no use : they were 
 continually tumbling down on our heads, bringing along with them a 
 quantity of the loose substance. Fortunately, the house I occupied in 
 the town had good beams and doors ; these were called into requisition. 
 But as we descended, a greater length of beam to support the roof and 
 sides became necessary ; and as the depth of the pit increased, the danger 
 to those in it became greater, for the props supporting the upright beams 
 loosened as the sand was removed. 
 
 When we had reached a depth of twelve feet in the pit, the height of 
 tunnel being nearly six more, the scaffolding gave way, and with it a large 
 quantity of sand. There were three of us in the pit at the time ; our 
 candles were extinguished, and we were left in total darkness and 
 without the means of ascending. It was some time before lights were 
 procured by the workmen above, we were then extricated from our 
 perilous position ; most providentially without serious injury to any of us. 
 The workmen, after this, positively refused even to re-enter the tunnel. 
 Indeed, before the accident took place, I had made up my mind to abandon 
 the work ; for, although most desirous to proceed with it, I saw that the 
 safety of the workmen was emperillcd, not only by the loose state of the 
 left side and roof, and also by a decided mephitic gas, which latterly 
 
SUBTERRANEAN TEMPLE OR SEPULCHRAL CHAMBER. 
 
 81 
 
 became overpowering to the senses, and dimmed the light of our candles. 
 Moreover, the labour of raising the earth in baskets, and conveying it in 
 wheelbarrows to the outside, through the stone tomb to the surface above, 
 was becoming too much for us. 
 
 The following woodcut represents the appearance of this remarkable 
 sepulchre so far as it was traced:— 
 
 f:lsM__,_.i_ 
 
 The thickness of the stratum of slate rock did not exceed a couple of 
 feet; beyond this was dark firm clay. The outline of the blade of the 
 instrument by which the clay had been (originally) removed, still remained 
 
 M 
 
82 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 as perfect on the exposed surface as when first formed. The shape of 
 the descent, so far as this could be ascertained, was about to pass from 
 three sides of a square to a more circular form ; but to the last, the steel 
 rod penetrated its full length into the loose sand at the bottom, without 
 any effort. Our very workmen withdrew from this spot most reluctantly, 
 feeling satisfied that we had hit on the right road to something ; and 
 we all grieved that, after so much labour, we were still unable to seize 
 upon that which at one time appeared within our reach. 
 
 The labourers were chiefly Armenian followers of the army — a race 
 who are gi'ound down and oppressed to a sad extent by their Mahomedan 
 rulers. The poor creatures were very grateful for the kindness and care it 
 happened to be in my power to show them ; and, although their lives were 
 repeatedly endangered during our researches, they persevered in their 
 labours, as they observed I took so deep an interest in their work. 
 Some of them, indeed, had begun to fancy that they too were deep in 
 archseological lore ; nails, bits of copper, pottery, bones — in fact, everything 
 that attracted their attention — was carefully put aside for my inspection. 
 It was most amusing to hear their sage remarks and observations on each 
 substance ; and so marked was their disappointment if I rejected any 
 article, that, in order to encourage them, I found it necessary to remove 
 to my quarters all they had collected : to the great horror of my Russian 
 cook and housekeeper — an old dame of some fourscore and ten, who had 
 taken compassion on me when deserted by my other servants during the 
 winter. 
 
FURTHER EXPLORATIONS. 83 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 FUETHER EXPLOEATIONS— EXCITEMENT OF A SOLDIER— COLOSSAL MARBLE STATUES 
 —RECENT RESEARCHES OF THE RUSSIANS— OPENING OF A SEPULCHRAL CHAMBER 
 —INTERESTING DISCOVERY- OPENING OF OTHER CATACOMBS— THEIR CONTENTS. 
 
 We now sought out other ground, and selected a smooth level space which 
 never, apparently, had heen turned over, distant about one hundred vards 
 from that we had last worked on. In this, perpendicular descents were 
 formed. Ten feet from the surface, we reached the same lamina of rock 
 which had been struck upon in the last work described. Here we found 
 a tomb neatly hewn out in the rock, covered by a flag, the skeleton resting 
 on the clay beneath, with a glass cup placed at the head. 
 
 Our attention was attracted to another artificial opening in the 
 rock, somewhat similar to, but on a much smaller scale than the large 
 descent which we had just abandoned. On clearing the surface, we found 
 that the rock here was hewn out three feet in width and fourteen in 
 length ; the intervening space being filled with sand, similar in all respects 
 to the other, into which the exploring rod penetrated with ease. Fifteen 
 feet of this sand being removed, we came upon the skeleton of a horse; 
 a few feet further down the end of an upright stone, the breadth of the 
 shaft, was exposed. 
 
 Fatigued with working in the shaft, I had seated myself above, 
 cautioning the workmen to let me know as soon as they arrived at anything 
 remarkable. A soldier of Her Majesty's 7 1st Eegiment (Highlanders) 
 who happened to be on the spot and was eagerly inspecting the work, 
 suddenly rushed up to where I sat, and respectfully saluting me, said, 
 with an effort at calmness, for he was very much agitated, " As sure as 
 death, sir, they have come to a cellar." Doubtless visions of old port. 
 
84 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 01- rather rum, were at this time passing through his mind. However, 
 I was not long in reaching the bottom of the shaft, in order to be 
 the first into this " cellar." 
 
 One of the men had passed the soldier's walking-cane into a narrow 
 chink, on the side of the flag-stone, and this gave rise to his agitation. 
 The sand had still, however, to be removed, in order, to displace the 
 flag-stone. When this was done, the entrance into a vault, by an arched 
 passage twenty-four inches wide and thirty-two in height, fronting the 
 east, was exposed ; over and above the doorway a lintel-stone was fixed in 
 the clay, on which the flag-stone that closed the passage rested. The 
 aperture was only sufiiciently large to admit of one creeping in at a time, 
 the passage being about three feet in thickness. 
 
 The tomb was of a semicircular form, arched, and measured ten feet 
 by twelve in area, and eight feet high in the centre. It had been cut out 
 of the natural calcareous clay ; the form and shape of the instrument by 
 which the clay had been removed being quite distinct on the surface. 
 The floor was covered with beautiful pebbles and shells, similar to those 
 found on the shores of the Sea of Azoff". There was an arched niche in 
 each of three sides, on which lay crumbled portions of wood, bones, and 
 fragments of glass ; but everything appeared in disorder, and it was 
 evident, at the first glance, that all within had been displaced from its 
 original position. 
 
 Further search discovered to us a circular passage, little more than 
 one foot in diameter, proceeding to the right from one of the niches. I 
 attempted to pass through ; but the passage was too small. On its 
 being enlarged,. I was proceeding to make another attempt, when the man 
 of the 71st earnestly entreated me not to risk my life; at the same time 
 assuring me, that as he was partly the means of getting me in, he would 
 follow me to the end. We crept into another chamber similar exactly to 
 the last, with the same disorder around. A passage led on to a third: 
 everything was upset here also. It was into this last tomb that parties 
 
DISCOVERY OF TWO COLOSSAL STATUES. 85 
 
 had, at some remote date, made an entrance, and effected a passage into 
 the Others by piercing the intervening space, which was about two feet in 
 thickness. This was evident; for the stone was removed from the 
 door, and sand had fallen in, closing upwards of one-third of the area, 
 while in the centre tomb all was clear, and the flag-stone closed the 
 entrance. 
 
 On muttering something about ill luck and misfortune, the 71st 
 man, holding his candle up and looking as if he had just risen from 
 the dead, eagerly inquired if we saw anything. He was assured that 
 there was no cause for alarm; but his knees trembled, and he kept 
 continually turning sharply round, as if he suspected that the ghost of one 
 of the departed was about to lay hands on him. I became terrified lest 
 he might drop down in a swoon ; in which case it would have been a 
 puzzle to get him through the hole he entered. At length we reached 
 the exit ; and the soldier speedily took his departure, declaring he would 
 go "into no more of them dungeons." These repeated disappointments 
 naturaUy chagrined me; but I resolved to persevere until the period 
 of our departure arrived. 
 
 M. Bootmy, the Procureur du Roi, afready referred to, pointed out 
 a spot where, just prior to the breaking out of hostiUties, a Russian 
 peasant, digging in the plot adjoining his house, with the view to enlarge 
 his premises, came upon two beautiful Grecian statues in pm-e white 
 marble. 
 
 The one he described as the figure of the Pythian Apollo, stood about 
 fifteen feet in height, on a pedestal or base six inches in thickness. It 
 was nude, with a loose robe over the shoulder and extended left ann, 
 and holding a scroll in his hand; his head was uncovered, and he was 
 in the attitude of one addressing an assembly. 
 
 The other was a female figure twelve feet in height, also in pure 
 marble. Her head slightly reclined; her hair was thrown back, and it 
 was encircled by a network which fell over her shoulders. The drapery 
 
86 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 which covered the figure was beautifully arranged, and, like the male 
 figure, her head was uncovered. 
 
 The chiselling of both was perfect, and the features were purely 
 Grecian. A report of the discovery was made to the late Emperor 
 Nicholas, who ordered the Governor to send the statues to St. Petersburg, 
 and directed a medal and a sum of money to be given to the finder at a 
 public meeting of the inhabitants. The man received his medal and his 
 money ; but the statues were both lost in the Volga, when en route to 
 the Russian capital. 
 
 I searched on this spot without success. This Russian gentleman 
 assured me that there are still a vast abundance of valuable Grecian 
 remains, not only in this Peninsula, but also in the countries around. And 
 the following paragraph, extracted from the Times of a recent date, shows 
 that the Russians are still eager in the search :— 
 
 " The Herculean labour of removing a cairn two hundred and fifty 
 feet in height, which has been carried on for nearly five years near the 
 village of Alexandropol, in the Russian province of Ekatarinoslaw, has 
 just been completed, and led to the most important discovery of numerous 
 articles of gold, silver, bronze, and clay, as also of iron shafts and rods, 
 nails, skeletons of horses, and ornaments of gold. The whole are in an 
 excellent state of preservation ; and although traces of an attempt, made 
 at some remote period, to efiect an entry is plainly visible, the number 
 of objects now brought to light are very considerable. In comparing 
 the well-known passage in Herodotus respecting the burial-place of the 
 Scythian kings with the present discovery, it is clear that this is one of 
 the catacombs mentioned by him ; and sanguine hopes are entertained 
 that the success attendant on this first attempt will lead to further and 
 even more important discoveries." 
 
 Not far from the tombs last described, the workmen had arrived 
 at the mouth of a shaft, in all respects similar to the other. Close 
 to it was a grave cut out of the rock. The shaft was cleared, and the 
 
=LATE r. 
 
 CEK6lL,delK.Jith. 
 
 W.Wsst.iith'' Hatton Gaiden- 
 
 FROM THE VAHANGIAN TOMB S_BYZANTINE. 
 
 Pablashedij^ Strath, Elder i C° Lona0n,lB57 
 
OPENING OF A SEPULCHRAL CHAMBER. 
 
 87 
 
 flag-stone removed from the entrance; close to which were the bones of 
 a horse. After our previous disappointments, it will be admitted that we 
 had some cause for misgivings ; but all doubts disappeared on entering. 
 
 The cut represents the position 
 of the various objects in the tomb. 
 There was no confusion here. The 
 floor was covered with the same 
 beautiful pebbles. On the niches 
 around all the objects remained as 
 they had been placed twenty centuries 
 ago. It was a sight replete with interest to survey this chamber: to 
 examine each article as it had been originally placed; to contemplate its 
 use ; and to behold the efiects of time on us proud mortals. "Dust 
 thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return," was exemplified here to the 
 letter. There, in the stillness of this chamber, lay the unrufiled dust 
 of the human frame, possessing still the form of man. The bones had 
 all disappeared, or their outer surface alone remained. The space occupied 
 by the head did not exceed the size of the palm of the hand; yet the 
 position of the features could still be traced on the undisturbed dust. 
 There was the depression for the eyes, the slight prominence of the nose, 
 and the mark of the mouth; the teeth being the only portion of the 
 entire frame which remain unchanged. The folds in which the garments 
 enveloped the body, nay, even the knots which bound them, could be 
 traced on the dust. 
 
 A few enamelled beads were found in the right hand of the dead, 
 and some walnuts in the left; and the green mark of a copper ring, 
 into which a stone had been fixed, was on one finger. On each niche 
 one body had been placed. The coffins, crumbled into powder, had fallen 
 in. At the head was a glass bottle ; one of these still held about a 
 tablespoonful of wine: the nuts and wine being doubtless placed there to 
 cheer and support the soul in its passage to paradise. There was a cup 
 
88 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 and a lachrymatory of glass, and an unglazed earthenware lamp stood in 
 a small niche above the head. This tomb was sufficiently spacious to 
 permit ten of us to stand upright. 
 
 Search was made for another tomb adjoining this ; but none was found. 
 Continuing our researches above in the same locality, we struck upon two 
 other shafts leading to catacombs, of a similar nature to the last ; animal 
 bones being found in each descent, just before reaching the large flag-stone 
 which closed the passage. The interiors of both of these were similar in 
 construction, and the bodies had been arranged in the same manner : one 
 was considerably larger than the other. In the larger, the only niche in 
 the wall held the remains of two bodies, and there were four placed on 
 the ground. The smaller had two on the ground, and one on the niche 
 in the wall. Those on the floor had no ornaments, and were probably 
 slaves or attendants. Glass vessels, and some fibulae, were also discovered 
 in these tombs. 
 
 Finding that I had come upon an unexplored field, a tunnel was run 
 from the last excavation, to save the toil of descending from above 
 through a quantity of surface earth. (Vide Frontispiece.) We had not 
 proceeded far when we arrived at the tomb usually found close to the 
 descent. In this catacomb were two low niches in the walls. On one 
 side two adult bodies had been placed, and at their feet the remains of a 
 child. On the other were the remains of a person of very large stature. 
 On his left breast an ornamental brooch was fixed; silver and bronze 
 ornaments of a belt encircled his waist, and the remains of a short sword 
 or dagger lay by his side. There was a beautiful glass cup and saucer, 
 lachrymatories, and other vessels of much interest, discovered here. 
 
 We found it was necessary to be extremely careful with these glass 
 vessels. They were of so slender and exceedingly friable a nature, that 
 if suddenly removed from the confined and warm air below to the cold 
 atmosphere above, they almost invariably cracked and fell to pieces : the 
 same happened with very many of the beads. 
 
Plai-e VI. 
 
 G.r'Keii.del. el htfi. 
 
 W WestJith'^Hauoii Garden. 
 
 FRDM THE VARANGIAN TOMBS _. BYZANTINE. 
 
 PuHished ij Simth.Elder i C° Landcm,185A 
 
CONTENTS OF A SUBTERRANEAN TOMB. 89 
 
 Proceeding onwards we arrived at another descent ; the tomb adjoining 
 which, however, contained nothing. A large projecting stone in the clay 
 interfered with the formation of a cavity here. An arched passage was 
 discovered to the right, from whence a second chamber had been scooped 
 out. In this were the remains of one person, with no ornament or relic 
 near. Another passage was discovered extending still further into the 
 earth ; passing into this, the remains of a man, evidently of unusually large 
 stature, was found. In length he must have measured fully seven feet, and 
 he was of great breadth; judging from the space occupied by his dust. 
 In this, as in the others which we explored, the resemblance of the 
 contents of the tomb bore a strong analogy ; but this one appeared to be 
 better finished than the others : the ornaments placed on the only niche 
 in the wall were also of a superior construction. 
 
 There had been something like a Persian skull-cap on the head of 
 this man, and his long hair — the only portion of the remains which had not 
 passed into its natural dust — fell over his shoulders. An ornamental 
 brooch, studded with small garnets, was on his left breast. A very 
 beautiful glass decanter, having a handle, and ribbed round the neck, with 
 a drinking glass, were found near his head. In this decanter there was 
 about a tablespoonful of wine, and, from the lees encrusted on the glass 
 that stood close to it, the glass must have been filled with wine when 
 placed there; both vessels being conveniently situated, as if the deceased 
 might be inclined to partake of the contents of the glass and replenish it 
 from the decanter. The wine was of a red colom*, and it had a distinctly 
 vinous taste. The red and white portions separated, on being exposed to the 
 air, and the fluid rapidly evaporated, until it was bottled up and sealed. 
 This wine, and some perfect walnuts found in the same tomb, are now in 
 the British Museum. A glass lachrymatory, and a very beautiful engraved 
 cornelian, representing the she wolf suckling Komulus and Eemus, the 
 remains of a dagger in a sheath, and some corroded links of iron 
 resemblmg armour, were found in this tomb. Indeed, the tomb bore 
 
90 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 about it traces of its being the resting-place of a chief, or one of the 
 most distinguished of its tribe. 
 
 In a portion of dark surface soil, projecting into the white calcareous 
 clay of this tomb, which was upwards of thirty feet below the natural 
 surface, were found the remains of a female ; they were enveloped in a 
 substance resembling seaweed, and the bones were in excellent preservation. 
 The seaweed was compressed by the superincumbent earth to the thickness 
 of two inches : it was as white as snow, and when taken in the hand 
 separated into thin flakes and fell to pieces. This substance was found 
 in many of our researches, and it was possibly made use of on account 
 of the antiseptic property which it doubtless possesses. 
 
 Adjoining the large tomb last described, and communicating with it 
 by a small arched passage, was a narrow tomb ( Vide Frontispiece) of 
 peculiar construction. It was formed with red square tiles, three on 
 each side, ha\'ing Greek letters ( Vide Plate 7) stamped thereon. It 
 contained the bones of a female, also enveloped in seaweed, around which 
 there were some interesting relics. The central catacomb evidently con- 
 tained the remains of a chief; the body on the right hand was possibly 
 his slave ; the tomb formed with tiles contained probably his concubine, 
 her attendant being close to her. 
 
 It was now necessary to abandon this highly interesting spot. The 
 tunnelling having been carried too perpendicularly downwards, the earth 
 had already given way more than once, and all but entombed us also. 
 To reach the last tomb described, viz., that formed with red tiles, the 
 length of passage was not less than forty feet. There were no props used : 
 we trusted alone to the tenacity of the earth, which was considerable ; 
 but if a horse or other large animal passed over the ground above our 
 heads, the entire roof shook as if about to tumble in. 
 
 The experience I had now acquired convinced me that the deep descent 
 close to the large stone temple (or chapel, as the workmen called it), 
 which we had abandoned on account of the formidable nature of the 
 
CALCAREOUS CLAY OF THE CATACOMBS. Ql 
 
 work, was analogous to the calcareous tombs, but on a much larger scale. 
 The calcareous clay excavated from these catacombs crumbles into dust 
 
 on exposure ; the shafts descending into them, on the tombs beino- closed 
 
 and each catacomb has usually a separate entrance — are refilled with this 
 sand, which now bears no resemblance to the surrounding soil. And when 
 we reflect on the extent to which this underground excavation has been 
 carried on, we oease to wonder at the huge mounds of earth which have 
 accumulated on the surface. 
 
92 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 ARMENIAN LABOURERS— EXTENSIVE EXCAVATIONS AND INTERESTING DISCOVERIES 
 — PROFESSOR OWEN'S DESCRIPTION OF HUMAN BONES FOUND — EXPLORATION 
 OF THE GREAT SHAFT, AND ITS RESULTS — PERILOUS SITUATION — RUSSLAN 
 JEALOUSY. 
 
 Peace having been proclaimed, the period of our departure from Kertch 
 was near at hand. Eesolving to make another attempt to explore the 
 great shaft, at the bottom of which I pictured to myself an extensive 
 chamber dazzling with bright and valuable ornaments, I called a council 
 of workmen, and was not a little gratified to learn that they were 
 unanimously of opinion that the work should be proceeded with at once. 
 They made the shrewd observation, that now we had reached the door, 
 we might as well open it as leave it to the Russians to do so. 
 
 I often admired the cheerful disposition of my Armenian labourers. 
 Their ready desire to please, their willingness to carry out my wishes, 
 their eagerness to prosecute the search at all times, when we arrived at 
 a spot which promised well, even although it interfered with their meals, 
 could not fail to make me very partial to them. Their joy was equal to 
 my own on making any discovery, and I do believe they latterly took 
 nearly as much interest in the explorations as I did. When we arrived 
 at any spot which promised success, one or more of them visited it during 
 the night, to prevent the Tartars from plundering. They are a faithful, 
 well informed, and intelligent people— quite the opposite to the modern 
 Greeks in every respect : save, perhaps, in mercantile concerns, wherein they 
 excel them in shrewdness. 
 
 On one occasion I overheard a discussion amongst the labourers. The 
 Greeks and Turks were for striking work, on account of the dangers to 
 which they were exposed. The Armenians argued that they were bound 
 
SUBTERRANEAN STONE TOMES. 
 
 93 
 
 to continue because the Hakeem Bashee had been very kind to them; 
 
 that his Queen was a great friend to all of them ; and that they ought 
 
 to work, as all they got would be given to her. 
 
 My ascendancy over these men was acquired, in a great measure, 
 
 through the influence of Mr. Gunn, a young medical missionary, who 
 joined my stafi' on proceeding to the East. He early acquired a good 
 
 colloquial knowledge of their language, and he is, in all respects, peculiarly 
 
 adapted for the interesting field of labour to which he is about to 
 
 devote himself. 
 
 The only efi'ectual mode of exploring this shaft was to remove entirely 
 
 that portion of the hill immediately over it. Carefully measuring the 
 
 distance below, from the position of the shaft to the mouth of the tunnel, and 
 then from the latter to the entrance into the temple, the space presumed 
 to be over the descent was marked off above. Placing the men in two 
 gangs, each were required to work for half an hour without ceasing, 
 and then to relieve each other. Being inveterate smokers, this plan 
 afforded all an opportunity, at short intervals, of resting themselves and 
 indulging in the soothing influence of a pipe. 
 
 On the second day 
 of the work, at a depth 
 of twelve feet from the 
 surface, we struck upon 
 two stone tombs, con- 
 taining adult remains. 
 Eeclining, and at the 
 same time resting upon 
 them, were fragments 
 of large amphorse, each 
 of which contained the remains of a child. Beneath, at a distance of some 
 three feet, was found the skeleton of a horse. 
 
 There now appeared everj^ indication that a great feast or sacrifice had 
 
 --^^ 
 
 -^:^s^^-.^^ 
 
 
94 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 been held at this place ; for we came upon immense heaps of broken 
 amphorae; fragments of wine -jars, the insides of which were still encrusted 
 with the wine lees ; broken drinking cups ; flat tiles, which may have served 
 the purpose of plates ; ox and sheep bones ; fragments of earthenware cooking 
 pots, still black with smoke, and quantities of charcoal ; all confusedly 
 heaped together. Descending still further, we came upon what appeared 
 to us to have been a workshop. Portions of crucibles in which copper 
 had been smelted; corroded iron, painted plaster, lumps of vitreous glass, 
 moulds, fragments of painted and glazed terra cotta, broken glass vessels, &c., 
 were all found in one spot. The discovery of these articles was deeply 
 interesting to us, and most encouraging to our future success also ; for 
 we argued that they formed the debris of a rare collection, which we should 
 shortly come upon. Five feet deeper we came to the tunnel, and then 
 exposed the excavation in the rock ; the shaft, except in size, in all 
 respects resembling those leading to the calcareous tombs. 
 
 As the hill was removed, platforms were scarped off the side on which 
 the earth was thrown up, a man being placed on each platform ( Vide 
 Frontispiece) ; and as we descended into the shaft, planking was thrown 
 across it and fixed into its sides, forming temporary platforms ; on each 
 of which a man was placed, in order to throw up the earth which he 
 received from the platform immediately below him. 
 
 On the eighth day we reached a depth of fifteen feet in the shaft ; 
 the portion of the hill removed being twenty-eight feet in length, twenty 
 in height, and twelve in breadth. We had till now surmounted every 
 difficulty, and our work was progressing famously. Still we appeared to 
 be an immense distance from the bottom of the shaft ; for, even after 
 removing a quantity of the soft sand from one corner, the exploring rod 
 dropped its entire length into the sand and indicated no bottom near. I 
 had begun to feel uneasy regarding the stability of the platform, and was 
 considering what better system to substitute in its stead, when my 
 attention was attracted by the fall of some earth from above. Looking 
 
PERILOUS POSITION. 95 
 
 upwards, to my horror I beheld a deep rent in a portion of the bank 
 which had projected slightly over the pit in which we now stood. With 
 as little confusion as the frightfully perilous position in which we were 
 placed would admit, we scrambled aloft. We heard the earth falling in 
 lai'ge quantities around us, and the men above kept urging us to speed, 
 as the gap was rapidly widening. Our feet were barely planted on firm 
 soil when the earth slowly opened and, falling with a tremendous crash, 
 carried away the fine platfonns that had cost us such trouble to erect ; 
 closing to the mouth a good twenty feet of our work, crushing the ladder, 
 and covering a number of our mining tools besides, which was a great 
 inconvenience. 
 
 The workmen were naturally alarmed, and showed some reluctance 
 to return to their work ; but it was pointed out to them, ttat the 
 danger which had existed was now passed, and that it was much better 
 that the slip had taken place when it did, while we had platforms to 
 ascend by, than by and by when we should have to ascend and descend 
 in a basket. My reasoning was sufficient : they placed their lives, they 
 said, in my hands ; and they worked with such a will, that in three 
 days we again reached the spot where our tools were deposited. The 
 following day we discovered the entire skeleton of a horse in the very 
 centre of the shaft. The earth up to this period had been drawn up 
 by means of ropes and baskets, or buckets ; which rendered the progress 
 of the woi'k slow and unsatisfactorv. 
 
 The mouth of the shaft, which, as before said, was hewn out of 
 rock three feet in thickness, was twelve feet broad by eighteen long. 
 It then took a bell shape, the diameter of which was twenty-two feet. 
 This portion was in dark, consistent clay, to a depth of six feet. 
 Beyond this, the size of the shaft became a square of seven feet, cut out 
 of sandstone ; and thus it descended. ( Vide Frontispiece.) 
 
 When we had reached a depth of some thirty feet in the shaft, the 
 labour of raising the earth became so great, that had it not been for 
 
96 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 the valuable aid of Captain Commerell, commanding Her Majesty's ship 
 Snahe, who in the most handsome way offered his assistance, I should 
 have been forced to abandon the work. 
 
 In the course of a very few hours Captain Commerell, with a party 
 of his active men, threw a bridge across the summit of the shaft over 
 the opening on the hill ; on the centre he fixed a block and shears, 
 and by this means, with relays of baskets, the earth was cleared out; 
 four men being at work below, and all the others put to the rope. 
 
 A few feet beyond the bones of the horse, and also in the centre of 
 the descent, the skeleton of an adult female, partly enveloped in seaweed, 
 was found ; under the neck was a common earthenware lachrymatory ; 
 on the middle finger of the right hand there was a copper key ring, 
 and on the left wrist a few mosaic beads. Three feet lower down, we 
 reached a layer of human male skeletons, laid head to feet, the bones in 
 excellent preservation ; as indeed we always found them to be, wherever 
 the calcareous clay came into immediate contact with them. There were 
 ten skeletons on this spot; and, separated by a foot of sand, we came 
 upon four similar layers, being exactly fifty in all. There was no ornament 
 or relic discovered in this space. 
 
 We had now reached a depth of forty-two feet in the shaft. The 
 bones of another horse were turned out, and then nothing but loose 
 sand, to a depth of five feet. Six male skeletons were here again met 
 with, and on these being removed, hard bottom could at length be felt 
 with the steel exploring rod. At the bottom lay two skeletons completely 
 enveloped in seaweed, and in a large ornamented amphora at one corner, 
 which was unfortunately broken, were the remains of a child. The depth 
 from the mouth to the bottom of the shaft was fifty-two feet. 
 
 An alabaster scent-bottle, the surface of which was partly corroded, 
 fictile vases, lachrymatories of terra cotta, two-handled tazzas in considerable 
 quantities, beads, and other trifles, were all we got to repay our labours. 
 {See Plates 8 and 9.) There were no fibulae of any description. The 
 
HOSTILITY OF THE RUSSIAN OFFICIALS. 97 
 
 size of the shaft continued the same down to the bottom ; the mark of 
 the chisel on the rock being as fresh as when first made. Its sides 
 were formed, first, of rock three feet, then soft clay seven feet, sandstone 
 thirty feet, and lastly, hard firm clay to a depth of twelve feet. We 
 carefully and most minutely examined every portion of the shaft, more 
 especially that part which passed through the clay, in hopes of discovering 
 some concealed passage to a tomb, but none was found. Everything during 
 the descent promised so very favourably that we fully expected a rich 
 treasure below. But if a chamber does exist, the passage to it baffled 
 all. our researches to discover it. 
 
 Since my return to England, I have heard that the keeper of the 
 Museum at Kertch has discovered a passage and a large tomb adjoining, 
 in which quantities of ornaments and vessels in the precious metals have 
 been discovered. But I very much doubt the fact. The entrance could 
 not have escaped the scrutiny which the shaft underwent previous to my 
 leaving it. Moreover, the Eussian ofiicials evinced a decided hostility to 
 our researches. Their first act, on the declaration of peace, was to 
 solicit that I should cease my excavations ; and on my declining to do 
 so, a complaint was formally made by them to the English authorities 
 that I was exhuming their recent dead. Another circumstance also 
 occurred, which leads me to suppose that the report now raised rests 
 upon no foundation. Just as I was about to leave Kertch, I was told 
 by a Russian priest, who communicated information to me occasionally 
 in return for bottles of rum, that the most valuable treasures which had 
 been deposited in the Museum, had been buried under the flags of the 
 floor, and were still safe. On hearing this report, I took a party of 
 workmen to the Museum, and satisfied myself that the report was what 
 is denominated in vulgar parlance, a hoax. 
 
 I have stated that the bones found embedded in the calcareous 
 clay remained in good preservation. I examined with much interest the 
 dififerent formations of cranium, and the diseases which had affected the 
 
98 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 long bones; and perceived some united fractures which would do credit 
 to the best surgeons of our own day. Toothache, to judge from the 
 number of carious teeth, appeared to have been a very common affliction ; 
 but in no case did I discover any attempt at stopping the teeth : a 
 practice which is known to have existed among the Egyptians. 
 
 The greater number of bones which I attempted to bring with 
 me to this country have crumbled into powder. Those that remained 
 were submitted to the able anatomist and osteologist, Professor Owen, 
 who has kindly favoured me with the following report thereon. 
 
 They comprise the skull and left femur of the male skeleton, and 
 the left femur of the female, found at the bottom of the great shaft; and 
 the femur and tibia, with a portion of the vertebral column, of the 
 deformed skeleton, discovered in the large Tumulus with the bronze 
 Hydria. 
 
 Clarke states that the custom of cremation was not adopted by the 
 Greeks in the Taurida ; and my researches, in a great degree, corroborate 
 this, for only in one instance did I find that ashes had been deposited 
 in an urn. 
 
 Description of the Bones by Professor Owen. 
 
 " The skull of an adult male, rather under the middle age, 
 the wisdom-teeth (last molars) lost before death. Of Indo-European 
 characters ; of the dolichocephalic variety. 
 
 " Indications of a vigorous muscular individual in the process from 
 the basi-occipital, and the ridges near the occipital condyles. 
 
 " Left femur of the same individual, indicating his stature to have 
 been about five feet nine and a half inches, with the linese asperse and 
 other indications of muscular force unusually, almost abnormally, developed. 
 The mark of the attachment of the ligamentum teres, and of the capsule 
 of the knee-joint, concur in bespeaking the active muscular character of 
 the individual. 
 
PROFESSOR OWEN's DESCRIPTION OF THE BONES. QQ 
 
 " The left femur of a female, manifesting — though in a minor detTee 
 than in the foregoing bone of the male— active muscular habits. 
 
 " The femur and tibia, portions of both which bones are enlarged by 
 diseased action, probably simple inflammation." 
 
100 ANTIQUITIES OF KEKTCH. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 SPECULATIONS ON THE OKIGIN OF THE SHAFT — CURIOUS EELICS DISCOVERED — 
 ANGLO-SAXON FIBUL^^-COINS OF PANTICAP^UM— MOTIVES FOR EXPLORATION 
 —PECULATIONS OF THE TARTARS. 
 
 It was argued by many who were tempted by curiosity to visit this 
 extraordinary work, that it was nothing but a cloaca. But I do not 
 at all agree with them in this supposition. Had it been so, wherefore 
 the regularity with which the remains were deposited ? The three at the 
 bottom of the pit— male, female, and child — most likely an entire family ; 
 then the six household domestics— cup-bearer, cook, groom, page^ messenger, 
 &c. ; following these, the horse ; and, last of all, the fifty slaves. Even 
 the substance to which I have applied, perhaps, the misnomer of 
 seaweed, may be the " bed of grass " described by Herodotus : the " deep 
 square fosse," and finally the hill placed over "the fosse;" could there 
 have been a more exact and minute description of the mode in which 
 the Scythian kings were deposited in their last resting-place? 
 
 The substitution of Greek terra cotta ornaments for the silver 
 and gold dishes, would imply that the work was accomplished while the 
 Milesians held the colony; at which period the Scythians had been shorn 
 of their wealth and power. The Greek historian states that the Scythian 
 bows were made of reeds ; by which he undoubtedly means bamboos. His 
 seaweed may in like manner imply rushes, or grass. 
 
 At the same time it ought to be stated that in the proceedings of 
 the Society of Antiquaries of London, reference is made to Koman 
 remains having been found in deep perpendicular pits, from which tombs 
 branched off" on each side of the descent; every care being taken not only 
 to conceal the real passage, but false passages being actually formed, with 
 
Q 
 
 
 W 
 
 m 
 m 
 
 m 
 Hi 
 
 Wl 
 
 ^' 
 
 -Q 
 
CURIOUS RELICS OF ANTIQUITY. 
 
 101 
 
 the view doubtless of deceiving any future explorer. In the " Voyage 
 Pittoresque en Seville," shafts of a similar form are represented, from 
 whence chambers branched off. 
 
 Not the least interesting of the 
 relics discovered by me was a Col- 
 throp, formed from the head of 
 the human radius. The representa- 
 tion here given will explain itself. 
 There are four points so joined at 
 the base, that being thrown on the 
 ground, one stands upright ; one 
 point is formed from the human bone, the other three are ivory spikes 
 (one being broken) introduced into the articulating end of the bone. 
 The specimen is probably unique. 
 
 Gold-leaf was sometimes found on the surface 
 of the dust, in the place where the head had lain, 
 as if it had been placed on the brow. In one 
 was found a copper circlet, having a centre branch 
 attached, which passed over the crown of the head ; 
 to this were appended smaller wires of copper, to 
 which a garland of flowers had probably been 
 attached. 
 
 Some of the beads were of a mosaic pattern 
 presenting beautiful forms and colours ; others 
 were formed of gold, terra cotta, jet, amber, niccolo 
 or vitreous paste, glass, stone, and shell. ( Vide 
 Plates 7 and 8.) There were also iron and copper 
 armlets similar to the accompanying woodcut. 
 
 There appears to have been a similarity between the customs of the 
 Greeks and those of the Egyptians. That practice which we know to have 
 been so common in Egypt, of placing with their dead small sepulchral figures 
 
102 
 
 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 fig. 1. 
 
 Fig. 2. 
 
 in porcelain, as tokens or emblems of 
 burial, was in use also amongst the 
 Greeks. I found in some tombs, fisrures 
 in baked clay, of Hermes or Mercury, 
 as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 represents 
 an Eygptian sepulchral figure which I 
 took from a tomb at Cairo. I also 
 discovered a key ring ( Vide Plate 5) 
 exactly similar to one which a gentle- 
 man, to whom I showed it, assured me 
 he had himself taken from a tomb at 
 Thebes. The intaglios picked up in the tombs (as 
 shown in the annexed cuts) at Kertch, were evidently 
 
 the seals of individuals ; just as 
 the scarabeus is found in Egyptian 
 tombs. 
 
 The peculiar construction of some 
 of the larger tombs, such as that re- 
 presented at page 6l, is essentially 
 Egyptian. These were probably built 
 at a date long prior to the settlement of the Greeks 
 in the country, and may have been made use of by 
 them, at a subsequent date, as sepulchres. 
 
 In the great shaft were dis- 
 covered two adult female busts 
 in baked clay ( Vide Plate 8 and 
 Fig. 1), and one of a youth of 
 the same material. ( Vide Fig. 
 2.) The modelling of the for- 
 mer is good, although apparently 
 Fig_ , moulded by the fingers from the ^. ^ 
 

RELICS OF ANTIQUE ART. 
 
 103 
 
 wet clay and afterwards baked ; as the impression of the finders can be 
 traced on it. I likewise found in the same place a figure about six 
 inches in height, representing a senator in robes; it formed one of a 
 cluster which stood out in relief on a large earthenware jar which held 
 the remains of an infant. ( Vide Plate 8.) 
 
 Many articles of a fragile nature were unavoidably destroyed by the 
 workmen. But indeed it was impossible to avoid this, for such relics 
 were often turned out of the earth, there being nothing to indicate our 
 approach towards them. I may here state, for the information of explorers, 
 that a very serviceable cement is formed with gum arable and calomel, 
 and if the fragments of terra cotta, pottery, &c., can be secured, there 
 is little difficulty in uniting them. If the object be hollow it must be 
 carefully supported with some soft substance, as cotton or tow. 
 
 Fragments of Samian ware, beautiful specimens of terra cotta, coarse 
 and fine pottery, in all shapes and forms, were picked up during my 
 researches. A number 
 of conical-formed pieces 
 of baked clay, of differ- 
 ent sizes, some being 
 stamped, and all per- 
 forated with a hole at 
 the top, were found. 
 The purpose of these 
 is uncertain. They may have been used as weights, in commercial 
 transactions ; or for the purpose of being attached to nets ; or they may 
 have been intended for weaving purposes. 
 
 I was now most reluctantly obliged to bring my researches to a 
 close, for transports were in the offing to bear away all Englishmen 
 from Russian soil. I say most reluctantly, because in work such as 
 I had been engaged on — as indeed in all operations — knowledge is 
 gained by experience. I had, as it were, served my apprenticeship, and 
 
104 
 
 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 formed a good general notion where to begin, when to go on, and when 
 to stop. 
 
 The Szislics, a small animal of the weasel tribe, numerous over this 
 country, penetrate deep into the ground and form comfortable chambers, 
 into which they convey their food. I found that their galleries ran 
 down between the natural and artificial soil ; the animals being possibly 
 prompted by instinct to choose this direction, the soil being looser and easier 
 worked than in other spots. This fact, and the appearance of the soil as 
 I proceeded, served to guide me, and enabled me to mark out spots on 
 which some of my friends explored with success on their own account. 
 
 Had time admitted, I entertained no doubt that a large measure of 
 success would have rewarded my labours ; for there still remains a wide 
 field for research. However, the discovery of the calcareous tombs was 
 alone ample remuneration for all my toil. The Grecian figure in gold, 
 and the bracelets, I regard as very ancient and beautiful specimens of 
 early Greek art; and they exhibit a remarkable type of the mythology 
 of the age in which they were fabricated. 
 
 But of all the relics discovered, none have excited more interest, 
 and given rise to more speculation amongst antiquarians, than the Fibulae, 
 which bear so exact an analogy to that class denominated Anglo-Saxon, 
 that the general impression appears to be that they belonged to one and 
 the same people. The Greek emperors, we know, were accustomed to 
 retain in their pay a Teutonic bodyguard termed Varangians, meaning 
 exiles or wanderers, who were possessed of many privileges. These were, 
 in fact, Anglo-Saxons, and were joined by their countrymen from time 
 to time, as the crusades and other causes attracted new bands to the 
 East. They became more distinguished for valour than the far-famed 
 Prsetorian bands of Eome, and existed in full strength till the last days 
 of the Greek empire. In Villehardoun's account of the taking of the 
 city of Constantinople by the Franks and Venetians, he makes repeated 
 mention of this celebrated and singular body of Englishmen, forming a 
 
THE VARANGIAN WARRIORS. 105 
 
 guard attendant on the king's person ; and it is by no means improbable 
 that the Bosphorian kings found it also their interest to have their 
 household troops composed of this faithful, hardy, and erratic race. 
 
 The following passage from the " Decline and Fall of the Eoman 
 Empire," may serve to explain the strange position of the Varangian 
 troops at Constantinople. Having traced their origin as the founders, 
 and for three generations the upholders, of the Scandinavian dynasty in 
 Russia, the historian shows that Wladimar the First, feeling himself securely 
 settled, and in danger only from his own friends, induced them, by 
 representing the superior wealth of the south, to proceed to Constantinople. 
 " The exiles were entertained at the Byzantine court ; and they preserved, 
 to the last days of the Empire, the inheritance of spotless loyalty and the 
 use of the Danish or English tongue. With their broad and double-edged 
 battle-axes on their shoulders, they attended the Greek Emperor to the 
 temple, to the senate, and to the hippodrome. He slept and feasted under 
 their trusty guard ; and the keys of the palace, the treasurj-, and the 
 capitol were held by the firm and faithful hands of the Varangians." 
 
 De la Motte Fouque, in his spirited narrative, in which he describes 
 the active part that the Varangians played, states that they were styled 
 " the eagles " of the Greek army ; that their tall and erect forms were 
 always conspicuous, and their actions more glorious than those of others. 
 
 Some archaeologists, however, argue that the ornaments of Anglo- 
 Saxon origin, date from a period far anterior to the existence of the 
 Varangians. They trace the Anglo-Saxon character of these ornaments 
 very much higher, and suppose that there were analogies between the 
 ancient Scythian inmates of the tombs and the remote ancestors of the 
 Anglo-Saxons. In short, that the objects found at Kertch ought to 
 be assigned from the Varantrian guard to the brothers and cousins of 
 their ancestors, fourteen or fifteen generations back. 
 
 The author of "The Celt, the Koman, and the Saxon" states that 
 " Bronze is the metal found almost exclusively in the very early sepulchral 
 
106 
 
 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 interments. But we ai-c not sufficiently acquainted with the sentiments 
 and customs of the people to whom they belonged, to say that there was 
 not some particular reason why they preferred articles of bronze rather 
 than other metals. Pei'haps it was looked upon as more precious. 
 
 " The origin of bronze was the attempt to harden copper, in countries 
 where iron was not known or could not be procured. Iron undergoes 
 much more rapid decomposition, and even in interments of the Anolo- 
 Saxon period there is often scarcely a trace remaining of what we know 
 were articles composed of that metal. What then must be the case 
 with regard to similar interments at a much more remote period?" 
 
 But it is to the coins of Panticapseum that we must look for the 
 most interesting record of this colony. At the period of the arrival of 
 the Milesians in this locality, the invention of the art which enables 
 us to trace the earliest records of the migration, the mythology, and 
 manners of this great people, was in its infancy. This " State Gazette," 
 as Addison denominates the Eoman coinage, which rose on the ruins of 
 that of Greece, records, as it were, all current events. Up to the period 
 of Mithridates, the medals of the Bosphorus exhibit the independency 
 of the colony. In the reign of this monarch the coins of Pontus and 
 of the Cimmerian Bosphorus were united ; and after the death of this 
 great prince, the medals show that the settlement became a colony of 
 the Eoman empire. The grazing stag sometimes seen on the medals 
 of Mithridates indicates that he was sovereign over the whole of the 
 Taurida; the crescent and star, also frequently represented, belonging to 
 the temple of the Tauric Diana, then worshipped by all the surrounding 
 countries. 
 
 The accompanying woodcut 
 delineates the only coin of this 
 monarch's reign which I hap- 
 pened to find : the description 
 is as follows : — 
 
PLxVTE X. 
 
 jYiiJiii[g@[Li i^m® m^©uii^rmm^ @m Ki^MPCLii ©if ^m 
 
 1. Antimachus. 
 
 2. ^schines. 
 
 3. Borys. 
 
 4. Cratistarchus. 
 
 5. Demetrius. 
 
 6. Dios. 
 
 7. E . . . . 
 
 8. Histiseus. 
 
 9. Naupon. 
 
 10. Philocrates. 
 n. Pro . . . 
 
 12. 
 
 1.3 
 
 AMPHORA HANDLES. 
 
 I. with title aarvvonoQ 
 
 "ANTIM]AXOY 
 °ASTYNO]MOY 
 . . . . Y 
 
 (ascribed to Olhia.) 
 
 A2TYN0M0Y 
 
 AISXINOY 
 
 APAB02 
 
 BOPYOS ASTY 
 
 NOMOYNTOS 
 
 nYGEQ 
 
 (Vase). 
 
 Cf. Sal)atkr,Y>. 490, 1, 2, 3, 
 '^"^ and p. 492, 2. 
 
 (Bunch of Grapes). 
 
 Cf. Sabatkr, 483, 4, 5, 
 6. 
 
 ASTYNOMOY 
 KPATISTAPXOY (Vase?) 
 KAAAISGENH . . 
 
 [AST]YNOMOY "T" 
 
 [AHJMHTPIOY TOY 
 
 .... NHTOY ^f 
 .... AATHS 
 
 AI02 
 
 ASTYNOMOY 
 
 ANTIMAXOY 
 
 E . . AA . . . 
 
 AETYNOMOYNTOS 
 
 <l>IAOKPATEYS 
 
 A2TYN0M0Y (VaseY 
 EKATAI0[Y 
 
 .^\ NAYHQN 
 
 ASTYNO[MOYN] 
 TOS OY 
 
 (Head in <I>IAOK [PATEYS] 
 profile.) A2TYN[0 
 
 npQTroY 
 
 ACTY[N0M0Y] 
 AION[YSIOY] 
 
 Callisthenes in Sabatier, 402. 
 
 nATPOYT-Y 
 AHOAAOAQPOY (Vase.) 
 KOS 
 
 OY TOY 
 
 Y i^^ (Prow of a Ship.) 
 
1. jEnesidamus. 
 
 2. Ag . . omachus. 
 
 3. Damocrates. 
 
 4. Symmaclius. 
 
 5. Thesedetes. 
 
 6. Thestor. 
 
 7. Agoranax. 
 
 8. Agoranax. 
 
 9. Aristides. 
 
 10. Asicrates. 
 
 11. Cleonjmius. 
 
 12. Cleucates. 
 
 13. Ilioron. 
 
 14. Marsyas. 
 
 15. Pausanias. 
 IC. Thea;detus. 
 
 17. Xuuojjhaiuus. 
 
 18. Xenopliou. 
 
 19. . . . phanes. 
 
 20. Agesidas. 
 
 n. RHODIAN AMPHORA. 
 
 Circular with rose in centre. 
 
 Eni AINH2IAAM0Y ArPIANIOY 
 
 Eni Ar . OMAXOY YAKINGIOY 
 
 AAMOKPATEYS 
 
 Eni SYMMAXOY AFPIANIOY 
 
 Eni OEAIAHTOY AAA[IO]Y 
 
 Eni OESTOPOS nANAMOY 
 
 /3. without rose. 
 
 ArOPANAKTOS 
 APTAMITIOY 
 
 ArOPAN.4KTOS 
 AAAIOY 
 
 APIS[TEI]AA 
 n[ANAM]OY 
 
 Em A2IKPATEYS 
 nANAMOY 
 
 Em KAEi2NY 
 MOY 
 BAAPOMIOY 
 
 [E]m KAEYKATEYS 
 [eES]MO«l>OPIOY 
 
 em lepWNOc 
 
 APieMITIOY 
 
 MAPSYA 
 nANAMOY 
 
 Em nAYSANIA 
 eESM04>0PI0Y 
 
 Em OEAI 
 AHTOY 
 GE2M0<I>0PI0Y 
 
 EPI SENO 
 
 <I>ANTOY 
 
 KAPNEIOY 
 
 Em SENO 
 
 •PQNTOS 
 
 APTAMITIOY 
 
 Em . . . <fANEY 
 
 [A]rPIANI[OY]. 
 
 APTAMITI 
 OY ArnCIAA. 
 
PLATE XI. 
 
 m. THASIAN AaiPHOR^. 
 e A C I Q N 
 
 insii 
 
 P YG I Q N 
 
 e A ] 21 Q N 
 K AG I T O E 
 
 INSCRIPTIONS ON NECKS OF AMPHORA. 
 N S S O S , , . 
 
 E n I K E P '^^^'P^'^ ""■ 
 A crescent 
 stamped \ written in red. 
 
 8 — 
 ONHCl<I>[0]P 
 
 C H 2 written in lilack on vase 
 
 A with four handles. 
 
 
 INSCRIPTIONS ON TILES. 
 
 
 1. 
 
 2. 
 3. 
 
 On large Flanged Tile. 
 
 
 |Ae| 
 
 On fragment of ditto. 
 
 <^B A 2 I A I K t^ 
 
 On fragment ditto. 
 
 
 (K . . . 
 
 
 4. 
 
 On fragment. 
 
 
 (A <5 X : anyovTOC.? 
 
 5. 
 
 On Pipe. 
 
 APX0NT02 
 YriAIN0NT0 2. 
 
 

 rV. UNCERTAIN 
 
 
 The first six are probably of Rhodes. 
 
 1. Antimachus. 
 
 ANTIMAXOY 
 
 1 f^ 
 
 < vy^ 
 
 2. Aglombrotus. 
 
 Eni AFAO 
 YMBPOTOY 
 
 3. Ai-istion. 
 
 APISTIQNOS 
 
 4. Dracon. 
 
 APAKONT . . 
 
 
 Z^- — 'W5^ (' Ancliiir ") 
 
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PLATE XII. 
 
 ©@Q[K]i [F@1U]1K1© \im TKll [E^©/^^.^Ta@l 
 
 Published by Smitli. Elder, aod Co., London, 18i7 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE COINS FOUND. 107 
 
 Obverse.— BAClAenc MIOPAAATOY. The head of the kintr, v\dth 
 a diadem. Reverse. — Lion's skin, suspended on a club (symbol of 
 Hercules), between a bow case (bow projecting from it) and a trident. 
 Underneath, are the numeral letters IB (12), indicative of the value of 
 the coin. 
 
 Plate 12 represents a few of the coins discovered. None of these 
 were found in the tombs; they were chiefly picked up in the soil while 
 prosecuting the search. 
 
 Mr. Vaux has favoured me with the following numismatic description 
 of the coins : — 
 
 1. Panticap^um. 
 
 Obv. Head of Pan to left, with wreath of vine-leaves. 
 
 HAN. Lion's head to left. Below, fish. 
 
 2. Panticapjeum. 
 
 Obv. Head of Pan to rigfht. 
 
 PAN. Fore part of gryphon to left. Below, fish. 
 
 3. Panticapjeum. 
 
 Obv. Head of Pan to left. 
 
 PAN. Above, quiver and arrow. 
 
 4. Phanagoria. 
 
 Obv. Male head, unbearded, to right. 
 
 Quiver and mon. 
 
 5. Sauromates IL (A.D. 13—16.) 
 
 Obv. Tl. lOY A€WC CAYPOMATOY. 
 
 Bust, diademed, of Tib. Julius Sauromates II. to 
 right. 
 
 Victory with olive wreath, and MH. 
 
 6. Ehescuporis II. (A.D. 16 — 37.) 
 
 Obv. Diademed head of Ehescuporis II. to right. 
 
 TAIOY ANIKOY . . 
 
 Bearded head of Tiberius the Emperor to right. 
 
108 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 7. Rhescuporis II. (A.D. 17 — 38 ) 
 
 Obv. Head of Rhescuporis II., diademed, to right. Behind, 
 mon. ; in front, ib. 
 
 TIBEPIOY KAIZAPOC. Bare head of the Emperor 
 
 Tiberius, neck undraped. 
 
 8. CoTYS I. (A.D. 49—69.) 
 
 Obv. TEIMA. Curule chair, on which a crown. To right, 
 a staff surmounted by a bust. 
 
 TOY ACFOYPFOY. Trophy composed of a buckler 
 
 and lance in centre. To right, a head of a man, 
 and a sword (?); to left, horse's head; below, KA. 
 
 9. Sauromates III. (A.D. 94—128.) 
 
 Obv OC CAYPOM[AT]OY. 
 
 Curule chair, on which a wreath. To right, a staff 
 with a head on it ; to left, a shield or a patera. 
 
 VII. within a wreath of oak -leaves. 
 
 10. Sauromates IV. (A.D. 175—210.) 
 
 BACiAEQC Head of Sauromates IV. 
 
 diademed ; long hair flowing down on neck. In 
 front, trident. 
 
 MH in a wTcath of laurel. 
 
 11. Sauromates IV. (A.D. 175—210.) 
 
 Obv. BAClAeoC CAYPOMATOY. Bearded and diademed 
 head of Sauromates IV. to right. In front, circle 
 of eight dots. 
 
 Eagle standing to left, with wreath in beak. PMA. 
 
 12. Ininthimeyus. (Probably A.D. 235—239.) 
 
 Obv. BACIA Busts of the King and 
 
 of Serapis fronting one another. 
 
 A female seated to left, wearing turreted head-dress. 
 
PART III. 
 
 REMARKS ON THE ETHNOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL 
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CRIMEA. 
 
REMAMS ON THE ETHNOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL 
 CHARACTERISTICS OP THE CRIMEA. 
 
 THE KERAIM JEWS— THE TARTARS — MUD VOLCANOES— A PERILOUS SITUATION — 
 NAPHTHA AND SULPHUR SPRINGS— CHEMCAL ANALYSIS OF THE FLUDDS-GEO- 
 LOGICAL FORMATION OF THE CRIMEA — DESCRIPTION OF THE FOSSIL SHELLS 
 AND GEOLOGICAL SPECIMENS BROUGHT FROM KERTCH — DEPTH OF THE SEA 
 OF ^VZOFF-EARLY CHRISTLVN CHURCH AT KERTCH-PHANAGORIA— CONCLUSION. 
 
 Besides the historical remains, there are other deeply interesting subjects 
 connected with this once classic country, and I know of none more so, 
 in an ethnological point of view, than the history, so far as we can 
 trace it, of the Keraim Jews; who may be considered the descendants 
 of the aborigines of the country. For, unlike others of their race, they 
 have never been wanderers. Their ovm. tradition is that the Crimean 
 settlement was formed prior to the birth of our Saviour. They state 
 that their original country was Georgia, and that they were carried from 
 Jerusalem to Media by Musul Padishah, the King of Nineveh. 
 
 Herodotus makes mention of a tribe whom he found in this countrv, 
 distinguished from all others by wearing a black garb, called Melanchloni ; 
 these may possibly be the Keraim, who formerly had settlements at 
 Eupatoria and other cities. It is asserted by some that they are one of 
 the lost tribes : first, because they are called black Jews, in order to 
 distinguish them from the rest of their brethren in Poland ; and, secondly, 
 because they differ from other Jews in following the Torah or law, instead 
 of the Talmud, for their religious guide, and in keeping different fasts. 
 They are the only known Jewish people who cultivate the ground. 
 
 The valley in which their city stands is called Jehosaphat ; but their 
 residence is on the top of a rocky range about two miles from Baktcheserai. 
 
112 
 
 ANTIQUITIES OF KEHTCH. 
 
 Their fortified town was called Phoulli by the ancients ; the citadel being 
 on the heights, where they live like eagles in the clefts of the rocks, 
 which they have hewn into houses. It is a singular circumstance that 
 they should live secluded from the rest of mankind, and have been 
 permitted to do so, amidst the strife of parties, from time immemorial, in 
 the free exercise of their ancient customs. 
 
 Unlike the children of Israel elsewhere, they are clean and neat 
 both in their persons and habits; their honesty is proverbial in the 
 Crimea, and their character is w^ithout reproach. 
 
 There appears to be little doubt that this sect separated from the 
 main stem in the very earliest period of Jewish history. It is a significant 
 fact that their numbers do not increase. There are about two hundred 
 houses in the town occupied by the same number of families, twelve 
 hundred inhabitants in all; and this appears always to have been their 
 population. 
 
 In their Synagogue they have the holy Tabernacle, containing the 
 sacred writings in Hebrew on a roll of parchment; and they say that 
 they have the text in its most genuine state. 
 
 Their little town is called Tchoufont Kaleh, or the fortress of the 
 Jews. A road cut in the rock, and joining that which leads to the 
 southern coast, is the only communication to this singular establishment, 
 which is surrounded by a strong wall, entered by gates which are carefully 
 closed every evening. 
 
 These Keraim Jews have always enjoyed special privileges ; as for 
 instance, immunity from supplying labour for fortifications, mosques, 
 fountains, and other public buildings. They say that these privileges 
 were granted them for services rendered in ancient times to the Khans 
 of the Tartars. But Peyssonel attributes the real origin of them to the 
 services of a Jewish doctor, who having been fortunate enough to cure 
 an Oulukhaneh, or one of the great female dignitaries, as a reward 
 obtained for his countrymen the exemption noticed above. Their dress 
 
THE KERAIM JEWS. 113 
 
 somewhat resembles that of the Tartars, and they use a dialect of the 
 Tartar language to which they give the name Djagaltai. 
 
 Henderson, in his " Biblical Researches in Russia," says that the 
 name Keraim comes from the Hebrew word " Kara," in Scripture ; they 
 are also frequently called " Beni mukra," or sons of the text, and " Bala 
 mukra," masters or possessors of the text. 
 
 With respect to the sect in general it claims a very high antiquity, 
 and seems originally to have been the same with that of the Sadducees, 
 one of the three principal sects which divided the Jewish nation about 
 two hundred years before the birth of our Lord. 
 
 One of the distinguishincr tenets of the Sadducees was their strict 
 adherence to the letter of the law, to the entire exclusion of traditional 
 interpretation ; and some authors of note have conjectured that the errors 
 which that sect taught at the time of our Lord formed no part of the 
 primitive creed, but that it was the adoption of them by Sadek which 
 made the sect divide into Sadducees, and those afterwards called Keraim ; 
 whom Prideaux takes to be the Scribes so frequently mentioned in the 
 New Testament. Keraim Jews are also found in Grand Cairo, and in 
 many of the countries between India and Poland. The principal point of 
 difference between them and the Rabbinical or Pharisaical Jews consists, 
 as has been already shown, in their rejection of the oral law, and their 
 rigid appeal to the text of Scripture as the exclusive and only infallible 
 source and test of religious truth. They, therefore, glory in the name 
 of Karaites, or Scripturists ; an epithet which was at first given them 
 by their enemies. 
 
 The following observations on this most interesting and important 
 subject are compiled from Haxthausen (Etudes xi.) : — 
 
 The Keraim are a sect of Jews about whose origin there are two 
 opinions — one, that they are descendants of the tribe of Judah who never 
 returned from Babylon; the other, that they are descended from the ten 
 tribes. The former is the account they give of themselves. At any 
 
114 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 rate it seems pretty well ascertained that they took no part in the 
 crucifixion of our Lord, and have a certain sort of respect for the prophet 
 Jesus, as being, like themselves, of the tribe of Judah. Their origin 
 dates before the Talmud, which they do not receive, and they say 
 that the descendants of the ten tribes are to be found in China and 
 Eastern Asia : these latter are, no doubt, the chief instigators of the 
 insurrection in China. There are about six thousand of these Keraim 
 in Russia, who are found chiefly in the governments of Cherson, Tauris, 
 Volhynia, Wilna, Kowno, and the Caucasus. In the Crimea they possess 
 large orchards and vineyards, fields and farms. From documents in the 
 possession of the Historical Society at Odessa, it is evident that the 
 Keraim already occupied the Crimea in the eighth century, and had at 
 that time arrived at a high degree of civilization. Among the fifty-one 
 manuscripts which, with fifty-eight inscriptions, are preserved at Odessa, 
 there are several manuscripts of the Bible, and parts of it, the readings 
 of which are said to differ in some important respects from the received 
 versions. 
 
 The Old Testament among the Keraim is arranged differently from 
 the Vulgate, and, as will be conjectured from what has been already 
 said, wants the Apocrypha, but contains the books of Ezra and Nehemiah ; 
 these the Keraim are thought to have obtained from Jerusalem, with 
 which city they kept up a connection after they were carried into 
 captivity. 
 
 Two magnificent manuscripts of the thirteenth century contain, besides 
 the Hebrew text of the books of Moses, the Chaldee version of Onchelus 
 of these same books. This version will, without doubt, throw a light 
 on many difficult passages in the original. A manuscript which was 
 written in Persia in 918, and carried into the Crimea in the twelfth 
 or thirteenth century, contains the books of the later prophets, and 
 deserves to be also carefully examined. Philology and paleography will 
 be equal gainers by the study of all these scientific treasures. They 
 
THE KERAIM JEWS. II5 
 
 furnish a certain proof that Judaism among the Keraim, or Jews in the 
 Crimea, has had a special development in two directions— that of relio-ion 
 
 to 
 
 and social life, the central point of which was not in Palestine or at 
 Babylon— the classic land of Talmudism— but in Persia. It is from this 
 last country that they arrived on the shores of the Black Sea, takino- 
 their course by the Caucasus. In all these manuscripts, in juxtaposition 
 with the text, are found a number of very curious remarks respecting 
 the donor of the manuscript, and the synagogue to which it was given; 
 sometimes also allusions to contemporaneous events. In one of these 
 notes, which dates from the first half of the tenth century, mention is 
 made of the first appearance of the Talmudist Jews in the Crimea, 
 which took place about that time. It is evident from this passage that 
 the Keraim, or Jews of the Crimea, had no previous acquaintance with 
 the Talmud, that no tradition then extant among them mentioned that 
 they had separated themselves from the Talmud, or lived in a state of 
 hostility with it; but that they had always held strictly to the text 
 of the Bible, as their brethren in Central Asia, China, and Thibet 
 yet do. The author expresses, without any feeling of hostility, his 
 astonishment and scruples with regard to the new doctrine (the Talmud), 
 and recommends it to the justice and wisdom of Providence. Here, 
 then, is an irresistible proof that the Keraim of those times, far from 
 considering themselves as a sect which had separated from the rest of 
 the Jews, remained altogether Jews both in their sentiments and character, 
 and, proud of having preserved among themselves the old Jewish religion 
 in all its purity, looked upon the Talmudists as apostates. 
 
 The Tartars can hardly now be said to form a nation. After the 
 conquest of the Crimea by the Eussians, all those who did not wish to 
 remain under the sway of Russia were allowed to emigrate; many availed 
 themselves of the permission, and retired into Turkey, so that their 
 numbers were few, even before the war. Since the conclusion of peace, 
 thousands have voluntarily left the country, to settle in the Turkish 
 
116 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 Bessarabian provinces ; in terror lest they, too, should have shared the 
 fate of hundreds of their friends, who for aiding the Allies during the 
 period the combined armies occupied the Crimea, were sent to Siberia. 
 
 Chagin Girreh Khan was the last sovereign. In 1774, the country 
 was subdued by the Empi'ess Catherine, and he abdicated the throne 
 voluntarily ten years afterwards. In prosecuting my researches, I discovered 
 about a dozen of his coins. 
 
 The town of Yenikali, seven miles from Kertch, is situated on the 
 north-eastern point of the peninsula of the Cimmerian Bosphorus. It 
 was called by the ancients Myrmecium. To the north, and also to the 
 westward of this town, we find the celebrated mud volcanoes, the naphtha 
 and sulphur springs. 
 
 The former have been perpetually in activity for a very long period 
 of time. The principal crater, which seems the patriarch of all this 
 volcanic formation, is a cone completely isolated, of five hundred feet 
 in diameter, and thirty-five in height. Its summit has a depression of 
 six feet, filled by a pond of mud and water, seventy feet long and thirty- 
 five feet wide. There are numerous smaller craters in the same locality, 
 a distance of three or four miles perhaps intervening. 
 
 A cluster of pyramidal-shaped cones on elevated spots, and a total 
 absence of verdure, mark the site of these volcanoes ; a circular basin of 
 water being invariably placed, as it were, close to the cone. The water, 
 being thickly impregnated with plastic mud, is of a glutinous nature ; 
 but there is a continual motion on the surface, and sometimes this is 
 more active than usual. The appearance which the glutinous water at 
 first presents, when in active motion, is that of a sudden shock given 
 to the entire body of fluid, doubtless produced by the emission of the 
 gas from a crater at some unfathomable depth ; then follows a heaving of 
 the liquid at the sides ; the centre then rises, as if some huge animal 
 were about to emerge from the depths below, and, ascending a few feet, 
 bursts with an explosion. There is now a moment of repose ; the 
 
MUD VOLCANOES. 117 
 
 concussion that the water has received causes it to overflow the rim of the 
 basin ; then follows another heave, and the same process is repeated. 
 
 The pyramidal cones of mud are in several stages of antiquity : in 
 every one is a crater, through which thick bituminous mud sluggishly 
 bubbles forth. The site on which each cone stands was doubtless at one 
 time a circular basin of water, which gradually became choked up with mud, 
 and assumed its present conical form. Around these cones are innumerable 
 small apertures in the earth, which exist for a few days or hours ; these 
 becoming choked up, burst out on the sides ; and so it goes on. Much 
 caution is necessary in approaching these mud volcanoes. The superficial 
 crust of the earth, dried and hardened by the heat of the sun, has an 
 appearance of solidity, and tempts one to approach nearer than is prudent. 
 The surface trembles, and on placing the ear close to it, a deep, rumbling 
 commotion is heard in the bowels of the earth, showing that all is not so 
 quiet within as without. 
 
 The mud thrown out is a homogeneous clay, of a cindery blue colour, 
 mixed with particles of mica and sand. The erupted matter is merely 
 warm, not boiling; showing that the heat which expels the gas is not 
 intense. Sometimes this gas bursts into a flame ; a violent commotion 
 follows, and the water boils forth in a huge stream, mixed with stones and 
 calcined mud : the appearance of the ground around corroborates this 
 fact. I applied a match to the gas, but could not get it to ignite ; 
 possibly because the emission of gas was not continuous. 
 
 Mons. Bootmy, already referred to, informed me that on the 27th 
 February, 1794, the inhabitants were alarmed by a succession of loud 
 explosions from these volcanoes ; a prodigious discharge of salt ^^scous 
 mud was vomited forth, flooding the country ; and this was followed by a 
 column of fire rising perpendicularly. The volcanoes on the eastern side 
 of the Straits were similarly affected at the time. 
 
 These sudden eruptions may be accounted for in this manner. The 
 springs of naphtha or petroleum found in this neighbourhood make it not 
 
118 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 improbable that a stratum of coal lies not far below the surface; that it 
 passes across the Bosphorus, and that it is always in a state of ignition. 
 The centre of the action of the volcano is below the sea ; and these 
 openings, like chimneys of the infernal regions, permit the escape of the 
 gas ; the water and mud usually evolved being, perhaps, at no great 
 depth. But on the admission of the water from the sea, the vapour thus 
 generated, or perhaps the decomposition of the water, produces the 
 explosion and the column of fire. 
 
 I have said that it is necessary to approach these saline mud gulfs 
 with caution. But it is not easy for a stranger to discover their position. 
 In company with two friends, we had been in search of them for some 
 days. There are some small springs close to Kertch, on the south ; but 
 we were desirous of seeing those of larger dimensions situated towards 
 the Sea of Azoff, to the north-west. One day, from a height, we 
 observed, at a distance of about two miles before us, ground which 
 appeared to mark out their position ; but it was beyond the line of our 
 piquets, and on that occupied by the Cossack videttes. My friends 
 thought it imprudent to risk the chance of being made prisoners by 
 proceeding so far ; but being well mounted, I ventured to risk it ; and 
 on approaching a little closer, I perceived that it was the exact spot we 
 had been looking for, and galloped up to it. 
 
 Carried away by the novel and very interesting sight, I failed to 
 observe that my horse was placidly descending into the mud; and so 
 gently did he sink, that he did not appear to feel in the slightest degree 
 incommoded, until the mud was well above his fetlocks. He then began 
 to struggle, and became alarmed at the bubbling of the water ; I therefore 
 dismounted, when of course I stuck in the mud also. With much 
 difficulty I extricated the horse, and was sitting on the bank of a stream 
 washing my boots, when I observed a dismounted Cossack on an eminence 
 about a quarter of a mile off. In a few minutes afterwards he was 
 galloping off in an opposite direction to where I sat ; and, watching him, 
 
ANALYSIS OF THE VOLCANIC PRODUCTS. 119 
 
 I perceived he was joined by another. I now saw that I should have 
 to run for it ; and there was some very bad ground before me, soft and 
 cut up with ravines. But being mounted on a strong Irish horse, 
 although a little lame from a wound which he had received at Inkermann, 
 I was soon far beyond the reach of the Cossacks ; who came down to 
 the mud springs in two divisions of three, no doubt fully expecting to 
 catch me there. 
 
 On a previous occasion I cut into one of these cones, and when 
 sufficiently close to the crater tapped it. There was at first a rapid 
 rush of water through the aperture from above; then a sputtering from 
 below. That portion of the cone above the injured part gradually sank 
 into the centre of the crater and disappeared ; the sides fell in, and the 
 mouth of the crater became considerably extended. 
 
 The fluid flowing from these volcanoes is called by the Russians 
 " Neft." Boiled up with sand, it forms an excellent pavement. It smells 
 strongly of sulphuretted hydrogen, and doubtless possesses considerable 
 antiseptic property ; for the carcase of an unfortunate horse that had sunk 
 into it up to the neck in the month of January, probably tempted by the 
 water to approach to drink when the frost had sealed up every other pool, 
 was, in the month of June, to judge from the appearance of the head, as 
 fresh as on the day it went in. 
 
 Specimens of the mud from the volcanoes, and of the naphtha and 
 water from the sulphur springs, were submitted to Mr. Eichter, the 
 analytical chemist, in the laboratory of Messrs. Savory and Moore, and 
 he has favoured me with the following analysis thereof. 
 
 " The naphtha resembles, in its physical properties, Barbaboes tar, 
 impure rock oil, bitumen, or petroleum, products of organic matter (wood, 
 coal, &c.) decomposed either by heat or by spontaneous action under the 
 surface of the earth. Its specific gravity is 0-940. Insoluble in water, 
 sparingly soluble in alcohol, but readily so in aether. It burns with a 
 smoky flame. Subjected to distillation it yielded three different fluids. 
 
120 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 which were acted upon by solvents similar to the above. The residue left 
 was hard and brittle, which, on exposure to heat, was found to resemble 
 asphaltine. 
 
 "The sample of water was of specific gTa\dty 1*011. It was strongly 
 impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen and free carbonic acid. Two 
 ounces evaporated to dryness left the following residue : — 
 
 Chloride of sodium 3-8 grains. 
 
 Carbonate of soda 0*4 ,, 
 
 Sulphate of soda O'G ,, 
 
 Carbonate of lime 0'3 „ 
 
 Chloride of calcium 0*7 ,, 
 
 Carbonic acid not determined. 
 
 Sulphuretted hydrogen ditto. 
 
 5.8 grains. 
 
 " The mud resembles that usually found in places where bitumen 
 exudes from the earth, the principal constituents in it being alumina, 
 with more or less silica, while the soluble consisted of lime, magnesia, 
 soda, and peroxide of iron, in combination with hydrochloric and nitric 
 acids." 
 
 With reference to the geological formation of the Crimea, Mr. William 
 H. Baily, in a paper read before the meeting of the British Association, 
 at Cheltenham, remarks as follows : — 
 
 " The most ancient deposits of the Crimea are those at the base 
 of the Jurassic formation, described as black schists, composed of hard, 
 soft, and ferruginous beds, which are probably equivalent to the trias 
 or new red sandstone appearing in the valley of Baidar and other 
 localities, and on the coast, where they are superimposed by the lias. 
 Overlying the schists of the lias are the Jurassic rocks, which extend 
 along the southern sea coast from Balaklava to the vicinity of Theodosia 
 
GEOLOGICAL SPECIMENS FROM KERTCH. 121 
 
 or Kaffa, a length of about one hundred miles. This mountain chain 
 of hard and crystalline limestones, pierced and broken into by volcanic 
 eruptions, of greenstone, porphjTy, &c. &c., is, with its associated strata, 
 analogous to that of the Caucasus, and proceeds in a direction E.N.E. 
 to S.S.W., its highest point being the Tchatir Dagh or Tent Mountain, 
 of an elevation of 5,135 feet. The bay of Balaklava is enclosed on both 
 sides by steep and rugged rocks of the Jurassic formation, composed of 
 compact red and gray limestones, in which are clefts filled with a reddish 
 clay. These limestones and clays contain numerous organic remains, 
 the most abundant of which are corals and echinodermata. The newer 
 Caspian occupies the still more northern extremity of the Crimea, 
 extending to Perekop, Kherson, and the shores of the sea of Azof. 
 The environs of Kertch and Taman are the most favourable localities to 
 observe its characters, and here the fossils are in good preservation. The 
 existence of coal has been often rumoured ; but on examination the 
 supposed coal has proved to be lignite of very ordinary quality. Deposits 
 of hydrate and phosphate of iron have been met with near Kertch, Taman, 
 and other parts of the Crimea." 
 
 The following letter from the same gentleman gives an interesting 
 description of some geological specimens which I brought from Kertch : — 
 
 Museum of Practical Geology, Jennyn-street, January 16, 1857. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I beg to forward, at Sir Roderick Murchison's request, 
 a short description of the geological specimens and fossil shells collected 
 in the neighbourhood of Kertch, and presented by you to this Institution. 
 
 1. Soft shelly limestone of brackish water origin, mostly composed 
 of fragments, with some perfect valves of cardium and dreissena from the 
 " !Xewer Caspian," belonging to the upper tertiary formation, found in 
 extensive beds on the coast to the south of Kertch, 
 
 2. Sandy limestone made up of finely comminuted shells and quartz 
 grains, containing fossil bivalve shells somewhat perfect but sparingly 
 
122 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 distributed. Upper tertiary. Quarries near Kertch, from which the town 
 is built. 
 
 3. Sandy limestone, probably same as No. 2. (Forming the sides of 
 the great shaft opened at Kertch, May 1856.) 
 
 4. " Eschara limestone," from the so-called " Polype rocks," composed 
 of Eschara lapidosa. Pallas. These rocks, from their fantastic shapes, 
 are called the Throne of Mithridates, and are entirely composed of the 
 remains of bryozoa. (M. Huot, writing on the geology of this country 
 in Demidoff, says it contains two distinct species.) 
 
 5. Impure argillaceous limestone, three feet in thickness, forming the 
 mouth of the great shaft. It rests on a deep bed of white calcareous 
 clay, passing in some places to 5^ clay iron-stone. 
 
 6. Clay iron-stone from mud volcanoes. (From the neighbourhood 
 of the volcanic mud springs.) 
 
 7. Ferruginous limestone : fossiliferous. (From the neighbourhood of 
 the volcanic mud springs.) 
 
 8. Chert. (From the neighbourhood of the volcanic mud springs.) 
 
 List of Fossil Shells. 
 
 Cardium ovatum (Deshayes) 3 specimens. 
 
 ,, paucicostatum 
 
 „ carinatum 
 
 „ macrodon(?) 
 
 „ incertum (?) 
 
 „ Verneuilli (?) 
 Myoconcha aperta (Mytilus) 
 Dreissena inaequivalvis (Mytilus) ,, 
 
 Paludina achahnoides 
 
 Deposits of hydrate and phosphate of iron have been discovered near 
 Kertch, Taman, and other parts of the Crimea. A foundry was formerly 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 55 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 )? 
 
 
 
 
 
 )) 
 
 The interior contains 
 
 
 
 
 )? 
 
 phosphate of iron. 
 
 
 
 
 5> 
 
 
 ilus) 
 
 
 
 )> 
 
 
 [ytilus 
 
 ')„ 
 
 
 )) 
 
 
 
 
 . 1 
 
 n 
 
 
FOSSIL SHELLS IN IRON ORE. 123 
 
 established near Kertch, and the iron worked by M. Gourieff. — (Pallas.) 
 From an analysis of a specimen of this iron ore, containing fossil shells, 
 bv Hussein Effendi, of the Government School of JNIines, Jermj-n-street, 
 it gave but 19'234 per cent. 
 
 These fossil shells are found associated with bands of iron ore in the 
 neighbourhood of Kertch and other parts of the Crimea, the univalves 
 being mostly of fi-esh water origin, associated with peculiar forms of 
 cardiacea and mytili common to partially saline or brackish water. — 
 (Murchison's Eussia, p. 298, &c.) 
 
 With respect to this particular group of shells, they form, according 
 to Mr. Woodward, a distinct set, being included by him in what he 
 designates the Aralo Caspian pro^'inces• — (Woodward's Manual of the 
 Mollusca. Parts 2 and 3.) 
 
 " The only inland salt seas," he says, " that contain peculiar shell 
 fish are the Aral and Caspian. The shells consist chiefly of a 
 remai'kable group of cockles, which burrow in the mud. Species 
 probably existing in these seas have been found in the beds of horizontal 
 limestone, which form their banks and extend in all directions far over 
 the steppes. This limestone is of brackish water origin, being sometimes 
 composed of myriads of cyclades, or the shells of dreissena and cardium, 
 as in the islets near Astrakhan. It is believed to indicate the former 
 existence of a great inland sea, of which the Aral and Caspian are 
 remnants ; but which Mas larger than the present Mediterranean at 
 an age previous to that of the mammoth and Siberian rhinoceros.'" — 
 (Woodward's Manual of Mollusca. Part 3, p. 365.) 
 
 Pallas was the first propounder of the belief in a great inland retired 
 sea. 
 
 Ships proceeding to the Sea of Azofi" are all surveyed at Kertch ; 
 the amount of ballast each convevs is registered, in order that all mav be 
 put on shore at Taganrog, or any other port to which they are bound. 
 
124 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 This is the law. But the system that obtains in Russia enables the 
 Custom-house authorities to evade it in this instance, as they usually do 
 in all other cases. They give the master of the craft a false certificate, 
 receiving a bribe in return ; and as the former approaches his port, the 
 ballast is thrown overboard, and one or two boat-loads only are landed. 
 This circumstance, coupled with the large quantities of earth brought 
 down by the rivers, renders the Sea of Azoff daily more difficult of 
 navigation. It has been remarked, that fi'om the year 1706 to the year 
 1808, the depth of this sea has diminished three feet, and from this 
 latter date to the year 1833, it has again diminished three feet, so that 
 it has lost six feet in 127 years. Guthrie records that a volcanic island 
 suddenly appeared, and as suddenly disappeared in this sea, at some 
 remote date. 
 
 No coal has been discovered in the Crimea; but it is known to exist 
 at Tiflis, and at Heraclea on the Asiatic coast ; and on the Don, anthracite 
 coal, having ninety-four per cent, of carbon, is found in large quantities. 
 This coal is difficult to light ; but when once kindled, it burns with an 
 intense white heat for a long period, and without smoke. Portions of it 
 become fluid just prior to its ignition, and seem like molten lead. I have 
 been informed that it extends for a distance of two thousand miles in the 
 country of the Don Cossacks ; each of whom has a patch, which they 
 work according to their own peculiar fancy. Prior to the war, a company 
 was formed to work these mines. The price of the coal at Kertch, before 
 hostilities broke out, was eleven silver copecks per pood, or equal to 
 twenty-one shillings per ton English. 
 
 The only thing worthy of notice in the modern town of Kertch, is 
 the church. On this spot the temple of Esculapius is said to have 
 stood, in which Strabo records that the priest placed a bronze vase 
 which had burst with the frost, as a proof of the severity of the climate. 
 There are four short marble columns supporting the cupola of the church ; 
 on one of these the date of its erection is shown to have been in the 
 
TDMULI AT PHANAGORIA. 125 
 
 vear of the world 6265, or 757 of our era. The pictures suspended on 
 the walls are the earliest productions of Greek art which came here with 
 the introduction of Christianity, and prove the extent of its propagation 
 at that remote date. The plan of the building is that of a Greek 
 cross, with very short transepts and a cupola rising in the middle ; which 
 lights the centre bv eiofht narrow windows. 
 
 On the opposite side of the straits, at Phanagoria, there are some 
 immense Tumuli, and the ruins of that ancient Greek city can still 
 be traced. On the proclamation of peace. Captain Commerell took the 
 Snake across, in order to receive an English and a French prisoner 
 taken by the Russians in a skirmish near Kertch. The authorities 
 merely permitted us to land ; they would not allow us even to inspect 
 the ruins. They received the despatch of which Captain Commerell was 
 the bearer, with a pair of tongs, pierced it well with needles, kindled a 
 fire and fumigated it. 
 
 There were in ancient times two temples of Venus at Phanagoria, 
 one being dedicated to Venus Apaturia, or the Jilt, from apate, deceit. 
 
 It was this colony, under the government of his son Pharnaces, 
 that first raised the standard of revolt against Mithridates the Great. 
 
 The river Kuban, which derives a portion of its stream from the 
 Sea of AzoflF. returns again to the same sea a little to the eastward of 
 Taman. 
 
 To return to the peninsula of Kertch. Following the south coast, and 
 beyond Akburun, or the White Cape, there is a high cliff. This place 
 in ancient times was covered with vineyards ; the Bay retains its old Greek 
 name of Ambelaki, from Ampelos, a vine. There is a rich mine of 
 phosphated iron and large quantities of fossils here. This cape is called 
 Kamish Burun, or the Blue Cape. A little beyond the iron mine are 
 the ruins of Dia, which occupied the northern point of the entrance 
 of the ancient gulf of Nymphajum. So late as 1830, this was an open 
 port, but now a bar of sand has closed it. The ancient town of the 
 
126 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCII. 
 
 same name stood here. Further southwards the rocks increase in height, 
 and about eight miles from Kertch, we come to masses of ruins surrounded 
 by a wall almost buried in the earth: this may be the T}Tictaca of 
 Ptolemy. The soil for several feet in depth contains quantities of broken 
 pottery. Strabo speaks of an excellent port at Nymphseum; but it is 
 no lonfjer available. Enormous shoals of herring come close to the shore 
 at this place : as many as 50,000 have been taken at a single haul. The 
 Greeks carried on a large commerce in fish with their mother country 
 from this place. 
 
 Nympha3um was founded at the same time as Panticapseum. In 
 the time of Mithridates it was still a strong place. Here he lodged the 
 greater part of his army, which he destined for his grand expedition 
 against the Eomans by way of the Danube and the Alps. After his 
 death the city rapidly decayed, and in the time of Pliny existed only in 
 name. 
 
 Takil Burun, the promontory at the entrance of the Black Sea, 
 where the lighthouse is placed, was probably the site of Akra, mentioned 
 by Strabo. Thirty miles from Kertch, at the place now called Opuk, 
 was the Kimmericum of Strabo. It was a town of great strencrth. The 
 Genoese are supposed to have carried away the remains of the city in 
 order to build Cafia. Kimmericum was not a Milesian city, and there 
 is not a single Tumulus to be seen around it. 
 
 Diluvian fossils, or such as are now found in the sea in their fresh 
 state, are seen in extensive beds along the coast ; but it is a curious fact, 
 that in the mountains the fossil shells discovered are not products of the 
 surrounding seas. 
 
 Game abounds around Kertch. There are duck and teal of every 
 description ; large and small bustard in abundance ; partridges, quails, 
 snipe, woodcocks, and hares of a very large size, are found in great 
 numbers, and are remarkable for their fine flavour. DurinjT his 
 residence in Kertch, Captain Eich, of the 71st Eegiment, Highlanders, 
 
SOIL, VEGETATION, ETC. 127 
 
 made a very beautiful collection of upwards of one hundred varieties of 
 birds. 
 
 The exportable commodities from the Black Sea in ancient times 
 were — com in profusion, meat dried or cured, hides and furs, timber and 
 white slaves. It supplied quantities of honey, which held the place of 
 sugar ; wax, and tarichos, or fish pickled in salt. The fish which 
 predominate are the small tunny, the large spineless sturgeon — for their 
 vertebrae are merely cartilaginous rings — and the delicate caviare. A 
 large portion of the wealth of the people consisted in their fisheries ; 
 and they must have yielded profits exceeding those of agriculture. Other 
 merchandise also found its way to the Euxine from the interior of Asia, 
 and from India by way of the Caspian and the Phasis. Among the 
 articles purchased with these superfluities the principal were wine and oil. 
 
 The soil around Kertch is composed of marl and lime belonging to 
 the new tertiary or diluvian formation. The surface-soil is extremely 
 fertile, and produces rich crops with little trouble. It rests on a bed 
 of calcareous clay or soft limestone, composed of sand and shell compressed 
 into a solid mass. 
 
 There are no trees, and but few shrubs, to be seen ; but the herbaceous 
 vegetation is extremely rich, and it sometimes attains a height of four 
 feet, without any coarseness. This prolific vegetation is very general on 
 the steppes of Southern Kussia, where the " tchorno-zern," or black earth, 
 a deposit of amazing fertility, is found. Sir K. Murchison says it occupies 
 an area of 180 millions of acres in European Russia, and varies from a 
 few feet to fifteen and twenty feet in thickness. Its extreme fertility is 
 attributed to the unusually large quantity of nitrogen which it contains, 
 and its origin is referred to the period when the Russian Continent was 
 still submerged; the tchomo-zem being the mud then at the bottom of 
 the sea. 
 
128 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 The question has often been asked me, What prompted you to com- 
 mence these researches ? and how did you find time to carry tliem on ? 
 To this I reply, that Mr. Vaux, of the British Museum, as well as the 
 late Sir K. Westmacott, urged inquiry. A practical and useful paper 
 of instructions, drawn up by the former gentleman, was placed in my 
 hands ; and although my official avocations abundantly occupied my time, 
 I was ably assisted by the kind friends referred to in the preface and 
 elsewhere ; without whose aid I could not have succeeded. 
 
 Those only who have had experience in similar explorations can form 
 an idea of the toil and labour necessary in the prosecution of researches 
 of this description. Like the gold-digger, it is quite a lottery : to one 
 prize there is fully a score of blanks. 
 
 To prosecute investigations of this sort, one should be alone with his 
 workmen. There are many, doubtless, in the army who take an interest 
 in archaeological researches ; but there are others who laugh at the science. 
 The workmen not unfrequently turned up iron nails, black bottles, broken 
 plates, &c., which had been neatly introduced into the excavations. 
 
 Fabulous sums were given for antiquities of every description, and the 
 honesty of the workmen was sorely put to the test ; and although it was 
 well known that I prosecuted inquiries with the view to add my mite to 
 our noble collection in the British Museum, I was sometimes obliged to 
 have recourse to the same system of outbidding the highest bidder, in 
 order to secure the results of my own labours. 
 
 But we suffered most from the peculations of the Tartars. They 
 systematically robbed us, and have been caught actually at work with pick 
 and spade in our holes after we had left for the night. On one occasion, 
 
CONCLUSION. 129 
 
 on removinfT the stone in the morning and entering a tomb which we 
 were unable to explore the evening previously, we found that everything 
 had been removed. The end of a tallow candle and some lucifer-matches 
 were left as relics, clearly showing that the Tartars had paid a visit to 
 the place at night, and, after removing everything, had replaced the stone 
 at the door. A ready and lucrative sale for all articles of antiquity 
 was always to be had. 
 
 The task which I have attempted to perform would worthily occupy 
 undivided attention, profound scholarship, and archaeological skill. Without 
 these, but with the weighty responsibility of superintending the health of 
 an army in a hostile country, I hope that in promptly meeting the emergency 
 under such circumstances, and in subsequently bringing my labours to this 
 issue, while preparing to return to India, the learned critic will find a 
 motive for regarding any defects with an indulgent eye. 
 
 When the alternative lies between doing nothing or doing one's best — 
 
 " The native hue of resolution 
 Is sicklied o'er -with the pale cast of thought, 
 And enterprises of great pith and moment 
 With this regard, their currents turn awry, 
 And lose the name of action." 
 
 Let these words of our great dramatist be my apology. 
 
 Of this, I feel satisfied ; that as a better acquaintance with the 
 shores of the Black Sea led the ancients to change its name from the 
 Axine or inhospitable, to that of the Euxine or hospitable, so will the 
 moderns look upon its present designation as totally inapplicable, considering 
 the flood of light which the diligent research of the antiquary, and the 
 revival of commerce on its coasts, may yet cause it to reflect. 
 
 None of the countries on the Black Sea are more remarkable than 
 the Crimea. Its unexampled chain of historical associations, marking the 
 
130 ANTIQUITIES OF KERTCH. 
 
 successive influence of the Median, Grecian, Koman, Tartar, Italian, 
 Ottoman, and Russian sway — its ancient and mediaeval remains — its inter- 
 esting geographical, geological, ethnological, and climatic peculiarities, too 
 various to specify in a farewell paragraph — are so many assurances that 
 the interest which has been excited by conflict will not be allowed to 
 slumber in peace ; but will rather be amply satisfied by those whose 
 pursuits are more intimately associated than mine with such investigations. 
 
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 Third Edition Svo, price One Shilling, 
 
 MODERN PAINTERS, VOL. IV. 
 
 ON MOUNTAIN BEAUTY. 
 Imperial Svo, with 35 Illustrations engraved on Steel, and 116 Woodcuts, drawn by the author, price 21. 10s. cloth . 
 
 in. 
 
 MODERN PAINTERS, VOL. III. 
 
 OF MANY THINGS. 
 
 With 18 Illustrations drawn by the author, and engraved on Steel, price 38s. cloth. 
 
 MODERN PAINTERS. 
 
 Imperial Svo. Vol. I. Fifth Edition, 18s. cloth.— Vol. II. Fourth Edition, 10s. 6d. cloth. 
 
 THE stones" OF VENICE. 
 
 jVoKi complete in Three Volumes, Imperial Svo, with 53 Plates and mmerous Woodcuts drawn by the author. 
 Price 5l. 15s. 6(/., in embossed cloth, with top edge gilt. 
 
 E-iCH VOLUJtE SLA.T BE HAD SEP.\R.A.TELY, VIZ. : 
 
 VOL T— THE rOUNDATIONS, with 21 Plates, price 21. 2s. 
 VOL. II.— THE SEA STOKLES, with 20 Plates, price 2/. 2s. 
 VOL. IlL— THE FALL, with 12 Plates, price 1/. lis. 6d. 
 
 THE SEVEN LAMPs'oF ARCHITECTURE. 
 
 Second Edition, with U Plates drawn by the author. Imperial Svo, U. Is. cloth. 
 
 vn. 
 
 LECTURES ON ARCHITECTURE AND PAINTING. 
 
 With 14 Cuts drawn by the author. Second Edition. Crown Svo, price 8s. 6d. cloth. 
 
 vrn. 
 
 EXAMPLES OF THE ARCHITECTURE OF VENICE. 
 
 SELECTED AND DRAWN TO MEASUREMENT FROM THE EDIFICES. 
 
 In Parts of Folio Imperial size, each containing 5 Plates, and a short Explanatory Text, price ll. Is. each. 
 
 PARTS I. TO m. AEE PUBLISHED. 
 Fifty India Proofs onlt are takes on Atlas Folio, price 2l. 2s. each Part. 
 

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