In the midst of constructing defensive lines in southern Ukraine, soldiers from the 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade made a remarkable find: an ancient burial site dating to the 6th–5th centuries BCE.
The discovery began when an excavator operator uncovered a small clay vessel, later identified as an Ionian amphora, traditionally associated with burial rituals in the ancient Greek world.
According to a statement from the brigade, the soldier turned to a fellow serviceman with a passion for history. The two decided to transfer the artifact to the Staroflotski Kazarmy Museum in Mykolaiv, where experts confirmed its origin and ceremonial significance.
Photo: 123 бригада тероборони ЗСУ / Facebook
More Artifacts — and Human Remains
Further investigation of the site revealed another important object: an oinochoe, a three-spouted Greek jug typically used during symposiums—ritual wine-drinking gatherings in ancient Greece.
Both the amphora and the oinochoe were found in excellent condition, suggesting they had been deliberately placed as part of a burial rite.
Skeletal remains were also uncovered at the site and have been handed over to museum specialists for further analysis. Archaeologists believe the findings offer new insights into the burial customs and cultural influences that once shaped the region, which was historically part of various trade and migration routes.
The accidental unearthing has prompted additional research and preservation efforts. Archaeologists are now conducting a more detailed survey of the area to determine the extent of the burial site and to safeguard any other historical remains.
