Pages: 139-151

The article addresses an underground vault, investigated in 2000 during the excavation of VIR necropolis (Belbek III). The vault contained at least three burials, all of them robbed in antiquity. Archaeological material is represented by metalware (a dagger, two knives, horse bits), red pottery (kantharoi, jugs) and handmade vessels. A special vessel among them is a handmade vessel with three handles, which is likely to be a local imitation of Chernyakhov wheel-made pottery. This complex is complemented by glass ware, beads and amber pendants. The majority of the finds are dated to the 4th century AD (the third quarter — early fourth quarter of the century), but perhaps, the first burial in the tomb was made in the late 3rd century AD. The construction of the vault and the finds enable us to relate it and this part of the necropolis to an archaeological group of Ozernoye-Inkerman type (“Inkerman culture”).

Keywords: South-Western Crimea, Belbek III cemetery, 4th century AD, vault, grave goods, pottery, chronology.

Information about authors:

Andrey Philipenko (Sevastopol, Crimea). The State Museum-Preserve “Tauric Chersonese”. Drevnyaya St., 1, Sevastopol, 299045, Crimea
E-mail: [email protected]
Maksym Tiurin (Sevastopol, Crimea). The State Museum-Preserve “Tauric Chersonese”. Drevnyaya St., 1, Sevastopol, 299045, Crimea
E-mail: [email protected]
Sergey Ushakov (Sevastopol, Crimea). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute of Archaeology of the Crimea. Academician Vernadsky Ave., 2, Simferopol, 295007, Crimea
E-mail: [email protected]