Ancient horse-riding warrior found buried alongside his wife and three children in 1,500-year-old Russian crypt
Researchers found the burial in Phanagoria in the Krasnodar Krai region
Riding stirrups and spurs were found alongside the man believed to be a warrior
They claim he was a mounted member of the army due to stirrups found nearby
The depth of the burial as well as valuables suggest the family's wealthy status
By TIM COLLINS FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 13:58 BST, 28 August 2019 | UPDATED: 14:08 BST, 28 August 2019

An ancient warrior from a noble family has been found buried alongside his wife and three children in a 1,500-year-old Russian crypt.

Researchers from the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences found the burial in Phanagoria in the country's Krasnodar Krai region.

Riding stirrups and spurs found alongside the man, who was equipped with a belt for carrying a sword, suggest he was a mounted member of the army.

Experts believe the family may have died from the plague or were butchered by Nomadic tribes.


An ancient warrior from a noble family has been found buried alongside his wife and three children in a 1,500-year-old Russian crypt

Researchers say that the depth of the burial - 16 feet (five metres) underground - as well as valuables found alongside them, suggest their wealthy status.

'Judging by what we have found here the man was served the city's army,' Aleksei Voroshilov, head of the Necropolis division at the Phanagoria archaeological dig, told Russian news site Ruptly.

'He was a horseman, because we found riding stirrups and spurs too. There is also a leather harness attached to a belt which was used to carry a sword.

'The buckles on the harness are really worn-out which means this warrior has seen a lot of fighting. He was unsheathing and sheathing his sword again and again.'


Riding stirrups and spurs found alongside the man, who was equipped with a belt for a carrying a sword, suggest he was a mounted member of the army


Experts believe the family may have died from the plague or were butchered by Nomadic tribes


Researchers say that the depth of the burial - 16 feet (five metres) underground - as well as valuables found alongside them, suggest their wealthy status

Around 250 people took part in this year’s archaeological dig at Phanagoria, including student volunteers and experts from France and Bulgaria.

Several other artefacts have been found, both in the Phanagoria and in flooded parts of the ancient city.

Researchers say the finds are of interest to scientists globally, as they are unique in the world.

'This year we have discovered very accurate and strong evidence that Christianity was founded in Phanagoria in the fifth century, which is a marble tabletop, which could be used as an altar in a church.

'We have discovered a marble baptistery for infants or probably for toddlers as well. It is not very big, nevertheless it is massive and made from marble.'

'One of our underwater expeditions discovered a ship some time ago, which was sunk following the uprising in Phanagoria against Mithridates VI of Pontus which occurred exactly in 62 BC.

'This ship is one of the most ancient ones ever found in the world.'


Researchers from the from the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences found the burial in Phanagoria in the country's Krasnodar Krai region


Several other artefacts have been found, both in the Phanagoria and in flooded parts of the ancient city


Judging by what we have found here the man was served the city's army,' Aleksei Voroshilov, head of the Necropolis division at the Phanagoria archaeological dig said


The buckles on the harness are really worn-out which means this warrior has seen a lot of fighting. He was unsheathing and sheathing his sword again and again,' Mr Voroshilov added


Around 250 people took part in this year’s archaeological dig at Phanagoria, including student volunteers and experts from France and Bulgaria.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE ANCIENT CITY OF PHANAGORIA?

Phangoria, as it was known to the Ancient Greeks, was the capital of the Bosporan Kingdom, around 2,000 years ago.

It was an important centre of trade between the southern Caucasus and the Maeotian Marshes.

The city is situated between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, on Russian soil.

It remained a thriving area of commerce for 1,500 years up until the 10th century AD, when an invasion by tribes of The Rus - who lent their name to the modern area of Russia - led to the city’s downfall.

It was later found in the 18th century, when archaeologists discovered the bases of statues with dedications to the Ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite .

A large area of the city remains underwater, and archaeologists continue to explore its submerged secrets.

The submerged city is said to contain the oldest known acropolis discovered in modern day Russia.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...ian-crypt.html