Chersonesos — Quarantine Bay Central Submerged Mole
Χερσόνησος · Chersonesos Central Harbour Mole · Quarantine Bay Mole
Classical to Byzantine (5th c. BCE – 1400 CE)·Herakleian Greek / Bosporan / Byzantine·🇺🇦 Crimea, Sevastopol, Chersonesos Taurica Quarantine Bay central basin, Ukraine
About
About Chersonesos — Quarantine Bay Central Submerged Mole
Central mole of Chersonesos Taurica's Quarantine Bay harbour, a 65-m limestone mole at 2–5 m depth dividing the bay into eastern naval and western mercantile basins. The mole's ashlar outer face (Herakleian Doric, c. 4th c. BCE) and rubble core are exposed after 2018 Sevastopol marine survey removed illegal fill. Behind the mole, a submerged paved quay and tower foundation (Tower 19) align with the onshore western defensive wall. 370–340 BCE (foundation deposit of Chersonesan amphora).
1 m since antiquity submerged the mole's crest, which Strabo still described as drying at low tide. 2 ha). Finds include Heraklean coins and imported Attic pottery, confirming Chersonesos as grain export hub for Herakleia Pontica.
Why it mattersPart of UNESCO World Heritage 1411; only Black Sea Greek city with bipartite harbour preserved underwater; Herakleian harbour technology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Whether mole originally linked to tower chain for harbour defence
- 02Grain volume exported via mole basins
Theories
- 01Mole divided naval (east) vs agoran (west) basins per Hippodamian harbour zoning
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.370–340 BCE (Classical mole with foundation deposit)
- Period
- Classical to Byzantine (5th c. BCE – 1400 CE)
- Culture
- Herakleian Greek / Bosporan / Byzantine
- Builders
- Herakleia Pontica colonists
- Purpose
- Division mole for naval vs mercantile basins; grain export harbour
- Abandoned
- 1400 CE Ottoman? gradual; submerged from 500 CE onward
- Rediscovered
- 19th c. excavation; underwater mapping 2018
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.422 BCE
Chersonesos founded by Herakleians
c.370 BCE
Central mole built with amphora foundation deposit
c.100 CE
Roman reconstruction of tower behind mole
2018
Sevastopol marine survey maps 65 m mole after fill removal
On the ground
Structures & features
44.6105° N · 33.4918° E · -3 m · 4 mapped features
Central Ashlar Mole
harbour65 m ashlar mole with Doric facing at 3 m depth
44.6106° N · 33.4919° ESubmerged Quay Behind Mole
quayPaved quay 40 m long behind mole with amphora deposit
44.6108° N · 33.4915° ETower 19 Foundation
fortification6 × 6 m tower foundation aligned with defensive wall, now 2 m deep
44.6104° N · 33.4921° EAmphora Foundation Deposit
depositChersonesan amphora group sealing mole construction c.370 BCE
44.6105° N · 33.4917° E