Kepoi — Central Ashlar Quay in Taman Gulf (Mid-Bay)
Cepoi Central Harbour · Kepoi Middle Bay Quay · Aphrodite Central
Archaic to Late Antique (600 BCE – 400 CE)·Milesian Greek / Bosporan·🇷🇺 Russia, Krasnodar Krai, Taman Peninsula, Taman Gulf mid-bay north of Phanagoria, Russia
About
About Kepoi — Central Ashlar Quay in Taman Gulf (Mid-Bay)
Central ashlar quay of Kepoi, the Milesian colony opposite Phanagoria across Taman Gulf, now 1–3 m submerged in mid-bay silts. Distinct from the southern necropolis and the Taman-tip Kepoi already in database, this central sector preserves 100 m ashlar quay at –2 m, Aphrodite sanctuary terrace at –1 m and fish-salting vat cluster mapped 2015 Taman Expedition diving. Founded by Milesians c. 580 BCE, Kepoi was Aphrodite cult centre until 3rd c. CE Bosporan abandonment. Harbour silts seal 1st c. CE Bosporan tile stamps under Khazar sand. Central quay served cross-gulf ferry to Phanagoria.
Why it mattersCentral quay proves tripartite Kepoi harbour (south necropolis, central, north cove); Aphrodite terrace votives calibrate Bosporan cult chronology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Whether Aphrodite terrace is temple or votive dump
- 02Attribution of fish vats to 2nd c. CE Sarmatian intensification?
Theories
- 01Cross-gulf stone ferry quay moved with shoreline as Bay drowned
- 02Salting vats abandonment records 3rd c. Bosporan grain collapse
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. 580 BCE Milesian foundation; central quay late 6th c. BCE
- Period
- Archaic to Late Antique (600 BCE – 400 CE)
- Culture
- Milesian Greek / Bosporan
- Purpose
- Bosporan harbour and anchorage — grain, fish-salting and cabotage port
- Abandoned
- 3rd c. CE Bosporan crisis and transgression
- Rediscovered
- 19th c. antiquarian; modern diving 2010s
- Excavation
- Submerged
c. 580 BCE
Milesians found Kepoi opposite Phanagoria
late 6th c. BCE
100 m central ashlar quay and Aphrodite terrace
2015
Taman Expedition diving maps central quay at –2 m
On the ground
Structures & features
45.2950° N · 36.9850° E · -2 m · 3 mapped features
Central Ashlar Quay (100 m)
quay100 m central ashlar quay at –2 m mid-gulf
45.2955° N · 36.9855° EAphrodite Sanctuary Terrace
sanctuaryAphrodite votive terrace 40×30 m at –1 m with figurine scatter
45.2950° N · 36.9860° EFish-Salting Vat Cluster
vats6 vats in two rows at –1.8 m sealed by Khazar sand
45.2945° N · 36.9845° E