Odesa region

Odesa region, Kiliysky district, Bile village, water area o. Zmiiny, 0.5 km northwest of the island

Historical monument of local significance

третя чверть IV ст. до н.е.

Ancient period by the end of XVII centuries

object(s)

mixed materials

technical or industrial ready-made object(s)

synthesis

Ukrainian statehood from the IX to the XVIII centuries

exists

Odesa City Council

Monument of archaeology, history Order dated April 18, 2017 No. 323 985. Among the most valuable artefacts found under water in Ukraine today is the only well-preserved ancient merchant ship - "Snake Patroclus", which was discovered by the team of Oleksandr Tereshchenko from the Odesa club "Navareks". In 2011, the scientific world became a sensation: an antique merchant sailboat 24 m long and 8 m wide was found. The ship "Snake Patroclus" (that's how the find was named) became a real gem among other sunken objects of the island. What is unique about this find? "In world practice, three objects of the 4th century BC have been discovered," explains Oleksiy Ivlev, a member of the "Navarex" expedition. "But, unfortunately, they have been heavily looted and do not give a complete picture of ancient maritime trade." The uniqueness of the found sailing vessel is its excellent condition for vessels of that period: no analogues of the "Snake-Patroclus" object in terms of the degree of preservation have been found in the world." The contents of the artifact were also well preserved - all kinds of ship utensils, galley equipment, black lacquer dishes for sale and about a thousand amphorae. Raising, preserving and exhibiting "Patroclus" requires huge funds, so the ship is still resting on the bottom of the sea. And its location is strictly classified - to avoid looting by black archaeologists.