Melek-Chesme kurghan, Ancient beehive tomb in Kerch, Ukraine.
Melek-Chesme kurgan is an ancient burial mound in Kerch featuring a central burial chamber about 3.7 meters in length and width, topped by an earthen mound roughly 12 meters high and about 63 meters in diameter. The structure is accessed through an entrance passage roughly 37 meters long with a corbelled vault made from yellowish limestone blocks.
The burial mound was constructed in the 4th century BC during the Bosporan Kingdom period and was discovered in 1857. After excavation, it was reconstructed and opened to visitors in 1871.
The burial chamber displays early Christian symbols carved into its walls, revealing how the site served as a sanctuary for religious practices over time. These carvings show how different faiths coexisted in the region across different periods.
The site is located near a bus station on Haidara Street in Kerch and is relatively easy to reach. An attached lapidarium displays archaeological finds such as stone pedestals, grave stelae, and sarcophagi, giving you a sense of burial practices from the time.
The entrance passage was built from yellowish limestone with specially prepared floor materials, showing how carefully the construction was planned. Such technical details are rarely preserved so completely, offering insight into ancient building methods.
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