Polish Archaeological Mission „Tyritake”

National Museum in Warsaw

Professor Glib Ivakin

Polish Archaeological Mission „Tyritake” – a new step in the Ukrainian-Polish scientific relations Several joint Ukrainian-Polish archaeological expeditions were conducted by successful researches on the territory of . They have studied monuments of Bronze Age, Scythian times, Antiquity, and . Particularly successful works are conducted in (). In 2008 Polish researchers set to work in Bospor archaeological expedition (led by V. Zin'ko), whose research focuses on an ancient settlement of Tyritake at Cimmerian Bosporus. They have a big part in the implementation of the scientific program “Bosporus site Tiritake”. Five years of work on this ancient monument showed a high level of work performance of Polish scientists. They have successfully cooperated with Ukrainian colleagues in all aspects of the research. It is important to acknowledge, that Polish archaeologists not only conduct excavations, but also carry out conservation work and museumification of the site and Christian basilica of VI century AD. The Polish-Ukraine scientific collaboration in archaeology has entered a new level after signing the agreement between the National Museum in Warsaw and the Institute of Archaeology of The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The agreement signed in Warsaw on June 6, 2012 relates to the Polish Archaeological Mission (scientific leader being the Chief Curator of the Collection of Ancient and East Christian Art of NMW, Doctor Alfred Twardecki) participating in systematic excavations of Tiritake. Foreign Offices and Ministries of Culture of both countries coordinated and supported this action. The Minister of Culture AR Crimea Olena Plakida was one of the signatories. The thing that must be underlined is that this is the first foreign archaeological mission operating in Ukraine. Work of the Polish archaeologists in the Kerch peninsula in Crimea took on a more meaningful, official status.