Kulchuk settlement in Chernomorskoye and how to visit

What to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting

The settlement or fortress of Kulchuk, also known as the Red Hill, is an archaeological site in the north-east of Crimea, ruins and a site of excavations of a Greek-Scythian fortress and a city supposedly called Tamirak. This is one of the largest settlements in this part of the Crimea, and it is also one of the least explored. Its study continues today, for which archaeological expeditions work here periodically, which still find unique finds here, which give more and more information about this place and become objects of museums. The settlement is an object of cultural heritage of the peoples of the Russian Federation. When visiting, keep everything intact, do not destroy or take anything away from here.

We will not say that this is some kind of "top" place to visit in the Crimea, and it is unlikely that you should come here specifically from other parts of the peninsula. But if you rest somewhere nearby and on your own transport, then it is quite possible to get there to walk around the territory and inspect the ruins. It is especially convenient to come here from Chernomorskoye, Mezhvodnoye, Olenevka or Yevpatoria. But don't expect too much from this walk either: it's just a pile of ancient stones laid out in the form of walls and foundations, without any information. If you are lucky, and an archaeological expedition will work here during your visit, then one of the archaeologists can conduct a tour of the ruins, but it is almost impossible to find out in advance the time of the expeditions.

Also near the settlement in the bay there is a long sandy beach, where tourists with tents like to come on vacation. In high season, a whole tent city of outdoor enthusiasts appears here. Accommodation here is free, but there are no amenities, not even water. If you decide to relax here, you'll have to bring everything with you. And do not forget to take all the garbage with you at the end.

Research and history of the settlement

Scientists, archaeologists and historians, studying the ancient layers of the earth in the settlement of Kulchuk, came to the conclusion that the first settlement on the Red Hill most likely appeared around the IV century BC!!! At that time, the coastal lands of the Northwestern Crimea, including the city of Kerkinitida (this is an ancient city on the site of modern Yevpatoria), became part of the Chersonese state. Thanks to the protection of a powerful city-state, the locals were no longer afraid of nomad raids, and these lands began to develop actively. Many people began to settle here, divide fertile plots and engage in agriculture. The Chersonese people built dozens of new settlements, including fortified estates where people grew grain, grapes and raised cattle. The main riches of the region were bread and wine, which were sold to Chersonesos and Kerkinitida, and from there sent to other Greek cities. Due to this, at the end of the IV–III centuries BC, the Northwestern Crimea became the main supplier of food for the Chersonese state.

In those days, the sea routes were the most convenient and safest for trade. Therefore, Greek colony cities were usually built on the coast. When these cities became large, they began to develop agricultural areas around them. Chersonesos acted the same way: its inhabitants founded many settlements, where they built fortifications, divided the land, planted vineyards and orchards. One of these settlements was Kulchuk.

The first archaeological excavations on the coast of Tarkhankut in 1929 made it possible to find many ancient objects that helped determine when this settlement appeared. For example, fragments of Greek vessels have been found, which were used in the V–IV centuries BC. These findings became the basis for the assumption that the settlement arose at this time.