Archaeologists demand to stop construction of cathedral in Volgograd

In the centre of Volgograd, archaeological research should be carried out at the place of the construction of the cathedral. This opinion was expressed by members of the Volgograd Society for Protection of Monuments of History and Culture. They have appealed to the Prosecutor's Office with the demand to stop the construction.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 18, builders suspended the excavation work for the construction of the future cathedral of Alexander Nevsky after they had pulled to the surface fragments of bones and potteries. On the other day, the construction works were resumed.

At the construction site, builders "found artefacts that may relate to the end of the 19th century," reports archaeologist Evgeny Kruglov, Secretary of the Volgograd Society for Protection of Monuments of History and Culture. Meanwhile, according to him, it is unknown how many archaeological findings have been destroyed by the builders.

According to the Law "On objects of cultural heritage (monuments of history and culture) of the peoples of the Russian Federation", the developers "were to attract archaeologists to conduct the necessary investigations on the place of the foundation," Evgeny Kruglov believes.

Anatoly Malchenko, Director of the Regional Scientific and Production Centre for the Protection of Monuments of History and Culture, has noted that there is an agreement on the supervision, concluded with Open Joint-Stock Company (OJSC) "Privolzhsktransstroy", the main contractor, and under the above agreement, archaeologists will monitor the progress of excavation works at the construction site.

Anatoly Malchenko has expressed his concern that "the construction of the cathedral may turn into a long-term construction, which may badly affect the appearance of the city."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.