Little-known underground chambers have been found in the capital, which could become a sensational archaeological discovery
This is reported by Київ24
Kyiv heritage protector Dmytro Perov, upon learning about plans to develop one of the capital’s sites in 2022, set out with colleagues to search for mysterious caves and stumbled upon a unique underground object.
How the Underground Chambers Were Discovered and Their History
Perov shared that the discovery of the cave was a matter of chance: when part of the end wall of an old estate collapsed, it revealed an entrance to the underground chambers that had been closed for decades. The building containing the entrance belonged to Perov’s great-grandmother and was constructed in 1898.
“My grandmother’s grandmother, that is, my great-grandmother, was the owner of this building. It was built back in 1898. Why was it an urban legend? Because the end wall of the building effectively concealed the entrance to the cave. Over time, the end part of the estate began to crumble, and when this wall partially collapsed — the entrance to the cave that had remained closed all these years was revealed,” said Perov.
To date, only part of the cave, which stretches for 38 meters, has been explored. A separate room has been discovered in the underground chambers, which likely served as a storage space. According to the activist, archaeologists have found rare animistic images of animals and ancient graffiti in these caves.
Unique Discoveries and Historical Significance
Experts believe that the discovered images may belong to the so-called “Varangian” period, but a “pre-Rus” layer from the 5th to 4th century BC cannot be ruled out. Such a complex of artifacts is exceptional for Kyiv’s underground and may open new chapters in the history of the capital.
Despite the historical significance of the cave, the site currently remains under threat due to development and insufficient protection from local cultural heritage authorities.