Archaeological Discoveries Challenge Historical Narratives of Odesa's Founding
Andriy Krasnozhon, a Ph.D. in History and archaeologist, has presented findings from excavations on Primorsky Boulevard in Odesa that challenge the long-held belief that Catherine II founded the city from scratch. The archaeological evidence, including architectural remains from various eras, indicates a continuous history of human activity at the site. Discoveries range from ancient Greek settlements to Ottoman-era fortifications, specifically the Khadzhibey Castle, and cultural layers from the medieval Italian trading post of Genestra. Krasnozhon emphasizes that the main discovery is not just the structures themselves, but their archaeological context, which provides scientific evidence for dating and understanding the site's history. For instance, the Ottoman fortification was identified through structural features of its substructure and associated finds like 18th-century flintlock musket flints and flattened lead bullets, indicating a siege. The stones used in the Ottoman castle were found to be repur... 
