Police draw attention to destruction of ancient cemeteries in KBR

In the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), after a statement of a regional ethnographer about the plundering of ancient burials by "black diggers" in the vicinity of the village of Atazhukino, a group was set up to investigate the incident. The ethnographer believes that local game wardens and inspectors should be in charge of guarding the burials, while local residents should be explained the importance of burials for studying history.

The robbers have opened the graves, took out the grave goods, and covered the bones with soil, Victor Kotlyarov, a local historian, has explained, adding that dozens of graves were opened.

The destruction of graves took place in all centuries, but in our time it has acquired a large-scale character, Mr Kotlyarov has noted.

A total of 377 archaeological sites have been recorded in the KBR, mainly burial grounds, crypts and burial mounds. According to Kotlyarov, by the time information about the destruction of ancient burials reaches the police, the burials have already been plundered.

"This happened with the unique necropolis "3rd Zayukovo Burial Ground ", which had made it possible to take a fresh look at the history not only of Northern Caucasus, but also of Europe," Victor Kotlyarov has noted.