Part of an offering table found in the Temple of Zeus in Crimea

During excavations at the Temple of Zeus in Crimea, Russian archaeologists discovered a marble slab that was part of an offering table.

According to the Novosti Agency, the discovery was made on the territory of the ancient Artesian settlement, where the previously discovered Temple of Zeus Genarkh is located. It was built during the Bosporus Kingdom in the era of King Pharnaces II (1st century BC).

“It seems to complement the corner slab we found in 2021. This is part of an offering table, and the slab has raised decorations with pearls that extend along the facade, highlighting these features,” said Professor Nikolai Vinokurov, Doctor of Historical Sciences and head of the archaeological mission.

According to the professor, the slab found was carved from strong, completely white and very pure marble. Such discoveries are rare, but similar slabs have been found by archaeologists on the Greek island of Paros.

"It is not clear whether it was made there or brought here for the first time and dug here," Vinokourov said.

Archaeologists also discovered several parts of the tablet, which will be sent with it for restoration. Experts hope that the offering table will be reassembled in its original form from the remaining parts.

According to experts, the weight of the corner slab is 300 kilograms, but the marble has not yet been cleaned of the salts that have settled on it over the centuries. The table was used for offering sacrifices, and scientists do not rule out that human sacrifices were also presented to Zeus.

Over the centuries, the artifact has lost its original color. Scientists believe the offering table was painted in different colors, but chemical analysis may help determine what dyes were used in ancient times and restore the colors.