ARCHAEOLOGIST IN PRISON FOR HIS PROFESSIONAL WORK

Alexander Butyagin
What happened Context
THE CASE
Alexander Butyagin, a senior archaeologist and head of the Northern Black Sea archaeology division at the Russian State Hermitage Museum is being held in a pretrial detention center in Poland while Ukraine seeks his extradition. Prosecutors accuse him of damaging a cultural heritage site during excavations at the ancient Greek city of Myrmekion in Kerch, Crimea.

Butyagin has led excavations at Myrmekion since 1999. For more than 25 years, he conducted systematic research in line with established professional standards, focused on documentation and preservation.

Ukrainian authorities allege that beginning in 2014 he damaged a protected archaeological site and unlawfully removed cultural artifacts, estimating the damage at approximately €4.75 million. They are seeking his extradition under Part 4 of Article 298 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, which concerns the destruction of a cultural heritage monument of national importance with the aim of searching for movable archaeological objects.
All artifacts recovered during the Myrmekion expedition — from 1999 through 2025 — were transferred to and remain in the custody of the Kerch Archaeological Museum in Crimea. Over more than two decades, the expedition uncovered coin hoards, marble sculptures, and numerous other significant finds that now form part of a public museum collection.
The charges formally carry a sentence of up to five years in prison. Legal experts warn, however, that in the current political climate the real consequences could be far more serious. The defense maintains that Butyagin would not receive a fair trial in Ukraine and that transfer to a Ukrainian pretrial detention facility would pose serious risks to his safety and health.

Right now, Butyagin has spent two months in a three-person cell. He is allowed outside for one hour a day in the prison yard. For this entire time, he was denied even access to books; permission came only last week. He has no access to news or the internet and has not yet had a single phone call with his family.

We call on independent observers, academic institutions, and human rights organizations to ensure that the proceedings remain transparent and to assess the conditions of detention.
Article by etruscantimes.com
Read the artiсle
Open letter
In Italian (original)
Learn more
Open letter
Translation into English
Learn more
WHO IS ALEXANDER BUTYAGIN
Academic Standing and Credentials

Alexander Butyagin (born 1971) is a leading classical archaeologist of international standing. He currently serves as Head of the Sector of Archaeology of the Northern Black Sea Region within the Department of the Ancient World at the State Hermitage Museum, one of the world’s foremost cultural and research institutions. A graduate of Saint Petersburg State University, Dr. Butyagin has dedicated more than thirty years to archaeological research, fieldwork, and scholarly activity.
Professional Responsibilities and Recognition

Beyond his primary role as excavation director, Butyagin serves in several positions of scholarly leadership:

  • Head of the Sector of Archaeology of the Northern Black Sea Region, State Hermitage Museum (since 2005)
  • Executive Secretary of the Archaeological Commission, State Hermitage Museum
  • Member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM)
  • Lecturer at the Department of Archaeology, Saint Petersburg State University (since 2003)
  • Instructor at the Educational Centre of the State Hermitage Museum (since 1995)
These appointments attest to the high level of professional trust and respect he enjoys both nationally and internationally.
Scholarly Publications and International Recognition

Dr. Butyagin is the author of more than 150 scholarly publications in peer-reviewed academic journals. He has presented his research at numerous Russian and international conferences, making a substantial contribution to the study of the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. His scholarly interests include classical archaeology, the Bosporan Kingdom, and archaeological methodology, and his work is widely recognized within the international academic community
The list of scholarly Publications
Butyagin's scholarly work on Myrmekion and related topics includes:

MAJOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES
The Myrmekion expedition under Butyagin’s leadership has uncovered numerous significant finds spanning multiple historical periods, from the Archaic through the Roman era.
Notable Coin Hoards

  • 2002: Hoard of 723 bronze coins of Panticapaeum (3rd century BC)
  • 2003: Hoard of 99 electrum coins from Cyzicus
  • 2022: Hoard of 30 gold coins, including 26 coins of Alexander the Great and others, dating to the late 4th century BC
Epigraphic Materials and Sculptures

  • Limestone slab with a multi-line inscription (late 1st century BC to early 1st century AD)
  • Lead letter fragments (Late Classical to Hellenistic periods)
  • Fragmented marble statues, including a torso of a male deity (possibly Asclepius), dating to the first centuries AD
  • Small torso of a seated Zeus
  • Fragment of a large Classical-period tombstone with a relief depicting a boy
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
International Conference Participation

Butyagin has participated extensively in international academic forums:
  • 5th International Congress on Black Sea Antiquities (Belgrade, 2013) — published "Excavation of Ash Hill 2 in Myrmekion"
  • 6th International Congress on Black Sea Antiquities (Constanța, 2018) — presented research on "Myrmekion during and after Greek colonisation"
  • 7th International Congress on Black Sea Antiquities (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2022)
  • 17th International Congress of Classical Archaeology (Rome, 2008)
  • 3rd International Conference "The Black Sea in Antiquity" (Tekkeköy, Turkey, 2017) — co-authored presentation on "Essay on the Economy of Myrmekion in Pre-Roman Times"
  • PONTICA 2008: Recent Research on the Northern and Eastern Black Sea in Ancient Times — published "New Research in the Environs of the Acropolis of Myrmekion"
  • SOMA 2016: Symposium on Mediterranean Archaeology — contributed proceedings publication
His research has been presented at numerous symposia dedicated to Black Sea archaeology, ancient Greek colonization, and Bosporan studies.
European Excavations

Beyond his primary focus on Myrmekion, Butyagin directed excavations at the Villa Arianna at Stabiae near Naples, Italy, from 2010 to 2022. The Villa Arianna is one of the Roman residences destroyed by the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius. His collaborative work on the Villa Arianna includes:


His participation in Italian excavations exemplifies engagement with the broader international archaeological community and commitment to advancing global knowledge of ancient civilizations.
Educational and Public Engagement

Recognizing the importance of making archaeology accessible, Butyagin has been active in science communication:
  • Arzamas Academy: Prepared lectures and educational content for this leading Russian educational platform focused on history, literature, art, and culture
  • Hermitage Museum: Organized exhibitions presenting findings from the Myrmekion expedition
  • European Lecture Tour (December 2025): Conducted educational lectures in Prague, Amsterdam under the title "The Last Day of Pompeii"