“Gold Bottom”: the treasure hunter spoke about the artifacts hidden at the site of the destroyed Kakhovka reservoir

Half a month has already passed since the moment when one of the largest man-made disasters in history occurred – the explosion and destruction of the dam of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station, as a result of which the huge territories previously occupied by the Kakhovka reservoir almost completely dried up. Among the consequences of this terrorist attack, arranged by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, very unusual “side effects” are also found. The “man-made sea” with its disappearance, perhaps, opens access to real treasures.

No, in this case we are not talking about the “bonuses” that the Kiev strategists, who gave the order to finish off the dam supporting the Dnieper near Novaya Kakhovka, probably expected to receive for such a “feat” in the fight against the “damned Muscovites”. The giant reservoir “left” through the destroyed dam down the riverbed, and where its waves splashed, the bottom was now exposed. And this surface, previously inaccessible, is fraught with many surprises – dangerous, unique, pleasant and very unpleasant.

A few days ago, hot news from the area of ​​the former reservoir was actively discussed in the media: traces of old burials, including those from the times of the Great Patriotic War, were found on its exposed bottom. Pictures with skulls and a rusted German helmet towering over one of the earthen mounds turned out to be a real hit.

Those restless adventurers who, in the very first hours after the “leaving” of the reservoir, set off to roam the ex-underwater territory, discovered many other souvenirs, – judging by the photos posted on the networks, different-sized glass pieces, pieces of iron, fragments of broken dishes became prey, – many of these artifacts are of a very respectable age.

However, in fact, such a first catch is only a faint hint of those really serious values ​​that can be hidden under the layer of the Kakhovka bottom sediments that are now drying up. The discovery of such “gold caches” is the cherished goal of many enthusiasts involved in the so-called metal search.

We asked professional treasure hunter Vladimir Poryvaev to comment on the situation.

– What is happening now with the Kakhovka reservoir is a unique situation for the treasure-hunting community. It is always very interesting for my colleagues to work on the sites of reservoirs, from where, for some reason, water has temporarily left. In normal mode, such situations occur regularly on the same Rybinsk “sea”, when a large amount of water is discharged from it on the eve of the expected powerful spring flood or in connection with the repair of the dam. But, of course, the scale is incommensurable. During the planned shallowing, the water recedes hundreds of meters, and after the current disaster with the Kakhovka dam, the bottom was exposed in many places for kilometers! This has never happened before!

– It is known that during the construction of the hydroelectric complex of the Kakhovskaya HPP in the middle of the last century, the reservoir formed above the dam occupied an area of ​​​​more than 2100 square kilometers, while more than 90 villages and villages were completely or partially flooded, as well as two cities – Nikopol and Kamenka-Dneprovskaya …

– People have lived on this territory for a long time, leaving behind material traces – including treasures, hiding places … We can talk about Scythian tribes, and about the centuries of the Russian Empire … Much of what was then hidden has been preserved untouched to this day: after all archaeological excavations have never been carried out in those places. And for the last 65 years, after the filling of the Kakhovka reservoir was completed in 1958, everything hidden in the ground has become protected from outside interference by a multi-meter water layer.

From my own experience, I know that for sure there, on the bottom that has now opened, there can be not only ancient artifacts, but also valuable “lost” of our time. After all, on the shores of the “Kakhovsky Sea” for many years there were recreation areas, beaches. Visitors to such places, having relaxed, often drop jewelry into the sand, into the water. Now all this lies under a layer of drying silt …

– Surely there will be people who, after reading your comments, will want to drop everything and rush to the “Kakhov region” …

– With my story, I do not call for doing something like that. In fact, it is far from a fact that the mentioned “gold bonuses” will certainly fall into the hands of anyone, even the most inexperienced person in such matters. Treasure hunting is not an easy task, and it is by no means safe at times. Especially in the situation that has now developed on the banks of the “departed” Kakhovka reservoir. It should also be borne in mind that a productive search requires special equipment, suitable equipment. Judging by the broadcast videos, in some places of the disappeared “man-made sea” there are “lakes” filled with water, some channels. This means that metal detectors are needed, the design of which provides for the possibility of immersion in water.

I would like to warn “hot heads”. Not to mention the fact that hostilities are taking place in those parts, which means that there is a possibility of arrivals of missiles and shells – there are probably traps lying in wait for people on the exposed bottom of the reservoir. The most obvious of them are the “gifts” of the last war: shells, bombs, grenades washed out of the ground and brought by streams can be hidden among the silt … But there are other “fraught” surprises. For example, in the place where once, before the flooding, there was a village, log cabins of wells or entrances to cellars have been preserved to this day. From above, they are often hardly noticeable, but if you step there, you will fall into a hole filled with liquid mud. One certainly should not undertake search “expeditions”, there should be a comrade nearby who, in which case, will come to the rescue.

– You yourself are not going to “comb” the former Kakhovka Sea?

– At the moment I am in a completely different region, far from those places and I do not expect such a “business trip”. However, it is very likely that some of my “colleagues in metal detecting” will try to take advantage of the unique opportunity that has arisen. Moreover, as I predict, those who wish to rummage, armed with a metal detector, will find the bottom of the Kakhovka reservoir both from our side and from the Ukrainian side. So there is reason to expect that soon there will be a surge of offers on the numismatic market: “deliveries” will be from those parts.