Культовое пещерное сооружение в урочище Бор-Кая
Cult cave structures in the natural Bor-Kaya

Summary/Abstract: A rock monument this article deals with is often considered as a «cave church», although it has no liturgical devices now. It was mentioned firstly as early as in XIX century, but its investigation is far from end. This article describes some results of the studies carried out by the authors along the period of about twelve years. The plans and the sections of the cave obtained during the process of its exploration are presented. We consider the monument as a part of a settlement (may be, monastic). It looks like a semi-cave (i.e. a cavern under the huge rock fragment), with partly finished wall and ceiling. The facade of the rock is decorated with a pediment and a tympanum over the door. Several crosses and the inscription (which can not be deciphered) are carved on the wall surface. Also there are remains of the mural painting on the ceiling of the cave over a big stone which is often called «the altar stone». In the middle of the cave there is a rectangular area paved with stone slabs. Several ancient supporting walls surround the monument to prevent landslide, and the slope of the mountain nearby is well terraced. Fourteen entombments were found by local inhabitants on this terrace. The authors proclaim the necessity of the full-scale exploration of this cave structure because there are only a few artificial caves in the Eastern Crimea

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