Participants of the Phanagoria archaeological expedition have found the battering ram of a ship with the brand of Tsar Mitridate VI.

      The tool lay near the ship skeleton at the bottom of the Black Sea in the Gulf of Taman. The vessel was previously considered by scientists to be a Byzantine merchant ship. The find is the evidence to the historical fact that a combat ship sank in the harbor of Phanagoria.

      Now scientists are facing the task of preserving the 15 kg ram and protect it from environmental load. The triangle-shaped military tool with an extended and condensed peak will be restored and kept in Phanagoria scientific and cultural center.

      Diving works at the bottom of the Gulf of Taman are going on. The divers hope to find the ship anchor in bottom silt.