Archaeology in Bulgaria
Prehistoric Archaeology in Bulgaria 
In Bulgaria, many of the most interesting archaeological discoveries from the prehistoric period have been made in caves. Some of the most important caves for Bulgarian archaeology are the “Bacho Kiro”, “Temnata Dupka”, “Devetashka Peshtera” and “Yagodinska Peshtera” caves. However, perhaps the most famous archaeological monument in Bulgaria from the prehistoric period is the Varna Nekropolis, an ancient burial site located at the edge of the modern Black Sea coastal city of Varna. The graves are believed to date back to 4600-4200 BC. |
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Thracian Archaeology in Bulgaria 
Numerous archaeological treasures and monuments have been found throughout Bulgarian which are connected with the Thracian period. These include the ruins of Thracian fortresses in the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains, Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) and Strandzha Mountains. Traditionally some of the most important archaeological finds in Bulgaria connected with the Thracian period have come from the 25,000 or so Thracian tumuli or burial mounds found scattered around the country. The most famous artefacts discovered in Bulgaria from the Thracian period have been the amazing Thracian gold treasures. Numerous Thracian treasures have been discovered in Bulgaria, including the Vulchitrun gold treasure (discovered in 1924), the Panagyurishte gold treasure (discovered in 1949), the Lukovit gold treasure (discovered in 1953) and the Rogozen gold treasure (discovered in 1985). As recently as 2004, another wonderful golden treasure from the Thracian period has been found near Shipka. It is an amazing golden mask thought to have been the mask of an important Thracian king. Also attracting international attention at the moment are the major on-going Bulgarian archaeological investigations taking place at the unique rock complexes of Perperikon and Tatul in the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains. |
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Roman Archaeology in Bulgaria 
There are a number of very interesting archaeological sites and monuments in Bulgaria which date from the Roman period. These include the ruins of the enormous Roman Thermae (Roman Baths) in the Black Sea coastal city of Varna. These are thought to date back to the end of the second century AD, and to have continued functioning to the end of the third century AD. The ruins of several Roman fortresses are found in different parts of Bulgaria. Probably the most impressive is the mighty Belogradchik Fortress, established within the beautiful protected territory knows as the Belogradchishki Skali (Belogradchik Rocks). Also of great interest from the Roman period are the archaeological remains of former Roman towns in Bulgaria. Numerous fascinating archaeological discoveries from the Roman period have been made at the Black Sea coastal town of Sozopol (Apollonia Pontica) and also at Plovdiv (Philippopolis), including the remains of the beautiful Roman theatre and Roman stadium in the latter city. Also of great interest are the archaeological sites of the former Roman towns of Nikopolis ad Istrum (to the north of Veliko Turnovo) and Nikopolis ad Nestum (near Gotse Delchev), along with Villa Armira, a Roman villa near Ivailovgrad in the Eastern Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains.
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Medieval Archaeology in Bulgaria 
Bulgaria has numerous outstanding archaeological monuments from the medieval period. These include the remains of Pliska (the first Bulgarian capital) and Veliki Preslav (the second Bulgarian capital) from the time of the First Bulgarian Kingdom. The Bulgarian city of Veliko Turnovo (capital of the Second Bulgaria Kingdom) harbours many important archaeological monuments from the medieval period, including the mighty fortress known as Tsarevets. Other treasures from the medieval period are many of the outstanding early frescoes which can be seen painted on the walls of churches such as the Boyanska Cherkva (Boyana Church) and the church at Asenova Krepost.
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