The article publishes for the first time the results of the excavations of Stanimirova mound near the village of Krushare, southeastern Bulgaria. The facilities in the mound are a partially destroyed furnace, 13 pits located at different... more
The article publishes for the first time the results of the excavations of Stanimirova mound near the village of Krushare, southeastern Bulgaria. The facilities in the mound are a partially destroyed furnace, 13 pits located at different levels in the mound and two fireplaces. After no dating materials were found, one possible interpretation of the structures found is that the entire mound was ritual. Another possible explanation for the structures in the Stanimirova Mound is their purely utilitarian function
Research Interests:
The burial mounds on present-day Bulgarian territory indisputably testify to the once presence of the Thracians (Kitov 1994, 175-176). Heaped in the course of more than three thousand years (from the Early Bronze Age till Late Antiquity),... more
The burial mounds on present-day Bulgarian territory indisputably testify to the once presence of the Thracians (Kitov 1994, 175-176). Heaped in the course of more than three thousand years (from the Early Bronze Age till Late Antiquity), they are part of the Bulgarian landscape (Fig. 1). There also are several mounds heaped by the ProtoBulgarians dwing the period from the 7th till the 9th century A.D. Whether grouped or single, the burial mounds are characteristic of the geographical regions 1,500 m above sea level. As the smaller ones were destroyed by agricultural and construction activities, their historic number may never be established. Their current number is generally estimated to be about 15,000. Until recently, as reflected in their naroes,2 the mounds were assumed to contain the graves of Thracian rulers and supreme representatives of Thracian aristocracy. Not long ago, however, some of them appeared to be heaped over sacred gifts, sacrificed in honour of the many gods an...
Research Interests:
One of the best documented Indo-European civilizations that inhabited Bulgaria is the Thracians, who lasted for more than five millennia and whose origin and relationships with other past and present-day populations are debated among... more
One of the best documented Indo-European civilizations that inhabited Bulgaria is the Thracians, who lasted for more than five millennia and whose origin and relationships with other past and present-day populations are debated among researchers. Here we report 25 new complete mitochondrial genomes of ancient individuals coming from three necropolises located in different regions of Bulgaria – Shekerdja mogila, Gabrova mogila and Bereketska mogila – dated to II-III millennium BC. The identified mtDNA haplogroup composition reflects the mitochondrial variability of Western Eurasia. In particular, within the ancient Eurasian genetic landscape, Thracians locate in an intermediate position between Early Neolithic farmers and Late Neolithic-Bronze Age steppe pastoralists, supporting the scenario that the Balkan region has been a link between Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean since the prehistoric time. Spatial Principal Component Analysis (sPCA) performed on Thracian and modern mtDNA ...
Research Interests: Genetics, Geography, Medical Anthropology, Population Genetics, Biology, and 15 moreBronze Age Archaeology, Medicine, Prehistory, Thracian Archaeology, Bronze Age, Mitochondrial DNA, Early Bronze Age Archaeology, Ancient DNA, Ancient human migrations, Haplogroup, Ancient Human Remains, Anthropology of Religion, Steppe, Ancient DNA of Human Populations, and Ancient genomics
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Basketry, matting and cordage were part of the material culture of past societies, but usually in most cases these materials are poorly preserved, unless special conditions like waterlogging, desiccation or salt play a key role in the... more
Basketry, matting and cordage were part of the material culture of past societies, but usually in most cases these materials are poorly preserved, unless special conditions like waterlogging, desiccation or salt play a key role in the depositional environment. This paper presents such a case study, dealing with the detailed analysis of a twilled burial mat fragment originating from the Kitova mound (second century AD-first half of third century AD) – a tumulus situated in eastern Thrace, Bulgaria. The reduced oxygen conditions inside the burial mound and the contact with metal corrosion products ensured the remarkable preservation of plant material forming the mat in a desiccated state and allowed the application of an integrated set of analytical techniques. This instrumental approach combined Light Microscopy (LM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). The matting technique was identified, being diagonal twilling, and the presence of spiny rush (Juncus acutus) as the raw material chosen for weaving the mat was confirmed; a possible local origin of the matting plants was suggested. It targeted the technological and taxonomical identification of the studied mat fragment and its archaeological interpretation. The design of this study remains flexible and could be successfully applied to archaeological basketry remains across different periods and geographical regions.
Research Interests:
The “Vifor” Tumulus was studied in 1995 under the direction of Dr. Georgi Kitov in connection with a large-scale project to study the burial practices of the Odrysae in the mound embankments, along the upper reaches of Tundzha River. It... more
The “Vifor” Tumulus was studied in 1995 under the direction of Dr. Georgi
Kitov in connection with a large-scale project to study the burial practices of
the Odrysae in the mound embankments, along the upper reaches of Tundzha
River.
It is located in the northwestern part of the Valley, in the land of the village
of Yasenovo. It has a diameter of 22 m and a height of 3.50 m. Two graves were
discovered in the mound. Grave No. 1 is а result of the secondary use of the
embankment. It is located about 0.90 – 1.00 m below the surface of the mound,
being dug into its eastern part. The ritual was burial in a shallow and barely
distinguishable pit in an east-west direction, with the skull facing west. The
bones are decayed and poorly preserved. A single find came from the grave - a
bronze ring (Cat. No. 1), which dated between the 9th and 11th centuries.
Grave No. 2 is located 1.50 m below the surface of the mound. The ritual
is burial with the skull in the north. The bones are partially preserved and are
found in poor condition. The buried individual from grave No. 2 is a female.
The grave's goods are a considerable amount and are quite diverse - small
ceramic vessels, a fragment of a clay spoon (Cat. No. 7), an amulet (Cat. No.
8), silver lunulae (Cat. No. 9), five bronze signet rings (Cat. No. 10, 11, 12, 13,
14), three silver pendants (Cat. No. 15, 16, 17), bronze arrowhead (Cat. No. 18),
bronze ring (cat. No. 19), silver earrings (Cat. No. 20), two different glass beads
(Cat. No. 21, 22), fragmented iron objects (Cat. No. 23, 24, 25), as well as three
different shells (Cat. No. 26, 27, 28). In the area of the chest, 2 silver coins (Cat.
No. 29, 30) of the Thracian Saratok dynasty (Yurukova 2006, 236; Kitov 2008,
81) were found, performing the role of Charon oboli, which allowed the grave
to be reliably dated to the first quarter of the 4th century BC.
Whatever functions the individual buried in the "Vifor" Tumulus performed
during his lifetime, in all cases he belonged to the highest aristocratic
stratum of the Odrisyan kingdom from the first quarter of the 4th century BC.
along the upper reaches of the Tonzos River.
The catalog at the end of the article is a complete publication of the discovered
finds, and for the majority of them it is a primary.
Kitov in connection with a large-scale project to study the burial practices of
the Odrysae in the mound embankments, along the upper reaches of Tundzha
River.
It is located in the northwestern part of the Valley, in the land of the village
of Yasenovo. It has a diameter of 22 m and a height of 3.50 m. Two graves were
discovered in the mound. Grave No. 1 is а result of the secondary use of the
embankment. It is located about 0.90 – 1.00 m below the surface of the mound,
being dug into its eastern part. The ritual was burial in a shallow and barely
distinguishable pit in an east-west direction, with the skull facing west. The
bones are decayed and poorly preserved. A single find came from the grave - a
bronze ring (Cat. No. 1), which dated between the 9th and 11th centuries.
Grave No. 2 is located 1.50 m below the surface of the mound. The ritual
is burial with the skull in the north. The bones are partially preserved and are
found in poor condition. The buried individual from grave No. 2 is a female.
The grave's goods are a considerable amount and are quite diverse - small
ceramic vessels, a fragment of a clay spoon (Cat. No. 7), an amulet (Cat. No.
8), silver lunulae (Cat. No. 9), five bronze signet rings (Cat. No. 10, 11, 12, 13,
14), three silver pendants (Cat. No. 15, 16, 17), bronze arrowhead (Cat. No. 18),
bronze ring (cat. No. 19), silver earrings (Cat. No. 20), two different glass beads
(Cat. No. 21, 22), fragmented iron objects (Cat. No. 23, 24, 25), as well as three
different shells (Cat. No. 26, 27, 28). In the area of the chest, 2 silver coins (Cat.
No. 29, 30) of the Thracian Saratok dynasty (Yurukova 2006, 236; Kitov 2008,
81) were found, performing the role of Charon oboli, which allowed the grave
to be reliably dated to the first quarter of the 4th century BC.
Whatever functions the individual buried in the "Vifor" Tumulus performed
during his lifetime, in all cases he belonged to the highest aristocratic
stratum of the Odrisyan kingdom from the first quarter of the 4th century BC.
along the upper reaches of the Tonzos River.
The catalog at the end of the article is a complete publication of the discovered
finds, and for the majority of them it is a primary.
Research Interests:
In the remote 1992, Dr. Georgy Kitov and the led by him Thracology expedition for tumuli investigation (TEMP) started a research on the burial practices in the vicinity of the town of Shipka. Dr. Kitov named the entire micro-region – the... more
In the remote 1992, Dr. Georgy Kitov and the led by him
Thracology expedition for tumuli investigation (TEMP) started a research
on the burial practices in the vicinity of the town of Shipka. Dr. Kitov named
the entire micro-region – the Valley of the Thracian Rulers.
Based on three examples of unusual tumular burials, I would like to
illustrate the thesis of their being differentiated as sacred places/toposes
(topoi).
Lidkina Tumulus is the west most of them and is situated next to the last
houses of the town. A red-figure oinochoe had been deposited in a pit
under stone cluster as a funeral offering. The shape of the vessel place it
in the second half of the 5th century BC.
Kasabova Tumulus is situated in the lands of the village of Sheinovo.
The recorded structures in the archaeological excavations turn Kasabova
Tumulus into an intricate complex and not just a simple tombstone for
the buried in it Thracian aristocrats of the second half of the 4th century
BC.
Belichenova Tumulus is located in the lands of the village of Yasenovo.
A sacrifice of a horse, the skeleton of which was in complete anatomical
order had been done in the south of the geometric center of the tumulus.
A 1.30 m high stone heap was towering above it. The configuration
resembled and should have represented phallus that symbolized fertility
and the male element. This, together with the other remains in the
embankment, turns the entire tumulus into an intricate complex that
played the role of a heroon, and presents new data concerning the
religious beliefs and rites of the Odrysians that inhabited the upper course
of Tundzha in the 4th century BC.
Thracology expedition for tumuli investigation (TEMP) started a research
on the burial practices in the vicinity of the town of Shipka. Dr. Kitov named
the entire micro-region – the Valley of the Thracian Rulers.
Based on three examples of unusual tumular burials, I would like to
illustrate the thesis of their being differentiated as sacred places/toposes
(topoi).
Lidkina Tumulus is the west most of them and is situated next to the last
houses of the town. A red-figure oinochoe had been deposited in a pit
under stone cluster as a funeral offering. The shape of the vessel place it
in the second half of the 5th century BC.
Kasabova Tumulus is situated in the lands of the village of Sheinovo.
The recorded structures in the archaeological excavations turn Kasabova
Tumulus into an intricate complex and not just a simple tombstone for
the buried in it Thracian aristocrats of the second half of the 4th century
BC.
Belichenova Tumulus is located in the lands of the village of Yasenovo.
A sacrifice of a horse, the skeleton of which was in complete anatomical
order had been done in the south of the geometric center of the tumulus.
A 1.30 m high stone heap was towering above it. The configuration
resembled and should have represented phallus that symbolized fertility
and the male element. This, together with the other remains in the
embankment, turns the entire tumulus into an intricate complex that
played the role of a heroon, and presents new data concerning the
religious beliefs and rites of the Odrysians that inhabited the upper course
of Tundzha in the 4th century BC.
Research Interests:
In the first decade of the 21st century largescale excavations of tumuli began under the direction of Dr. Georgi Kitov in the area of the present-day municipality of Sliven. The goal of the team was to investigate Thracian burial customs... more
In the first decade of the 21st century largescale
excavations of tumuli began under the direction
of Dr. Georgi Kitov in the area of the
present-day municipality of Sliven. The goal
of the team was to investigate Thracian burial
customs and practices in this micro region. A
wealthy elite necropolis was identified along the
big Tundhza River curve to the south where its
middle flow starts, in the territories of the villages
of Krushare, Topolchane and Kaloyanovo.
excavations of tumuli began under the direction
of Dr. Georgi Kitov in the area of the
present-day municipality of Sliven. The goal
of the team was to investigate Thracian burial
customs and practices in this micro region. A
wealthy elite necropolis was identified along the
big Tundhza River curve to the south where its
middle flow starts, in the territories of the villages
of Krushare, Topolchane and Kaloyanovo.
Research Interests:
Papers from the session 'Tumuli Graves - Status Symbol of the Dead in Bronze and Iron Ages in Europe' held at the XVI IUPPS World Congress (Florianopolis, 4-10 September 2011). Contents: 1) Tumuli Graves - Status symbol of the... more
Papers from the session 'Tumuli Graves - Status Symbol of the Dead in Bronze and Iron Ages in Europe' held at the XVI IUPPS World Congress (Florianopolis, 4-10 September 2011). Contents: 1) Tumuli Graves - Status symbol of the dead in Bronze and Iron Ages in Europe (Valeriu Sirbu, Cristian Schuster); 2) Rituals and death cults in recent prehistory in Central Portugal (Alto Ribatejo) (Alexandra Figueiredo); 3) The cave of Sa Omu and Tziu Giovanni Murgia, Funtana Arrubia, Nurallao (south-central Sardinia - Italy): First conclusions (Alexandra Figueiredo et al); 4) The Yamnaya burials from Sultana, in the context of the similar finds on the territory of Romania (Done Serbanescu, Alexandra Comsa); 5) Early Bronze Age burial mounds in South Romania (Cristian Schuster); 6) In Search for Prestige: Bronze Age Tumular Graves in West Serbia (Marija Ljustina, Katarina Dmitrovic); 7) Criteria for a social status typology in prehistory (Open model for discussion) (Lolita Nikolova); 8) 'Armed' Females of Iron Age Trans-Uralian Forest-Steppe: Social Reality or Status Identity? (Natalia Berseneva); 9) Funerary Monuments of the Scythian Amazons (Social Aspect) (Elena Fialko); 10) Between Etruscan, Greeks and Celts: change in the good graves of the Ligurian Iron Age necropolis (Davide Delfino); 11) 5th-4th c. BC Thracian Orphic Tumular Burials in Sliven Region (Southeastern Bulgaria) (Diana Dimitrova); Agighiol and Peretu - Graves at Getae Basilei (350-300 BC) at Lower Danube (Valeriu Sirbu).
Research Interests: Ancient History and Art
Gabrova tumulus is part of a cemetery situated on the territory of the village of Kamen (Sliven municipality, Southeastern Bulgaria). The village is located on the left upstream bank of the Tundzha River and is ca. 8.5 km in a straight... more
Gabrova tumulus is part of a cemetery situated on the territory of the village of Kamen (Sliven municipality,
Southeastern Bulgaria). The village is located on the left upstream bank of the Tundzha River and is ca. 8.5 km
in a straight line from the southern slopes of the Eastern Stara Planina Mountain.
The site was excavated between mid-August and mid-September 2011 by a team of the National Institute
of Archaeology with Museum at BAS headed by Diana Dimitrova.
The tumulus measures 32 m in diameter and its height varies from 2.3 m to 2.8 m from different sides. The
following constructions were discovered at different levels of the embankment: 21 secondary graves, dated
from the Late Antiquity to the 15th c., 10 Early Bronze Age (EBA) graves, a stone heap and a trizna. Single burials
had been performed in most of the pits. The ritual is inhumation – the dead body is back-side laid down and
the legs are bent. Dead bodies were E-W oriented and the crania were in both directions. The bones of some
skeletons were ruddle dyed. One of the pits was covered with flat broken stones. One of the graves comprised
mixed ritual (inhumation and cremation outside the tumular embankment) and the following grave goods: Arsenical
Bronze burnt dagger and bone amulet. Grave № 24 was a mass one – an oval pit dug in the continental
rock (w = 0.80 m; 1 = 1.48 m, h = 1.30 m) comprised 7 individuals bones not arranged in anatomic order – 2
young women, young man and 4 children. All people had been buried simultaneously and most probably the
grave was affiliated with the central burial. The following were found there: large clay urn, lupine or canine
bone amulets, bit of obsidian and a clay bowl (the latter discovered fragmented inside the um).
Southeastern Bulgaria). The village is located on the left upstream bank of the Tundzha River and is ca. 8.5 km
in a straight line from the southern slopes of the Eastern Stara Planina Mountain.
The site was excavated between mid-August and mid-September 2011 by a team of the National Institute
of Archaeology with Museum at BAS headed by Diana Dimitrova.
The tumulus measures 32 m in diameter and its height varies from 2.3 m to 2.8 m from different sides. The
following constructions were discovered at different levels of the embankment: 21 secondary graves, dated
from the Late Antiquity to the 15th c., 10 Early Bronze Age (EBA) graves, a stone heap and a trizna. Single burials
had been performed in most of the pits. The ritual is inhumation – the dead body is back-side laid down and
the legs are bent. Dead bodies were E-W oriented and the crania were in both directions. The bones of some
skeletons were ruddle dyed. One of the pits was covered with flat broken stones. One of the graves comprised
mixed ritual (inhumation and cremation outside the tumular embankment) and the following grave goods: Arsenical
Bronze burnt dagger and bone amulet. Grave № 24 was a mass one – an oval pit dug in the continental
rock (w = 0.80 m; 1 = 1.48 m, h = 1.30 m) comprised 7 individuals bones not arranged in anatomic order – 2
young women, young man and 4 children. All people had been buried simultaneously and most probably the
grave was affiliated with the central burial. The following were found there: large clay urn, lupine or canine
bone amulets, bit of obsidian and a clay bowl (the latter discovered fragmented inside the um).
Research Interests:
The term “The Valley of the Thracian Kings” covers the territory of the present-day municipalities of Pavel Banya, Kazanluk and Muglizh in Central Bulgaria. The name is well deserved because of the Kazanluk Tomb, an UNESCO site, the... more
The term “The Valley of the Thracian Kings” covers the
territory of the present-day municipalities of Pavel Banya, Kazanluk and
Muglizh in Central Bulgaria. The name is well deserved because of the
Kazanluk Tomb, an UNESCO site, the capital city of the Thracian ruler Seuthes
III, now under the waters of the Koprinka Dam, as well as because of the
discovered numerous temple-tombs under tumuli that are relatively well
preserved and display a great architectural variety.
Conclusions about the armor of the Odrysian kings of the late 5th
through the late 4th and early 3rd century BC have been made due to the finds
from two hallmark archaeological complexes in the Golyama Kosmatka and in
the Svetitsata Tumuli.
territory of the present-day municipalities of Pavel Banya, Kazanluk and
Muglizh in Central Bulgaria. The name is well deserved because of the
Kazanluk Tomb, an UNESCO site, the capital city of the Thracian ruler Seuthes
III, now under the waters of the Koprinka Dam, as well as because of the
discovered numerous temple-tombs under tumuli that are relatively well
preserved and display a great architectural variety.
Conclusions about the armor of the Odrysian kings of the late 5th
through the late 4th and early 3rd century BC have been made due to the finds
from two hallmark archaeological complexes in the Golyama Kosmatka and in
the Svetitsata Tumuli.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The Ostrusha tumulus (fig. 1) is located on the territory of Shipka town, around 3 km southeast of the city centre. In 1933, in the southern part of the tumulus under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgi Kitov, a monumental... more
The Ostrusha tumulus (fig. 1) is located on the territory of Shipka town, around 3
km southeast of the city centre. In 1933, in the southern part of the tumulus under the
leadership of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgi Kitov, a monumental burial-cult complex was discovered.
In the past 22 years till the beginning of 2015 the atmospheric conditions caused
the partial break-down of the profile, north of the protective building. As a result, in the
spring of 2015 after a collapse of the profile, a disturbed secondary grave with inhumation
was recorded built of roof tiles. During the rescue archaeological excavations in November
2015 in the northern profile (fig. 3), high in the mound, at about 2,50 m below the
surface of the mound, 3 graves were recorded. Two of them are situated in the western
part of the mound profile (fig. 4), while the third one is in its eastern part.
During archaeological excavations in 1993 in the southern periphery of the mound a
4th century BC coin hoard was found, while during the later rescue archaeological inves338
итра окова иана иитрова
tigation of the same mound the excavators came across another similar find dated also
to the 4th century. It comes from grave 2.
The first hoard consists of 47 coins, minted between 324 and 363. The earliest copper
coin is with the image and name of Helen, mother of Emperor Constantine I. Following
are 45 coins, minted during the reign of Constantius II, including also coins minted in
the name of Constantius Gal – 2 coins, and by Julian II – 6 coins. The independent reign
of Julian II is represented by 1 coin.
The new hoard is smaller in number than the already described one. It consists of
the bronze nominal АЕ3 only and its content is as follows: an example from an emission
minted in 335-341 – 1 coin; Constantius II – 11 coins; Constantius Gal – 1 coin; Julian II
(as a Caesar) – 1 coin; Jovian – 1 coin; Valens – 7 coins; coins minted in the years 364/365
and 364/378 – 2 coins; Procopius – 2 coins. With its content the second coin hoard from
the Ostrusha tumulus represents a continuation of the earlier one. Undoubtedly, both
hoards are related to the grave goods of the late antique necropolis of the mound.
In addition to single finds related to the so called Charon’s obol, the discovery of
coin hoards in necropoleis is a common practice during the Roman Age. Leaving coins
in graves during Late Antiquity in our lands is attested in both flat graves and tumuli.
In addition to the necropolis of Augusta Traiana, similar late antique finds are recorded
in the necropoleis of Deultum, the settlement by Koprivlen, in the antique graves in the
quarters of Sofia – Goryblyane and Simeonovo, and others.
km southeast of the city centre. In 1933, in the southern part of the tumulus under the
leadership of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgi Kitov, a monumental burial-cult complex was discovered.
In the past 22 years till the beginning of 2015 the atmospheric conditions caused
the partial break-down of the profile, north of the protective building. As a result, in the
spring of 2015 after a collapse of the profile, a disturbed secondary grave with inhumation
was recorded built of roof tiles. During the rescue archaeological excavations in November
2015 in the northern profile (fig. 3), high in the mound, at about 2,50 m below the
surface of the mound, 3 graves were recorded. Two of them are situated in the western
part of the mound profile (fig. 4), while the third one is in its eastern part.
During archaeological excavations in 1993 in the southern periphery of the mound a
4th century BC coin hoard was found, while during the later rescue archaeological inves338
итра окова иана иитрова
tigation of the same mound the excavators came across another similar find dated also
to the 4th century. It comes from grave 2.
The first hoard consists of 47 coins, minted between 324 and 363. The earliest copper
coin is with the image and name of Helen, mother of Emperor Constantine I. Following
are 45 coins, minted during the reign of Constantius II, including also coins minted in
the name of Constantius Gal – 2 coins, and by Julian II – 6 coins. The independent reign
of Julian II is represented by 1 coin.
The new hoard is smaller in number than the already described one. It consists of
the bronze nominal АЕ3 only and its content is as follows: an example from an emission
minted in 335-341 – 1 coin; Constantius II – 11 coins; Constantius Gal – 1 coin; Julian II
(as a Caesar) – 1 coin; Jovian – 1 coin; Valens – 7 coins; coins minted in the years 364/365
and 364/378 – 2 coins; Procopius – 2 coins. With its content the second coin hoard from
the Ostrusha tumulus represents a continuation of the earlier one. Undoubtedly, both
hoards are related to the grave goods of the late antique necropolis of the mound.
In addition to single finds related to the so called Charon’s obol, the discovery of
coin hoards in necropoleis is a common practice during the Roman Age. Leaving coins
in graves during Late Antiquity in our lands is attested in both flat graves and tumuli.
In addition to the necropolis of Augusta Traiana, similar late antique finds are recorded
in the necropoleis of Deultum, the settlement by Koprivlen, in the antique graves in the
quarters of Sofia – Goryblyane and Simeonovo, and others.
Research Interests:
The area between Starossel and Strelcha and their adjacent territories can be defined as a specific micro region in the northern confines of the Odrysian Kingdom in the 4th century BC. Chetinyova Mound was part of the Starossel Thracian... more
The area between Starossel and Strelcha and their adjacent
territories can be defined as a specific micro region in the northern confines of
the Odrysian Kingdom in the 4th century BC. Chetinyova Mound was part of the
Starossel Thracian cultic center. The monumental construction under the mound
excavated in 2000 is so far the biggest in Bulgaria and in the entire southeastern
Europe. It displays the exceptional architectural, building and mathematical
skills of Thracian builders in the first half of the 4th century BC. The mere
existence of such a building in Thracian cultural milieu poses questions about its
functions and the phases of its use. Remains of pits, hearths, excharas and
pottery fragments along the crepis, and at various places and at different heights
of the mound testify to multiple ritual and/or utilitarian activities performed
simultaneously with the use of the temple but also after it had been partially
destroyed and covered with soil on purpose, as if to conceal its existence. The
reasons for the damaging of the construction remain unclear.
territories can be defined as a specific micro region in the northern confines of
the Odrysian Kingdom in the 4th century BC. Chetinyova Mound was part of the
Starossel Thracian cultic center. The monumental construction under the mound
excavated in 2000 is so far the biggest in Bulgaria and in the entire southeastern
Europe. It displays the exceptional architectural, building and mathematical
skills of Thracian builders in the first half of the 4th century BC. The mere
existence of such a building in Thracian cultural milieu poses questions about its
functions and the phases of its use. Remains of pits, hearths, excharas and
pottery fragments along the crepis, and at various places and at different heights
of the mound testify to multiple ritual and/or utilitarian activities performed
simultaneously with the use of the temple but also after it had been partially
destroyed and covered with soil on purpose, as if to conceal its existence. The
reasons for the damaging of the construction remain unclear.
Research Interests:
one of the best documented Indo-european civilizations that inhabited Bulgaria is the thracians, who lasted for more than five millennia and whose origin and relationships with other past and present-day populations are debated among... more
one of the best documented Indo-european civilizations that inhabited Bulgaria is the thracians, who lasted for more than five millennia and whose origin and relationships with other past and present-day populations are debated among researchers. Here we report 25 new complete mitochondrial genomes of ancient individuals coming from three necropolises located in different regions of Bulgaria-shekerdja mogila, Gabrova mogila and Bereketska mogila-dated to II-III millennium BC. the identified mtDNA haplogroup composition reflects the mitochondrial variability of Western Eurasia. In particular, within the ancient eurasian genetic landscape, thracians locate in an intermediate position between early Neolithic farmers and Late Neolithic-Bronze Age steppe pastoralists, supporting the scenario that the Balkan region has been a link between eastern europe and the Mediterranean since the prehistoric time. spatial principal Component Analysis (spCA) performed on thracian and modern mtDNA sequences, confirms the pattern highlighted on ancient populations, overall indicating that the maternal gene pool of Thracians reflects their central geographical position at the gateway of Europe. Bulgaria is situated in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, at the connection point between Southeastern Europe, Eurasian steppe, Anatolia and the Aegean islands. The presence of modern humans in this region is attested starting from 40 kya by the Paleolithic series at Bacho Kiro and Temnata Dupka Caves 1-3. Some archaeological sites associated with early farmers, as well as the earliest evidence of copper metallurgy in Europe, indicates that this area played a significant role both in the Neolithic and in the Metal Ages 4. One of the best documented Indo-European civilizations that inhabited Bulgaria consists in the Thracians, whose cultural legacy is still evident in the modern society. Different theories have been historically proposed about the origin of the Thracians. Today it is assumed that the Thracian culture emerged and formed in the early Bronze Age 5-7 , a period characterized by strong cultural changes and movements of people westward from the Steppe 8. During the 5th and 4th millennium BCE, the inhabitants of the eastern region of Balkans were organized in different groups of indigenous people that, over time, were named under the single ethnonym of "Thracians" 9-11. According to historical and archaeological sources, the Thracian culture flourished during the 2nd and 3rd millennia BCE 12,13. The rich cultural and historical heritage, represented by fortresses and necropolises, as well as by the world-famous Panagyurishte, Valchitran, Lukovit and Rogozen treasures, dates back to this period. In the later periods, several populations (
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
one of the best documented Indo-european civilizations that inhabited Bulgaria is the thracians, who lasted for more than five millennia and whose origin and relationships with other past and present-day populations are debated among... more
one of the best documented Indo-european civilizations that inhabited Bulgaria is the thracians, who lasted for more than five millennia and whose origin and relationships with other past and present-day populations are debated among researchers. Here we report 25 new complete mitochondrial genomes of ancient individuals coming from three necropolises located in different regions of Bulgaria-shekerdja mogila, Gabrova mogila and Bereketska mogila-dated to II-III millennium BC. the identified mtDNA haplogroup composition reflects the mitochondrial variability of Western Eurasia. In particular, within the ancient eurasian genetic landscape, thracians locate in an intermediate position between early Neolithic farmers and Late Neolithic-Bronze Age steppe pastoralists, supporting the scenario that the Balkan region has been a link between eastern europe and the Mediterranean since the prehistoric time. spatial principal Component Analysis (spCA) performed on thracian and modern mtDNA sequences, confirms the pattern highlighted on ancient populations, overall indicating that the maternal gene pool of Thracians reflects their central geographical position at the gateway of Europe. Bulgaria is situated in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, at the connection point between Southeastern Europe, Eurasian steppe, Anatolia and the Aegean islands. The presence of modern humans in this region is attested starting from 40 kya by the Paleolithic series at Bacho Kiro and Temnata Dupka Caves 1-3. Some archaeological sites associated with early farmers, as well as the earliest evidence of copper metallurgy in Europe, indicates that this area played a significant role both in the Neolithic and in the Metal Ages 4. One of the best documented Indo-European civilizations that inhabited Bulgaria consists in the Thracians, whose cultural legacy is still evident in the modern society. Different theories have been historically proposed about the origin of the Thracians. Today it is assumed that the Thracian culture emerged and formed in the early Bronze Age 5-7 , a period characterized by strong cultural changes and movements of people westward from the Steppe 8. During the 5th and 4th millennium BCE, the inhabitants of the eastern region of Balkans were organized in different groups of indigenous people that, over time, were named under the single ethnonym of "Thracians" 9-11. According to historical and archaeological sources, the Thracian culture flourished during the 2nd and 3rd millennia BCE 12,13. The rich cultural and historical heritage, represented by fortresses and necropolises, as well as by the world-famous Panagyurishte, Valchitran, Lukovit and Rogozen treasures, dates back to this period. In the later periods, several populations (
Research Interests:
Genome sequencing of the 5,300-year-old mummy of the Tyrolean Iceman, found in 1991 on a glacier near the border of Italy and Austria, has yielded new insights into his origin and relationship to modern European populations. A key finding... more
Genome sequencing of the 5,300-year-old mummy of the Tyrolean Iceman, found in 1991 on a glacier near the border of Italy and Austria, has yielded new insights into his origin and relationship to modern European populations. A key finding of that study was an apparent recent common ancestry with individuals from Sardinia, based largely on the Y chromosome haplogroup and common autosomal SNP variation. Here, we compiled and analyzed genomic datasets from both modern and ancient Europeans, including genome sequence data from over 400 Sardinians and two ancient Thracians from Bulgaria, to investigate this result in greater detail and determine its implications for the genetic structure of Neolithic Europe. Using whole-genome sequencing data, we confirm that the Iceman is, indeed, most closely related to Sardinians. Furthermore, we show that this relationship extends to other individuals from cultural contexts associated with the spread of agriculture during the Neolithic transition, in contrast to individuals from a hunter-gatherer context. We hypothesize that this genetic affinity of ancient samples from different parts of Europe with Sardinians represents a common genetic component that was geographically widespread across Europe during the Neolithic, likely related to migrations and population expansions associated with the spread of agriculture.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The archaeological site is located in the northeastern part of the Sofia kettle, Southwestern Bulgaria. There were found two archaeological structures during the construction of site № 3 along the North Tangent in Sofia. The conducted... more
The archaeological site is located in the northeastern part of the Sofia kettle, Southwestern Bulgaria. There were found two archaeological structures during the construction of site № 3 along the North Tangent in Sofia. The conducted studies showed that the cultural layers are in the alluvial deposits of Perlovska river (a left tributary of Iskar river). This gave a reason for performing complex descriptions, sampling and analysis on field. There were made archaeological excavations in an area of 160 m length and a width of 22 m. Geomorphological observations are marked in five key points. The samples were processed in a sedimentological laboratory and put through morphoscopic and grain-size analysis. INTRUDUCTION The study area is located in 120-150 cm depth of present topographic surface near the Perlovska river bed. Archaeological data The archaeological site 3A is part of larger site № 3 in the route between 8+ 400 km to 9+ 030 km (Fig. 1), which is conditionally numbered with the letter "A". In the section between 8+ km 400 to km 8+ 560 boreholes were made with a width of 1 m, total length of 430 m and a depth from 0,90 m to 1,20 m. By means of the boreholes there are registered two archaeological structures. One of them is a platform with 5 clay pots placed on it, which are made of rough clay with impurities. Three of them are cups with two handles and two are pots (Fig. 2a). There is no signs of pit. It is possible it was destroyed with the removal of the humus layer. The morphology of the pottery, the texture and the clay color, the impurities, the method of firing, they clearly prove that the pottery belong to the cultural layer of the final phase of the Early Bronze Age.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Гробницата на тракийския цар Севт ІІІ, монументално архитектурно съоръжение в могилата Голяма Кос-матка при гр. Шипка в Долината на тракийските владетели, е открита за България и света през 2004 година от екипа на доц. д-р Георги Китов.... more
Гробницата на тракийския цар Севт ІІІ, монументално архитектурно съоръжение в могилата Голяма Кос-матка при гр. Шипка в Долината на тракийските владетели, е открита за България и света през 2004 година от екипа на доц. д-р Георги Китов. Авторката на настоящата книга е заместник-ръководител на научната експедиция и участник в археологи-ческите разкопки на непокътнатия гроб на тракийския владетел, едно от най-богатите погребения на тери-торията на България. Книгата представя подробно ре-зултатите от разкопките, както и до-билите вече световна слава артефак-ти като уникалната бронзова глава от статуя на обожествения владетел, неговите лични вещи и оръжие, пре-димно от благородни метали. Из-следванията и тълкуванията на ав-торката са онагледени с повече от триста снимки на процеса на работа и откритите находки, някои от които се публикуват за пръв път. In 2004 the tomb of Thracian King Seuthes III-a monumental architectural facility in Golyama Kosmatka tumulus near Shipka in the Valley of the Thracian Kings-was discovered for Bulgaria and the world by the team of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgi Kitov. The author of this book is deputy director of the scientific expedition and participant in archaeological excavations of Thracian ruler's intact tomb-one of the richest burials on the territory of Bulgaria. The book presents in details the results of the excavations and some of the finds that have already became world famous such as the unique bronze head of deified ruler's statue, his personal belongings and weapons mainly from precious metals. Author's researches and interpretations are illustrated by more than 300 photographs of work situations and discovered artifacts-some of which are published for the first time.