Bulgarian e-Journal of Archaeology | Българско е-Списание за Археология
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International Conference “The Quaestura Exercitus in its Regional Context: Historical and Archaeological Perspectives”, Varna, 16th–19th September 2025
Full text linkArchaeological evidence of luxury textiles from Late Antique Serdica
Full text linkEvidence of archaeological textiles from antiquity, and in particular of luxury textiles, has long attracted the interest of researchers. Clothing in every historical period is among the clearest markers of prestige and social status. Unfortunately, we have very little published material from modern day Bulgaria. This paper presents some finds from the Eastern and Western necropolises of Serdica, which shed some light on the spread and use of gold-woven textiles in late antiquity. There are 17 examples of gold-woven clothing and funerary textiles. Most of them have only the golden threads preserved, but in some cases organic threads are also detected, which are subject to forthcoming interdisciplinary analysis. In addition to the archaeological finds, some pictural evidence are presented to complement the visual reconstruction of the luxury textiles in late antiquity
Tracing Late Bronze Age transitions in the Eastern Carpathian Basin: insights from a new Cruceni–Belegiš type settlement from Dumbrăvița–Parohia Ortodoxă III (Timiș County, Romania)
Full text linkThis study presents the results of preventive archaeological investigations of the prehistoric settlement Dumbrăvița–Parohia Ortodoxă III, one of many sites identified in the peri-urban area of Timișoara. The site is one of the few settlements attributed to the Cruceni–Belegiš ceramic style, known from central Banat. This style developed across a wide area that includes present-day Romania, Serbia, and Croatia during the Late Bronze Age (LBA) of the eastern Carpathian Basin (ca. 1600–1200 BC).
No dwellings were found during the excavation. However, the presence of daub fragments with wattle impressions indicates the existence of architectural structures at the site. Among the many refuse pits, a small but informative pottery assemblage was found, along with five beads and a metal artefact. The ceramics were analysed for manufacturing technology, vessel typology and ornamentation. This analysis provided information for the relative chronology of the site and facilitated comparison with the LBA settlement of Giroc–Mescal (Timiş county) using multivariate statistics. Additionally, an AMS radiocarbon date provided absolute chronological context for the assemblage, establishing a firmer timeline for the site.
The main contribution of the Dumbrăvița–Parohia Ortodoxă III discoveries is in documenting a transitional chronological sequence. Certain regional LBA I traits were abandoned, others persisted, and new elements were adopted. The ceramic assemblage reveals transformations from the old to the newer phase of the discussed ceramic style. The discovery of beads in the Cruceni–Belegiš cultural area is unique so far. Also, the metal artefact – a saw blade – provides insights into metal utilisation on this site
Pistiros and Thasos: revisiting the foundation narrative of the settlement at Adzhiyska Vodenitsa (Vetren)
Full text linkThe discovery of the Pistiros inscription (SEG 49. 911) in 1990 dramatically changed the interpretation of the nearby ancient settlement at Adzhiyska Vodenitsa. The site came to be identified as the emporion Pistiros, a Greek trading post founded by settlers from the Thasian perea. Based on historical and archaeological arguments, the excavation director Mieczysław Domaradzki proposed that after Thasos lost its continental possessions to Athens in 462 BC, Thasians settled in the interior of Thrace in pursuit of new riches. This foundation narrative and the hypothetical Thasian link have significantly shaped subsequent scholarship not only about the settlement at Adzhiyska Vodenitsa but also about Thracian-Greek relations more widely. This paper examines the alleged role of Thasos as a founder and main commercial partner of Adzhiyska Vodenitsa. A re-evaluation of the key underlying arguments, namely the historical evidence, the fortifications and the foundation date, the coins, and the transport amphoras shows that the idea that Adzhiyska Vodenitsa was a Thasian foundation or that it had a special link with Thasos does not stand up to scrutiny. The settlement was well connected to north Aegean trade networks, and its fortifications followed trends in late 5th and 4th c. BC Greek cities, but there are no grounds to think of these connections in colonial terms, nor to emphasise the role of Thasos. Instead, we see Adzhiyska Vodenitsa as a Thracian city with a mixed population, under Odrysian economic and political control. The idea about a Thasian emporion opened opportunities for research over the past 37 years. We hope that re-evaluating this hypothesis will likewise move our understanding of the site forward, and open new avenues for interpretation
Iron fibulae with bronze inlay from the Early Iron Age in Thrace
Full text linkAn exceptional typological variety of fibulae was established in Thrace in the Early Iron Age. They are made mainly of bronze, less often of iron, but there are also known examples of precious metals. A precise classification of the fibulae discovered in Bulgaria was created as early as the end of the 1970s. Since then, a significant database of Thracian fibulae has been accumulated, containing new types and variants. It is also very useful in outlining the distribution of the main classes of these artefacts. Among the Early Iron Age fibulae, a group of iron fibulae is noteworthy, whose bows are decorated with three spheres, often inlaid with bronze threads. The main area of distribution, and probably production, of this type of fibulae is South Thrace and more precisely the Rhodope Mountains. A series of such fibulae have been found in another relatively remote area in present-day northeast Bulgaria. Most of the finds come from necropolises – mainly from graves in tumuli, but also from dolmens and rock tombs. The aim of this article is to present this type of fibulae by specifying the chronological framework, to provide data on the technology of their manufacture and to trace their dispersion in the lands of the Thracians and their neighbours
Керамика и общество в древна Тракия (VI–IV в. пр.Хр.): Pottery and society in ancient Thrace (6th–4th c. BC)
No full textCeramic artefacts offer important clues for the society and economy of ancient Thrace. This study considers the three most important pottery categories in ancient Thrace between the 6th and 4th c. BC – local wheel made monochrome pottery, imported trade amphorae and Greek tableware, offering some new insights and perspectives.
The monochrome pottery with its universality and common repertory demonstrates the cultural homogeneity of the Thracian tribal communities. Despite its predominantly decentralised production targeting small territories, it was widely traded and represented an important element in the creation of a sustainable internal market. The monochrome vases were presumably for common use, but some specially designed articles, ostensibly intended for elite consumers, are also attested. Other major ceramic commercial products like transport amphorae containing different commodities and Greek tableware were evidently imported in exchange for the exported agricultural produce, livestock, raw materials or other goods. They reached their Thracian end users as a result of trade deals which contributed to the advancement of a monetary market. A definite preference of the Thracian consumers for the commodities in amphorae over the fine table wares can be established, the latter being mostly associated with the aristocratic elite and other affluent Thracians.
The evidence for ceramic production and trade implies that from the 6th c. BC onwards the social structure of the Thracian population included distinct groups of artisans and merchants. A serious differentiation in regard to the economic means and the level of consumer living standards evidently existed among the wider social strata
Международна конференция „Светове от камък: интердисциплинарни проучвания на каменни сечива“, 15–19 септември 2025 г., Солун, Гърция: International conference “Worlds of Stone: interdisciplinary approaches of ground stone technologies”, 15th–19th September 2025, Thessaloniki, Greece
No full textАрхеологически паметници в прохода Траянови врата (според данни от османската епоха и съвременни археологически проучвания): Archaeological sites in the Trajan’s Gate Pass (according to data from the Ottoman period and modern archaeological research)
No full textThis article examines the historical topography of the Trajan’s Gate Pass (Bulgaria) from late antiquity to the early modern period, with particular emphasis on evidence from 16th–18th c. AD travel accounts. Although the pass is one of the most frequently mentioned places in pre-modern European itineraries across the Balkans, its archaeological record remains poorly documented. Through a critical reading of written sources, combined with spatial analysis and field observations, the study reassesses the location, chronology, and function of key features within the pass, including fortified sites, roadside facilities, and the Ottoman-period „palanka“ installations.
The paper argues that the early Ottoman settlement of Vetren was originally situated on the saddle known as Palankata, rather than at the site of the modern town of Vetren, to which it was relocated during the early 17th c. AD. This reinterpretation is further supported by detailed accounts of distances, elevations, and visual references preserved in travel narratives. The study also draws attention to the existence of multiple, now-lost fortifications and infrastructure along the route.
Despite its significance for long-distance communication between Constantinople and Central Europe, the area has seen very limited archaeological investigation. The article highlights the urgency of systematic research, given the accelerating destruction of archaeological remains
Гробни находки от римския период във фонда на Исторически музей – Нова Загора: Finds from Roman burials in the collection of the History Museum – Nova Zagora
No full textThe article presents and analyses artefacts from the collection of the Historical Museum – Nova Zagora. The location of the finds is well-documented, and in most cases, there is information about the context of their discovery. All artefacts originate from grave assemblages dating to the Roman period. The most prevalent finds are ceramic vessels, including cups, amphorae, craters and bowls. However, there are also several glass and metal objects present, such as a glass guttus, bronze applications for toilet chests, a bronze patera, a bronze oinochoe, as well as an iron sword and an iron shield umbo. The published finds, in conjunction with the limited information regarding their discovery context serve to complement extant theories concerning the funeral rites of the local Thracian population during the Roman period. To date, no evidence has been found in these regions of Ancient Thrace of the ritual practice of bending an iron sword before placing it in the grave
Късноантичната фортификация на Трансмариска Рецензия на книга: Люба Трайкова. Късноантичната фортификация на Трансмариска на Долен Дунав (по археологически данни). Archaeologia Bulgarica Supplements, vol. 7, 2024, ISBN 978-619-92330-9-2: Late antique fortification of Transmariska Book review: Lyuba Traykova. Late antique fortification of Transmariska on the Lower Danube (according to archaeological data). Archaeologia Bulgarica Supplements, vol. 7, 2024, ISBN 978-619-92330-9-2
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