On 14 February 2020, the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM at BAS) presented the thirteenth national archaeological exhibition “Bulgarian Archaeology 2019”. By tradition, the exhibition presents the most interesting finds and a wealth of illustrative material from the fieldwork of Bulgarian archaeologists in the previous year.
The opening ceremony was attended by Amelia Gesheva, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria, Assoc. Prof. Todor Chobanov, Deputy Mayor of Sofia Municipality, Prof. Julian Revalski, full member of the Academy and President of BAS, Corr.-Mem. Vassil Nikolov, Vice-President of BAS, diplomatic representatives.
The exhibition is traditionally opened on February14th, Archeologist’s Day. “For the first time in Bulgaria, there were so many rescue studies and so many sites were investigated,” said the director of NAIM at BAS, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hristo Popov, adding: “Permits issued for archaeological studies are over 500. The projects for strategically important studies supported by the Ministry of Culture are over 120. Sofia municipality has also contributed to the studies of the capital’s cultural and historical heritage.”
“Being an archaeologist is first and foremost a passion – the passion to risk learning more of the unknown”, expressed her admiration and gratitude to Bulgarian archaeologists Deputy Minister Amelia Gesheva. “2020 will not be easy. More funds have been provided for archaeological excavations,” she added.
Assoc. Prof. Todor Chobanov, PhD made a commitment on behalf of the Sofia Municipality to support NAIM at BAS in all the studies conducted on the territory of the municipality.
The Bulgarian Archaeology 2019 exhibition presents over 300 exhibits from 26 sites and posters on studies from the early Prehistory to the Middle Ages. These include the ongoing explorations of Kozarnika and Bacho Kiro caves; the Neolithic settlement of Slatina, Sofia; the prehistoric settlement mounds Yunatsite and Kozareva mogila; the Late Bronze Age necropolis at Baley; the Greek colony of Apollonia, Sozopol; the medieval cities of Veliko Tarnovo, Kaliakra and Perperikon. Also presented are objects of rescue archaeological excavations along the “Balkan Stream” gas pipeline, interconnector Stara Zagora – Komotini and Hemus highway, from poorly explored or unexplored sites in northwestern Bulgaria. Among them, Gramada, Vidin; Vladinya, Lovech district; Stamboliyski and Orlovo, Haskovo, are impressive. Interesting multi-layered sites inhabited during different eras have been explored. An example of such a site is Gramada which encompasses prehistoric settlements from the Neolithic and Bronze Age, a Roman villa and necropolis to it, a medieval settlement and necropolis.
Among the most impressive finds are anthropomorphic figurines and dishes from Stamboliyski and Orlovo, a bone needle with the head of an animal from Slatina, a decorated statuette from Baley, a ceramic phial and silver torque, a breastplate and a ring from Vladinya, a bronze statuette of a ram from Apollonia, a gold phalera from Almus, a bronze belt from Golemantsi, a cross-reliquary from Perperikon, a collective find of silver coins from Tarnovo and a gold ring-seal from Kaliakra.
The 13th “Bulgarian Archaeology” exhibition was made possible by the partnership support of 17 historical and archaeological museums in the country which provided finds from their holdings. These are: the National History Museum, the Regional History Museums in Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Kardzhali, Lovech, Pazardzhik, Smolyan, Sofia, Haskovo, Shoumen and Yambol, the “Ancient Nessebar” Archaeological Museum and the history museums in Belogradchik, Dryanovo, Kavarna, Lom and Sevlievo.
“Bulgarian Archaeology 2019” will be open to visitors from 15 February to 26 April 2020 in NAIM Temporary Exhibitions Hall at 1, Atanas Burov Sq.
