The start of archeological summer 2008 in the region of Sliven was marked by new discoveries and finds. While excavating a Thracian tumulus near the Bulgarian southeastern village of Staro Selo, Dr Georgi Kitov’s team, who have been studying the antique tombstones in the region for a second successive year, has discovered a wall of stone blocks, surrounding the tumulus. It is supposed that the site was a “sanctuary of the Sun” dating to the Roman epoch – II-III c. AD.
Archeologist Georgi Kitov, head of the Thracian Expedition for Tumular Investigations team, in an interview with Focus – Sliven Radio.


FOCUS: Dr Kitov, on June 5th you started excavating near the village of Staro Selo. You have already discovered valuable finds. Would you give us further details?
Dr Georgi Kitov: The tumulus near the village of Staro Selo is called Drumeva. It has been named after the village mayor Ms Anka Drumeva. The excavations began on June 5th. We have examined a stone wall and five graves, which date back to the Roman epoch and Middle Ages. The tumulus is surrounded by a stone wall, which was at least 2,5 meters in height. Only two rows have been preserved; the third one has fallen aside. Still, I think we will be able to reconstruct it and turn the place into an attractive tourist site.

FOCUS: What century does the find date back?
Dr Georgi Kitov: The wall dates back to the II c AD, the Roman epoch. It was built by Thracians. There are six II-century graves. They are very interesting – some of them are surrounded by bricks and covered with tiles. The bones are well preserved. So far we have discovered two gold earrings, three bronze rings and two silver bracelets.

FOCUS: You mentioned a very interesting and valuable find – valuable because it is very rare.
Dr Georgi Kitov: Yes, that is right. In one of the graves in the tumulus we discovered bones, most probably of a Thracian doctor priest. While excavating the grave of the distinguished Thracian, we found out a stone plate for grinding medicines with some substance left on it. However, a test conducted at the Military Medical Academy was not able to name the substance because it had been buried underground for too long. The doctor was a well-off person because we discovered also two gold earrings and two silver bracelets for a belt. These bracelets most probably were used for fixing the Thracian’s cloak or mantle. There was a coin in the mouth of the skeleton. Mythology says that with this coin in the mouth the dead person has to pay his or her travel along the Styx River. The grave is coated with bricks and tiles. The find is valuable because this is the fifth grave of an ancient doctor discovered in Bulgaria. Three of them are near the southeastern village of Karanovo, municipality of Nova Zagora, and one is in the southeastern village of Madrets, municipality of Galabovo.

FOCUS: What are your expectations for this archeological summer?
Dr Georgi Kitov: You cannot forecast archeology. I hope the summer will be rich. It started well and I hope it will continue in the same way.

FOCUS: You are now studying the region around the village of Staro Selo. What is ahead?
Dr Georgi Kitov: We have a few other tumuli near the village of Staro Selo and then we will work near the southeastern village of Krushare, municipality of Sliven.

FOCUS: Where will the finds be displayed?
Dr Georgi Kitov: All finds that will be excavated this summer by Thracian Expedition for Tumular Investigations team will be displayed in the Regional History Museum in the town of Sliven. The excavation site, which is 300 meters away from Sofia-Burgas main road, can also be visited.

FOCUS: Did you notice traces of treasure hunting in the region?
Dr Georgi Kitov: I noticed some traces of treasure hunters, but they did not manage to find anything in this tumulus. As a whole, it seems to me that treasure hunting has decreased over the last year.