Posted on 07/25/2005 8:16:14 PM PDT by blam
Golden Treasure Unearthed in Bulgaria
By NEVYANA HADJIYSKA,
Associated Press Writer Mon Jul 25, 8:08 AM ET
AP Photo: A Bulgarian archeologist shows a golden wreath of laurels, discovered late Saturday by his team... "
SOFIA, Bulgaria - Archaeologists have unearthed a 2,400-year old golden treasure in an ancient Thracian tomb in eastern Bulgaria, the director of the country's History Museum said Monday.
The gold-rich burial was discovered late on Saturday by a team of archaeologists, working on excavations near the village of Zlatinitsa, some 290 kilometers (180 miles) east of the capital, Sofia.
The most impressive finds included a golden ring and wreath, finely crafted silver rhytons, or horn-shaped drinking vessels, and many golden and silver pieces of armor and horse trappings, Prof. Bozhidar Dimitrov told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.
"This was an extremely rich funeral, suggesting that the buried man could have been a Thracian king," Dimitrov said. "Although he was not buried according to Thracian traditions, all objects of art bear Thracian imagery."
The king's body was laid in a huge wood-paneled pit together with two horses and a dog, while Thracian kings were usually buried in vast stone tombs under huge earth mounds.
The Thracians lived in what is now Bulgaria and parts of modern Greece, Romania, Macedonia and Turkey from 4,000 B.C. to the 8th century A.D., when they were assimilated by the invading Slavs.
"Greek pottery that was also found in the tomb helped us safely date the whole burial to 360-370 B.C.," Dimitrov said.
According to a hypothesis, the newly discovered tomb could have been that of the Thracian governor Seutus, who declared himself king and used Greek mercenaries to oppress local Thracian tribes. His governance was described by the ancient Greek chronicler Xenophontes, Dimitrov said.
"Excavations continue, and new finds literally pop out every 10 minutes," Dimitrov said.
Thousands of Thracian mounds are spread throughout Bulgaria, and archaeological finds suggest that the Thracians established a powerful kingdom in the 5th century B.C. One of their capitals appeared to be the ancient city of Seutopolis, the ruins of which are now drowned under a large artificial lake near the town of Kazanlak, 200 kilometers (120 miles) east of Sofia.
Despite numerous archaeological discoveries, little is known about Thracian rulers, because no inscriptions have been found. Thracians had no alphabet and apparently refused to use Greek letters, Dimitrov said.
Last year, another archaeological expedition discovered two vast Thracian tombs in the Kazanlak region, prompting archaeologists to name it "the Valley of Thracian Kings" in reference to the Valley of Kings near Luxor, Egypt, home to the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs. A 2,400-year-old golden mask was found then, along with many golden artifacts.
Don't we have a posting of last years discovery
"Last year, another archaeological expedition discovered two vast Thracian tombs in the Kazanlak region, prompting archaeologists to name it "the Valley of Thracian Kings" in reference to the Valley of Kings near Luxor, Egypt, home to the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs. A 2,400-year-old golden mask was found then, along with many golden artifacts. "
Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on, off, or alter the "Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list --
Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
The GGG Digest -- Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)
How fascinating. The wreath is fantastic. Thank you for the ping.
in posting order:
Archaeological Discovery in Bulgaria Clue to Ancient Mystery
www.novinite.com | 2003-02-13 | Novinite editorial Staff
Posted on 02/14/2003 1:30:45 PM PST by vannrox
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/843575/posts
Ancient Golden Mask Unearthed (Thracian)
IOL | 8-20-2004
Posted on 08/20/2004 3:54:16 PM PDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1195869/posts
Thracian Owner Of Gold Mask Axe-Chopped
Sofia News Agency (Noinvite) | 5-17-2005
Posted on 05/17/2005 2:56:28 PM PDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1405110/posts
Treasures Fit For A King (Thracians)
Time - Europe | 5-29-2005 | Jumana Farouky
Posted on 05/29/2005 10:35:02 AM PDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1412784/posts
Archaeologists Unearth Part Of 3,500 Year-Old Gold Mask (Orpheus)
Bulgarian News Network. (BBN) | 6-24-2005
Posted on 06/24/2005 10:23:20 AM PDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1429896/posts
Roman Chariots Unearthed in Thrace
Hellenic Communication Service LLC | unknown | Paris Agiomamitis
Posted on 07/02/2005 10:14:29 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1435612/posts
Thracian Gold Found At Tatul Temple
Sofia News Agency | 7-2-2005
Posted on 07/02/2005 4:24:31 PM PDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1435484/posts
You're most welcome. Also check out message #5 for related links.
Thanks for the additional links.
4,000 years BC?
Amazing stuff!
Lots of archeology going on now in areas that were once controlled by the communists.
Wow...4,000+ years and they get 'assimilated.' That...is...amazing!
Neat. Thank you.
very nice.
thanks.
Another lesson in "You can't take it with you".
Thanks, but the truth is, I'm really only the list keeper. The bulk of the topics are contributed by others, and most of those by Blam (one of the co-keepers of the list).
Glad you're here and enjoying 'em!
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