A team of archaeologists from the Regional History Museum in Varna have discovered the remains of a Roman chariot during excavations of a necropolis mound on the route of a planned gas pipeline in Bulgaria’s Varna Province.

Previous studies in the area found evidence of Bronze Age activity, however, the mound dates from the 2nd and early 3rd century AD during the Roman period.

According to the researchers, the mound was built in multiple stages, with the construction of an initial mound covered with marl (an earthy material rich in carbonate minerals, clays, and silt), which was then expanded with the addition of domed stone structures.

Within the mound are cremation pits where the deceased were placed on wooden beds, cremated, and then the pits were backfilled. Based on the concentration of burials, the archaeologists suggest that the necropolis served a large community rather than a family setting, especially given the proximity of a nearby Roman settlement.

Remains of the Roman chariot – Image Credit : BTA

Cremations were a typical funerary practice in the Roman period, and the grave goods provide insights into the social status of the deceased. Although no gold was discovered, archaeologists found ceramic and glass vessels, iron and bronze artefacts, as well as several Roman coins.

The most notable find is a two-wheeled Roman chariot known as a biga, which was found buried alongside the remains of a horse. These chariots were typically used for sports, transportation, and ceremonies, and are a common symbol featured on Roman coins.

Although Roman chariots are not unheard of in Bulgaria, this is the first such discovery in the Varna region. Based on the high level of preservation, Dr. Slavchev from the Regional History Museum in Varna suggests that it may be possible to reconstruct the chariot for public display.

Header Image Credit : BTA

Sources : BTA – Bulgarian News Agency

This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com – © 2023 – HeritageDaily

Archaeologists have unearthed a ritual pit containing ceremonial objects during excavations at Solnitsa in the Varna region of Bulgaria.

Solnitsa, meaning “Saltworks” was a fortified prehistoric settlement that emerged around 4,000 to 4,200 BC during the Chalcolithic (Copper Age) period.

The prosperity of the settlement was due to a ceramic and salt production industry – salt being a valued commodity that Solnitsa exported throughout the Balkans.

The inhabitants collected brine from the salt springs near the present-day city of Provadia, which was then placed into ceramic jars positioned in a linear formation in a shallow pit.

Image Credit : iStock

A fire was lit in the space between the jars, which raised the temperature of the brine to boiling point and left a semi-dry layer of salt.

As the process became more refined, dedicated furnaces were developed for industrial salt production, which could regulate internal temperatures and produce up to 30 Kilograms of salt from a single loading.

The settlement suffered extensive damage from a series of major earthquakes, leading to the collapse of its defensive structures and a decline in the salt production that fuelled Solnitsata’s economy.

Image Credit : BTA

Recent excavations conducted adjacent to the central citadel have unearthed a pit containing ceremonial offerings. Among the objects is a zoomorphic ceramic vessel depicting the form of a bull, often seen to represent strength and fertility in Europe’s Neolithic/Chalcolithic cultures.

The pit also contained an intact preserved vessel with geometric patterns, anthropomorphic miniatures of people, and objects made from bone or ceramics.

Ongoing excavations have also recently uncovered the remains of several ancient dwellings, in addition to part of a high status Thracian house that dates from many centuries later.

Header Image Credit : iStock

Sources : BTA – Bulgarian News Agency

This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com – © 2023 – HeritageDaily