Two tombs to be excavated at Perperikon site

Excavation of two previously unopened tombs at Bulgaria’s ancient sacred site of Perperikon was to begin on August 15 2012, archaeology professor Nikolai Ovcharov said. 

Excavation of two tombs to begin at Bulgaria’s Perperikon [Credit:  Nenko Lazarov]

The two tombs are made of large stone blocks. Ovcharov said that they were expected to provide very important information about the history of Perperikon in the Middle Ages. 

This archaeological season, digs are taking place in the acropolis of the site, where Ovcharov’s team of archaeologists expects to find the Episcopal residence of the 13th to 14th century. 

So far, archaeologists have discovered more than 100 graves from the 13th to 14th century. A further 15 are to be explored. 

Ovcharov said that a week ago, some of the golden treasure of the bishops of Perperikon had been discovered, 11 gold and six silver coins. 

This was part of a treasure, part of which was removed about 20 years ago by looters. Ovcharov said that the treasure originally had included about 50 gold coins. 

Source: Sofia Globe [August 15, 2012]