Colonia Ulpia Traiana Ratiaria 2009-2011
Situated on the banks of the Danube in north western Bulgaria, the ancient city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana Ratiaria was considered one of the most important Roman and Early Byzantine centres in the region. The last 20 years, however, Ratiaria was left to the mercy of looters. Bulgarian Archaeological Association was the first organization which wich start fighting to protect this very important archaeological site. We successfully manage to reopen the archaeological digs and to open a long term project for excavation and preservation of the city.
Conbustica 2008-2011. Roman Military Camp
By the first century A.D., the Romans had expanded their imperial reach into the eastern Balkans. Among the many forts and towns they established in the region was the impressive fort of Conbustica, located in the northwest region of modern-day Bulgaria. The fort, situated on a plateau overlooking two major river valleys, was strategically positioned on the main road through the Roman province of Moesia. Conbustica is even recorded on the Peutingerian Table, a schematic first-century A.D. map of the Roman world.
The Roman villa was first discovered by archaeologists in 2002 and further buildings excavated during 2003 and 2004 in the north-west part of the site. Recent excavations have traced out the measurements of the site. New foundations of rectangular premises were discovered including the remains of a Roman bath. A rich array of finds, including bronze and copper coins, has enabled the archaeologists to identify two periods of habitation: 4th century AD. Traces of an extensive fire mark the demolition of the buildings and the end of habitation at the site.
Mezdra 2003-2007. Roman sanctuary and fortress
The fortification of the fortress was build in the Roman Ages and nowadays it represent one of the earliest well preserved Roman military buildings on the Balkan Peninsula. The biggest question related to the history of this site is the presence of numerous artifacts improved functioning of the Roman Sanctuary in this place. Through 2006 the archaeologists found several architectural details with certain provenance from Antique temple. The specialists dated these artifacts to the 2 century AD. How these evidences refer to the existence of the fortress is the curiosity problem that will append new facts to the history of the Roman province Moesia.
Augusta 2003. Early Roman castle and Late Antique city
Augusta was mentioned in some Roman and early-Byzantine sources, as follows: "The Map of Refftinger", "A Guide of Emperor Antonin", "A List of the Official Ranges in the Roman Empire", "About the Buildings" - Prokopi Kessariyski, "Geography" - an unknown author from Ravena and "World History" - by Teophilact Simokata.
Zaminets 2003. Late Copper Age settlement
The prehistoric settlement of Zaminec represents a typical example for settlement structures covering for more than 1000 years the whole Balkan area (5000-4000 BC). What is more it keeps evidences for the invasion of steppe tribes that destroyed flourishing Balkan civilizations of Copper age in the end of fifth millennium BC.
Ochin dol 2002. Early-Christian Church
The village of Ochindol is 8 km away from the main road Sofia-Mezdra and is situated up in the mountains. It is small and picturesque and offers the visitor the quietness and the charm of the authentic well-preserved rustic everyday life and traditions.
Ohoden 2002-2005. Early Neolithic settlement
The settlement OHODEN-VALOGA is the first closed settlement complex found in Bulgaria dating back to the Monochrome phase of the Early Balkan Neolithic (6400-6300 BC). It could be synchronized with Protostarcevo phase of Neolithic culture found on the territory of Serbia. In 2002 was studied the first dugout house (among 10 registered during the spring expedition).
Harmanly 2000. Thracian tumulus from the Roman period
Our knowledge about the material and spiritual culture of the Thracians is based to a great extent on investigating the tumuli which are the closed archaeological complexes. On the basis of the burials it is possible to observe a preserved ritual related to one of the most important events in the Tracians' life - the death. The reconstruction of all details of the burial practices is a very important task allowing us to approximate the ideology of these tribes died out from a long time.