During construction work in Bulgaria, a Thracian sanctuary was discovered. This archaeological site dating back to 2,500 years was probably used by Thracian tribal groups for ritual purposes. The discovery will help experts better understand this nation, which was often the enemy of the Greeks and then the Romans.
The sanctuary was found in the city of Burgas on the Black Sea coast between two apartment buildings. Archaeologists investigated this place and came to the conclusion that it was used by the Thracians. The sanctuary is a complex of several pits where ritual sacrifices were made to the gods.
A large number of fragments of ancient ceramic amphorae and bowls were found at the excavation site. It was found that the artifacts date back to the 5th and 4th centuries BC. In addition, human skeletons and animal bones were found, as well as layers of charcoal, indicating that sacrifices were carried out.
Some of the items indicate that the locals were actively involved in handicrafts. Miroslav Klasnakov from the Local History Museum noted that about 80% of the ceramics found in this place were handmade by local residents.
The find provides evidence of the rituals and beliefs of the Thracians, an Indo-European tribe that dominated most of the northern Balkans and was represented in the northwest of Asia Minor. Many Thracians were united in the Odrysian kingdom, which became part of the Macedonian Empire, but later regained its independence after the Celtic invasion of the Balkans (3rd century BC). The Thracian culture was heavily influenced by the Persian and Greek cultures.
Perhaps the most famous Thracian is Spartacus, who led the most successful slave revolt against the Romans in the 1st century BC.
Herodotus wrote about the burial customs of the Thracians as follows: “The body of the deceased is exposed for three days. At the same time, sacrificial animals of all kinds are slaughtered and after the funeral cries they arrange a funeral feast. Then the body is burned or in some other way buried and, having poured a mound, they arrange various competitions. The highest awards are assigned for single combat, depending on the importance of the competition. These are the burial customs of the Thracians."
Objects of later periods were also found at the excavation site, including a coin from the 1st century BC. NS. with the image of Apollonius, the son of Epteikent and the strategist of the Thracian king Remetalka II. This may indicate that the sanctuary has been in use for centuries. Investigations at the site are ongoing.