A built vaulted tomb with a lavish inventory was discovered by the archeologists from the Historical Museum in Nova Zagora
• Two silver cups with images of the god of love Eros are among the most valuable objects discovered so far
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* The tomb is part of a funeral complex along with the four-wheel chariot discovered by archeologist Vesselin Ignatov in 2008.
A build vaulted tomb of 3 by 4 meters’ size of a Thracian aristocrat from the last decades of the 1st Century and the first ones of the 2nd Century AD were discovered by the team of archeologist Vesselin Ignatov on the land of the village of Karanovo, Municipality of Nova Zagora.
The funeral was extremely rich if one can judge by the farewell presents found out when excavation activities started. Two silver cups with images of the god of love, Eros, and unique glass vessels are among the most valuable objects discovered so far. The funeral inventory discovered so far comprises of a bronze jug, a bowl with a handle, patera with a handle resembling a ram’s head, a chandelier (a big bronze candlestick), oynohoe (a bronze jug), clay balsams, a set of 5 strigils with a strigils-holder (a set of crescent-shaped bronze sharp blades for personal hygiene of athletes and warriors), etc.
The availability of 2 pieces of umbo (the metal bulge of the shield) which suggest that probably weapons of the buried aristocrat – swords, spears, etc. – will be discovered in the tomb. Vesselin Ignatov thinks that among the finds there will be an ink-pot, a lamp, a little chair, probably a personal set of surgical instruments and other belongings of the distinguished deceased.
Archeologists of the Karanovo 2009-2010 Expedition of the Historical Museum of Nova Zagora are just about the beginning of their research penetrating through layers of soil, filling up the inner side of the chamber after the falling down of the brick vault during ancient times. Most probably, there are still more valuable finds to be discovered in the course of research, Ignatov believes.
By the end of the year at the site where research has been done a shelter would be built under which the archeologists’ work will continue during the forthcoming winter months.
Chariot in the funeral rituals of the Thracians
The presence of a chariot near the tomb of the aristocrat confirms the existence of a special ritual accompanying the laying down of ancient chariots at the funerals of high-born Thracians – laying down of horses, presents, effusions and sacrifices.
After the establishment of the Roman rule on Thracian lands during the 40-ies of the 1st Century till the end of the 2nd Century Thracian aristocracy had a good economic status, a comparative independence and agricultural possessions which offered the opportunity for the distinguished Thracians to own a huge fortune, as well as several chariots, which allowed them “to take away” with them a number of objects to the Kingdom of shadows.
Vesselin Ignatov and the Center for Popularization and Research of the Ancient Chariots
Vesselin Ignatov is a leading European specialist in ancient chariots. In 2007 during excavations in the Triugulnika area he discovered 2 two-wheel chariots while in 2008 – 1 four-wheel chariot again in a mound by Karanovo. Materials and photos for his discoveries are published in the US Magazine “Archeology”.
His dream is to build a Center for Popularization and Research of the ancient chariot which is to preserve and disseminate the history of the Thracian chariots, the biggest finds related to them, the ancient rituals accompanying the laying down of chariots at the funerals, etc.
UBB, the “Cultural Projects” Association and the Municipality of Nova Zagora - in support of the excavations
Financing of the excavations is under the UBB Project “Bulgarian capitals, citadels and relics” which besides the Bulgarian Middle Ages supports scientific and archeological activities related to the heritage of the ancient civilizations on our lands – Thracians, Hellenes and Romans.
United Bulgarian Bank and “Cultural Projects” Association along with the Municipality of Nova Zagora will finance the continuation of the excavations as a part of their joint cooperation launched in September with the exhibition “The Golden Chariot of the Thracians” in Sofia. Additional funds will be searched from public and private organizations.