The archaeological teams directed by experts of the Institute of Archaeology and Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences now excavate more than forty archaeological sites in Bulgaria. These include the Paleolithic site in the Kozarnika Cave, near Belogradchik; prehistoric sites at Yunatsite, near Pazardzhik, Kovacevo, near Sandanski, and Lyubimets; Thracian tumuli in the regions of Kazanlak, Pirdop, Yambol, Razgrad, and Sozopol; Thracian pit sanctuaries at Svilengrad and Yabalkovo, near Dimitrovgrad; the iron mining site at Kushkaya, near Lyubimets; the cemetery of Apollonia in Sozopol; the Roman cities of Nove (near Svishtov), Deultum (near Burgas), Oescus (at Gigen, near Pleven); the Roman and medieval Perperikon at Kardzhali; the late Roman fortress at Mezdra; the old Bulgarian capitals of Pliska and Preslav as well as their hinterland; the medieval cities of Messambria, Melnik and Provadia. Of special importance are the salvage excavations of sites, which would be otherwise partially destroyed by the new railroad Plovdiv – Kapitan Andreevo and the Maritsa Highway. Current archaeological season confirms the leading role of the Institute of Archaeology and Museum at the BAS in the exploration and protection of the Bulgarian archaeological heritage.