Exhibit of the month – May 2025

Richly decorated glass bottle

Grave 294. After 138 AD

Southern necropolis of the Roman colony of Deultum

Photo: Dobrina Harbalieva; drawing: Ivo Cholakov

The southern necropolis of the Roman colony of Deultum has been studied for six seasons by rescue excavations. It is located approx. 1.2 km south of the Roman colony, across the Sredetska River and falls within the territory of the village of Debelt, Sredets municipality, Burgas region. A total of 130 new graves were investigated in 2024. Various grave goods have been discovered including ceramic and glass vessels, as well as coins, toiletries, personal belongings of the buried individuals and parts of their clothing. Among the most interesting and rare finds is a richly decorated glass bottle.

The exhibit is part of the temporary exhibition “Bulgarian archaeology 2024” and is on display in the Central Hall of the National Archaeological Museum until June 8th, 2025.

Костова, К., Чолаков, И. 2025. Южният некропол на римската колония Деултум. В: Бояджиев, К., Иванова, Н. (ред.) Българска археология 2024. Каталог към изложба. София, 46–47.