Exhibit of the month – April 2026

Double-sided stone mould for casting belt and strap appliqués and pectoral crosses.

Second half of the 14th – first half of the 15th century.

In 2025, the 17th archaeological season was carried out in the southern sector of the second citadel of the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom – Trapezitsa. Among the main results is the study of three medieval stone buildings situated one on top of the other. They are a rare example of continuity in the urban environment from the 1230s to the mid-15th century and reflect the development of life in a key area of Trapezitsa near the Southwest Gate and the two main streets.

At the same time, excavations continued at the 14th-century necropolis of Church No. 22, where 29 graves were investigated, as well as at an earlier necropolis dating to the late 13th century, located south of Trapezitsa’s main street. In addition to the three residential buildings and the graves, numerous pits, a metallurgical workshop, and other light structures from the 13th–15th centuries were also studied. All of these yielded numerous finds, including one of the most complex double-sided stone casting moulds from the second half of the 14th to the first half of the 15th century. It attests to advanced artisanal production for the market in Tarnovgrad.

The artefact is part of the temporary exhibition “Bulgarian Archaeology 2025” and is on display at the National Archaeological Museum till June 7, 2026.

Bibliography:

Рабовянов, Д., Цветанов, А., Иванов, И. 2026. Археологически проучвания в Южния сектор на средновековния град Трапезица във Велико Търново. – Бояджиев, К., Иванова, Н. (ред.). Българска археология 2025 – каталог към изложба. Национален археологически музей, Каталози, том XLIII, Серия „Българска археология”, 69 – 71.