Exhibit of the month – May 2026

Possible reconstruction of a string of beads (gold, Spondylus shell, malachite, jet)

Grave of a woman, site 17 near the village of Tranak, Ruen municipality, Burgas region

Late Chalcolithic (second half of the 5th millennium BC)

Conservation, restoration and reconstruction P. Penkova. Photo Ts. Chetashki

The archaeological site (No. 17 on the Looping from Rupcha to Vetrino of the gas transmission infrastructure of Bulgartransgaz EAD) is located in a small valley at the eastern foot of the Varbishka Mountain in the Eastern part of Stara Planina Mountains. The rescue surveys in 2025 were carried out by a team led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krum Bachvarov (NAIM-BAS).

The investigations have revealed a complex archaeological site, preserving traces of human activity from various periods. In the central part of the river terrace, during the 6th–5th millennia BCE, a settlement mound formed, 6–7 meters high and with a base diameter of about 80 meters. The settlement was continuously inhabited from the Early Neolithic through the end of the Chalcolithic period, and during certain periods was additionally protected by ditches. South of the southern ravine, a defensive ditch from the Early Neolithic (early 6th millennium BCE) has been studied. South of it, during the Late Neolithic period, there was an extensive pit complex with over 80 pits. In these pits, local communities in the second half of the 6th millennium BCE “buried” the remains of burnt dwellings and various objects. During the Late Chalcolithic (the second half of the 5th millennium BCE), the same area was used as a necropolis, whose territory extends eastward beyond the surveyed part. Eleven graves of children, women, and men have been discovered, indicating standardized rituals with rich grave goods. Among these are the beads made of gold, Spondylus shell, malachite and jet.

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:

Бъчваров, К., Кацаров, Г., Николова, Н., Цурев, А. 2026. Археологически обект от късната праистория, желязната епоха и Късната античност при с. Трънак, община Руен. – Бояджиев, К., Иванова, Н. (ред.). Българска археология 2025 – каталог към изложба. Национален археологически музей, Каталози, том XLIII, Серия „Българска археология”, 6 – 7.