Temporary exhibition “Bulgarian Archaeology 2024”

For eighteenth consecutive year, the National Archaeological Institute with Museum organizes the temporary exhibition “Bulgarian Archaeology”. Traditionally, it presents the results from the last season of archaeological fieldwork by displaying some of the most interesting finds along with extensive illustrative material. This year, 19 museums of history and archaeology in the country participate with finds, and are co-organizers of the event: National History Museum, Regional Archaeological Museum Plovdiv, the regional history museums in Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Ruse, Shumen, Archaeological Museum “Ancient Nessebar”, Archaeological Museum “Mechislav Domaradski” in Septemvri, the archaeological museums in Sandanski and Sozopol, the history museums in Gotse Delchev, Dalgopol, Kavarna, Petrich, Provadia, Sredets and Topolovgrad.

The exhibition presents more than 500 artefacts from a total of 32 archaeological sites of different type and chronology, ranging from the Prehistory to the Late Middle Ages. Among these are the long-term investigations of the prehistoric tells of Provadia, Poroy and Kozareva Mogila, the world-famous Varna Chalcolithic Necropolis, the ancient Greek colonies of Apollonia Pontica (Sozopol) and Emporion Pistiros, the Roman towns Deultum, Heraclea Sinitica and Ratiaria, the medieval towns Tarnovo, Urvich and Melnik. The exhibition includes also sites of large-scale rescue archaeological excavations due to the development of the gas transmission network of Bulgartransgaz EAD and other projects. Among these are the prehistoric settlement near Dalgopol, burial mounds from the Bronze Age and Roman period in Varna region, and the southern necropolis of Philippopol (Plovdiv).

Of particular interest in terms of scientific results and finds are those of the burial mound near the village of Kapitan Petko Voivoda, Topolovgrad municipality, and the sanctuary of Apollo on Alamura peak, village of Rakitnitsa, Stara Zagora municipality. Some of the most impressive finds are prehistoric gold adornments from the Varna Necropolis, imported vessels from the necropolis of Apollonia, exquisite gold adornments from the burial mound at Kapitan Petko Voivoda, bronze figurines and votive reliefs form the sanctuary on Alamura peak, a richly decorated glass bottle from Deultum, a head of a marble statue from Heraclea Sintica, adornments from Ratiaria, as well as a stone “egg” with incised signs from the medieval settlement at Kavlaklak locality, Novi Pazar town, an encolpion cross with a depiction of the Virgin from Trapezitsa (Tarnovo).

The discovery context of all these finds, as well as the results of a number of investigations carried out in 2024, are presented as posters illustrating almost 50 archaeological sites.

The exhibition “Bulgarian Archaeology 2024” will be on display in the Central Hall of NAIM from 15 February until 8 June 2025.