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Thracian tomb of Aleksandrovo

41°58′47″N 25°44′17″E / 41.97972°N 25.73806°E / 41.97972; 25.73806

Hunting scene on the main chamber fresco

The Aleksandrovo tomb is a Thracian burial mound and tomb excavated near Aleksandrovo, Haskovo Province, South-Eastern Bulgaria, dated to c. 4th century BCE.

On December 17, 2000, the tomb was accidentally uncovered by an earth-moving machine.[1] Looters subsequently entered the tomb, damaging some of its frescoes. In 2001 Bulgarian archaeologist Georgi Kitov led a rescue excavation of the tomb, discovering a round chamber of about 3 meters (9.8 ft) in diameter, accessible through a small antechamber and a tunnel, approximately 6 meters (20 ft) long. Both the antechamber and main chamber are decorated with well-preserved frescoes that reflect the artist's knowledge of Late Classical and Early Hellenistic art.[2] The fresco in the main chamber depicts a hunting scene where a boar is attacked by a mounted hunter and a naked man wielding a double-axe. The double-axe is interpreted as representing royal power,[1] the naked man as representing Zalmoxis,[3][4] the Thracian solar god corresponding to Zeus.[3][4]

A graffito in the chamber inscribed with the Thracian name Kozemases indicates either the tomb's noble patron[2] or its artist.[5]

The Thracian tomb of Alexandrovo is dated at early 4th century BCE.[6] Wall paintings exhibit the change in appearance due to Greek influence.[6] In the wall-paintings beards, tattoos, cloaks, boots, hats, top-knots have disappeared.[6] Greek footwear replaces their boots.[6] The tomb may be that of Triballi.[7]

Also other changes are seen such as Thracians wearing gold or bronze torcs around their necks (usually three).[6]

Nowadays, the original tomb has been preserved and closed for visitors but exact replica was built and presented in the The Museum Center of Thracian art in Rhodope Mountain. The replica showcase the magnificent Thracian frescoes depicting their lifestyle in a distinctive "authentically Thracian art style".

In 2021, The tomb and The Museum Center of Thracian art in Rhodope Mountain was awarded European Heritage Label and became the first Bulgarian site to receive the honor.

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Webber, Christopher. "The Alexandrovo Tomb and other Recent Discoveries", Slingshot 216, July 2001, pp. 47-I–50
  2. ^ a b Theodossiev, Nikola, "The tholos tomb at Alexandrovo: Thracian funerary paintings in a broader context" Archived 2008-04-02 at the Wayback Machine, 2005
  3. ^ a b Wagner, Hans (5 August 2004). "Die Thraker". Eurasisches Magazin (in German). Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b Dimitrov, Kalin (12 September 2008). "Thracian tomb of Aleksandrovo". Chain. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  5. ^ Petrov, Irko. "The Thracian Tomb in Aleksandrovo" Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine, Haskovo, 2007
  6. ^ a b c d e The Thracians 700 BC–AD 46 (Men-at-Arms) by Christopher Webber and Angus McBride, 2001, ISBN 1841763292, p. 19
  7. ^ The Cambridge Ancient History, Volume 6: "The Fourth Century BC" (Hardcover) by D. M. Lewis, ISBN 0521233488, 1994, p. 463
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