- Prehistoric Archaeology, Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Bulgarian Neolithic, Neolithic of the Balkans, and 15 moreNeolithic Europe, Balkan Prehistory (Archaeology), Prehistory, Anthropomorphic Figurines, Neolithic, Balkan prehistory, Byzantine Studies, Byzantine Archaeology, Balkan archaeology, Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Prehistoric Settlement, Neolithisation, Neolithisation / Neolithic Revolution, Artificial Intelligence, and Psychologyedit
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
BG text. It is possible to select the text and translation with Google Translate.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Geology, GeoArcheology, Neolithic Archaeology, and 15 moreNeolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Balkan archaeology, Balkan prehistory, Neolithic Europe, 14C dating (Archaeology), Neolithic, Bulgarian archaeology, 14C-dating, Neolithic of the Balkans, Radiocarbon Dating (Archaeology), 14C dating, absolute chronology, Vinča culture, Cultura Dudesti, Vinca culture, and Danube region
The Neo-Eneolithic settlement "Golo Bǎrdo" is located in the "Golo Bǎrdo" locality, falling within the territory of the villages Gradishte and Asenovtsi, Levski Municipality, Pleven District. It is located in the south of the Lower Danube... more
The Neo-Eneolithic settlement "Golo Bǎrdo" is located in the "Golo Bǎrdo" locality, falling within the territory of the villages Gradishte and Asenovtsi, Levski Municipality, Pleven District. It is located in the south of the Lower Danube Valley, on an Osǎm River terrace. The terrain is level, slightly inclined north and north-east.
In the first excavation stage, were plotted 29 test trenches with different length and breadth. Results indicated presence of several consecutive prehistoric settlements on the site, dated to the beginning of the Late Neolithic (the time of the Vinca А3/В1 and the Samovodene – Ovcharovo cultures); the Late Neolithic (the Podgoritsa cultural group); the transition from the Neolithic to the Eneolithic (the Brenica phase of the Gradeshnitsa culture); the Early Eneolithic (the Polyanitsa – Vidra culture).
In the second and the third excavation phase, were excavated 184 archaeological structures – sunken featured buildings and pits with various functions (cult pits, refuse pits, pits for extraction of inert construction raw materials, etc.). The larger sunken features, which could be interpreted as buildings, were spaced 4 to 9 m apart and as a rule had oval plan. We assume these also featured suspended wooden floor superstructures, upon which the ovens were found.
The next phase in the settlement’s development is associated with the Late Neolithic, with structures including ground level and semi-sunken buildings, pits, etc. Notably, also to this period belong designated flint and bone tools processing areas.
The Early Eneolithic phase is registered only in the site’s west sector. The respective structures include destructions of the superstructures of raised buildings, deposits, refuse pits, special purpose pits, pits with deposited burnt wall plaster, etc.
In the first excavation stage, were plotted 29 test trenches with different length and breadth. Results indicated presence of several consecutive prehistoric settlements on the site, dated to the beginning of the Late Neolithic (the time of the Vinca А3/В1 and the Samovodene – Ovcharovo cultures); the Late Neolithic (the Podgoritsa cultural group); the transition from the Neolithic to the Eneolithic (the Brenica phase of the Gradeshnitsa culture); the Early Eneolithic (the Polyanitsa – Vidra culture).
In the second and the third excavation phase, were excavated 184 archaeological structures – sunken featured buildings and pits with various functions (cult pits, refuse pits, pits for extraction of inert construction raw materials, etc.). The larger sunken features, which could be interpreted as buildings, were spaced 4 to 9 m apart and as a rule had oval plan. We assume these also featured suspended wooden floor superstructures, upon which the ovens were found.
The next phase in the settlement’s development is associated with the Late Neolithic, with structures including ground level and semi-sunken buildings, pits, etc. Notably, also to this period belong designated flint and bone tools processing areas.
The Early Eneolithic phase is registered only in the site’s west sector. The respective structures include destructions of the superstructures of raised buildings, deposits, refuse pits, special purpose pits, pits with deposited burnt wall plaster, etc.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Chalcolithic Archaeology, Prehistoric Settlement, and 15 moreBalkan archaeology, Neolithic Europe, European Prehistory (Archaeology), Neolithic, Bulgarian archaeology, Neolithic of the Balkans, Praehistory, Late Neolithic, Vinča culture, Cultura Dudesti, Neolithic of the Near East, Boian culture, Eneolithic cultures, Praehistoric Archaeology, and Neolithic and chalkolithic Archeology
Neolithic Settlement of Koprivets (Archaeological Excavations in 2018) Ivan Vajsov, Volodya Popov The results of the archaeological research in 2018 confirmed the stratigraphic observations made during previous seasons. Three negative... more
Neolithic Settlement of Koprivets (Archaeological Excavations in 2018)
Ivan Vajsov, Volodya Popov
The results of the archaeological research in 2018 confirmed the stratigraphic observations made during previous seasons. Three negative structures were investigated dating from the Early Neolithic, Koprivets Culture (6200–6000 BC); and two more of the same kind – from the Late Neolithic. On the ground, two layers of the Early Neolithic have been clearly distinguished, the lowest being recorded only in the filling of the pits chronologically corresponding to the first phase of Koprivets Culture, and the second one – registered in the space around the pits and also in the upper layers of their filling corresponding to the second phase of the same culture.
In sq. Aa5 and Aa6 the layers from the Early Neolithic are interrupted by two pits from the Late Neolithic (Hotnitsa Culture); and in sq. Aa4 – by a similar one dating from the Bronze Age (structure No. 2018). The nature of the filling of Pit 3 compared to data on deposited daub in Aa2 (structure No. 2019), gives us grounds to identify the dug structures of the Late Neolithic as proving the existence of a specific social practice in the Late Neolithic, referred to in the literature as a "structural deposit". Here, however, there are no facts that speak of a purposeful arrangement of the burned daub (burned clay architectural elements).
Ivan Vajsov, Volodya Popov
The results of the archaeological research in 2018 confirmed the stratigraphic observations made during previous seasons. Three negative structures were investigated dating from the Early Neolithic, Koprivets Culture (6200–6000 BC); and two more of the same kind – from the Late Neolithic. On the ground, two layers of the Early Neolithic have been clearly distinguished, the lowest being recorded only in the filling of the pits chronologically corresponding to the first phase of Koprivets Culture, and the second one – registered in the space around the pits and also in the upper layers of their filling corresponding to the second phase of the same culture.
In sq. Aa5 and Aa6 the layers from the Early Neolithic are interrupted by two pits from the Late Neolithic (Hotnitsa Culture); and in sq. Aa4 – by a similar one dating from the Bronze Age (structure No. 2018). The nature of the filling of Pit 3 compared to data on deposited daub in Aa2 (structure No. 2019), gives us grounds to identify the dug structures of the Late Neolithic as proving the existence of a specific social practice in the Late Neolithic, referred to in the literature as a "structural deposit". Here, however, there are no facts that speak of a purposeful arrangement of the burned daub (burned clay architectural elements).
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Balkan prehistory, and 12 moreNeolithic Transition, Neolithic Europe, European Prehistory (Archaeology), Prehistory, Neolithic, Neolithic of the Balkans, Early Neolithic, Praehistory, Neolitikum, Bulgarian Arthistory, Praehistoric Archaeology, and neolithic settlement structure
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Geoarchaeology, Balkan Prehistory (Archaeology), Aerial Archaeology, and 16 moreArchaeological geophysics (Archaeology), Neolithic Archaeology, Archaeological Geophysics, Balkan prehistory, Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Neolithic Europe, Neolithic, Early Neolithic pottery technology, Aerial Photography, Neolithic of the Balkans, Near Eastern Prehistory, Early Neolithic, Geophysical Prospection, Neolithic antropomorphic statuetes, Neolithic, Balkan prehistory, Bulgarian prehistory, and Neolithisation of Europe
Research Interests:
The site is known under the name of Gorna Manastiritsa situated in the Chakmak tepe locality since the 1930s but after the 1990s it became more popular as Borovo-Magaritsata. In 2015, we carried out a magnetic survey with a 16-probe... more
The site is known under the name of Gorna Manastiritsa situated in the Chakmak tepe locality since the 1930s but after the 1990s it became more popular as Borovo-Magaritsata. In 2015, we carried out a magnetic survey with a 16-probe magnetometer SENSYS MX. The survey was aimed at revealing the plan and the size of the sites. The mag-netogram revealed numerous pointed and linear magnetic anomalies on the entire surveyed area (8 ha). Our preliminary interpretation suggests a two-tiered spatial organization including enclosed core area (0.20-0.27 ha) in the NW part towards the edge of the terrace. It is limited by several linear features and correlations of points with oval to rectangular shape. The pointed anomalies beyond its limits seem to cluster (like pits for preparing clay or postholes) around regularly spaced anomaly-free rectangular spaces, thus possibly marking the edges of houses. The only chronological indicators are provided by the typical Vadastra pottery with excised ornaments found on the surface.
Research Interests:
The excavated area is situated at the N part of Izvor Late Neolithic site. It is located on a low Pleistocene river terrace covered by 1.10-1.60 thick dark smolnitsa soil formed during the Holocene. The archaeological remains form a... more
The excavated area is situated at the N part of Izvor Late Neolithic site. It is located on a low Pleistocene river terrace covered by 1.10-1.60 thick dark smolnitsa soil formed during the Holocene. The archaeological remains form a 0.20-0.70 m thick layer which is badly disturbed. The high concentration of burnt daub pieces, fragmented grinding stones, pottery sherds (including 3 complete vessels) and anthropomorphic figurines unearthed on an area measuring 10 x 4 m and NW-SE oriented provides ground to suggest a probable location of a house at the NE periphery of the settlement. The animal husbandry is dominated by cattle breeding followed by sheep/goat (adults mostly) and pig (1 year old or younger mostly), a ratio suggesting a balanced strategy of supply both of meat and secondary products. The high number of lower limb bones, as well as the lack of higher value meat zones, suggest that the predominant part of the meat was prepared and consumed at another location.
The pottery assemblage reveals similarity to the Vinča B2-Kurilo style.
The test trenches at site 10B were situated at the S part of Izvor Late Neolithic site. The archaeological excavations revealed several interesting contexts situated above ground. Context 13 is a stone concentration and covered 25 sq. m. It comprised several layers of stones including many fragmented grinding stones, pieces of fired daub, potsherds, clay altars, etc. The chipped stone artefacts were found only at the periphery of the context. Context 7B was pyramid-shape and was made from small stones, daub, male anthropomorphic figurines mainly, spindle whorls, potsherds and animal bones. Remains of buildings were documented in several areas of the site, e. g. a corner of a burnt house in sq. F175. Postholes were found all over the site. It seems that the buildings were scattered and there were vast areas between them. The concentrations of artefacts can be interpreted as landmarks. The finds at the northern part of the site are typical for Vinča B2 culture, whereas the artefacts discovered at the southern part can be related to the so-called Vinča-Gradac phase.
The pottery assemblage reveals similarity to the Vinča B2-Kurilo style.
The test trenches at site 10B were situated at the S part of Izvor Late Neolithic site. The archaeological excavations revealed several interesting contexts situated above ground. Context 13 is a stone concentration and covered 25 sq. m. It comprised several layers of stones including many fragmented grinding stones, pieces of fired daub, potsherds, clay altars, etc. The chipped stone artefacts were found only at the periphery of the context. Context 7B was pyramid-shape and was made from small stones, daub, male anthropomorphic figurines mainly, spindle whorls, potsherds and animal bones. Remains of buildings were documented in several areas of the site, e. g. a corner of a burnt house in sq. F175. Postholes were found all over the site. It seems that the buildings were scattered and there were vast areas between them. The concentrations of artefacts can be interpreted as landmarks. The finds at the northern part of the site are typical for Vinča B2 culture, whereas the artefacts discovered at the southern part can be related to the so-called Vinča-Gradac phase.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Art History, Zooarchaeology, Balkan History, and 13 moreNeolithic Archaeology, Balkan archaeology, Balkan prehistory, Neolithic Europe, European Prehistory (Archaeology), Prehistory, Neolithic, Terracotta Figurines, Bulgarian archaeology, Praehistory, Arheologija, Vinca culture, and neolithic settlement structure
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Presentation presented at the LXI National Archaeological Conference in Pleven, Bulgaria. The organizers are the Municipality of Pleven, the Regional History Museum - Pleven and the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the... more
Presentation presented at the LXI National Archaeological Conference in Pleven, Bulgaria. The organizers are the Municipality of Pleven, the Regional History Museum - Pleven and the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM—BAS).
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Neolithic Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Neolithic Europe, and 15 morePrehistoric Figurines, Anthropomorphic Figurines, Bulgarian archaeology, Neolithic of the Balkans, Late Neolithic, Neolithic figurines, Anthropomorphic Figurine Studies, Vinča culture, Cultura Dudesti, Vinca culture, Lower Danube Archaeology, Boian culture, Bone Industry In Praehistiry, Praehistoric Archaeology, and praehistoric settlement
The Neo-Eneolithic settlement "Golo Bǎrdo" is located in the "Golo Bǎrdo" locality, falling within the territory of the villages Gradishte and Asenovtsi, Levski Municipality, Pleven District. It is located in the south of the Lower Danube... more
The Neo-Eneolithic settlement "Golo Bǎrdo" is located in the "Golo Bǎrdo" locality, falling within the territory of the villages Gradishte and Asenovtsi, Levski Municipality, Pleven District. It is located in the south of the Lower Danube Valley, on an Osǎm River terrace. The terrain is level, slightly inclined north and north-east.
In the first excavation stage, were plotted 29 test trenches with different length and breadth. Results indicated presence of several consecutive prehistoric settlements on the site, dated to the beginning of the Late Neolithic (the time of the Vinca А3/В1 and the Samovodene – Ovcharovo cultures); the Late Neolithic (the Podgoritsa cultural group); the transition from the Neolithic to the Eneolithic (the Brenica phase of the Gradeshnitsa culture); the Early Eneolithic (the Polyanitsa – Vidra culture).
In the second and the third excavation phase, were excavated 184 archaeological structures – sunken featured buildings and pits with various functions (cult pits, refuse pits, pits for extraction of inert construction raw materials, etc.). The larger sunken features, which could be interpreted as buildings, were spaced 4 to 9 m apart and as a rule had oval plan. We assume these also featured suspended wooden floor superstructures, upon which the ovens were found.
The next phase in the settlement’s development is associated with the Late Neolithic, with structures including ground level and semi-sunken buildings, pits, etc. Notably, also to this period belong designated flint and bone tools processing areas.
The Early Eneolithic phase is registered only in the site’s west sector. The respective structures include destructions of the superstructures of raised buildings, deposits, refuse pits, special purpose pits, pits with deposited burnt wall plaster, etc.
In the first excavation stage, were plotted 29 test trenches with different length and breadth. Results indicated presence of several consecutive prehistoric settlements on the site, dated to the beginning of the Late Neolithic (the time of the Vinca А3/В1 and the Samovodene – Ovcharovo cultures); the Late Neolithic (the Podgoritsa cultural group); the transition from the Neolithic to the Eneolithic (the Brenica phase of the Gradeshnitsa culture); the Early Eneolithic (the Polyanitsa – Vidra culture).
In the second and the third excavation phase, were excavated 184 archaeological structures – sunken featured buildings and pits with various functions (cult pits, refuse pits, pits for extraction of inert construction raw materials, etc.). The larger sunken features, which could be interpreted as buildings, were spaced 4 to 9 m apart and as a rule had oval plan. We assume these also featured suspended wooden floor superstructures, upon which the ovens were found.
The next phase in the settlement’s development is associated with the Late Neolithic, with structures including ground level and semi-sunken buildings, pits, etc. Notably, also to this period belong designated flint and bone tools processing areas.
The Early Eneolithic phase is registered only in the site’s west sector. The respective structures include destructions of the superstructures of raised buildings, deposits, refuse pits, special purpose pits, pits with deposited burnt wall plaster, etc.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Neolithic & Chalcolithic Archaeology, Chalcolithic Archaeology, Prehistoric Settlement, and 9 moreBalkan archaeology, Balkan prehistory, Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), European Prehistory (Archaeology), Prehistory, Prehistoric Archeology, Bulgarian archaeology, Neolithic of the Balkans, and Eneolithic
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Geoarchaeology, Balkan Prehistory (Archaeology), Archaeological Method & Theory, and 16 moreArchaeological geophysics (Archaeology), Neolithic Archaeology, Archaeological Geophysics, Balkan prehistory, Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Neolithic Europe, Prehistory, Neolithic, Archaeological Excavation, Prehistoric Archeology, Neolithic of the Balkans, Geophysical Prospection, Archaeological excavations, Excavations, Neolithic, Balkan prehistory, Bulgarian prehistory, and Neolithisation of Europe
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Balkan Prehistory (Archaeology), Neolithic Archaeology, Religion and ritual in prehistory, and 19 moreBalkan prehistory, Neolithic Europe, Bulgarian history, Prehistory, Neolithic, Prehistoric Figurines, Archaeological Excavation, Anthropomorphic Figurines, Bulgarian archaeology, Prehistory in the Balkans and eastern mediterranean, Early Neolithic, Middle Neolithic, Late Neolithic, Neolithic of the Balkans, Praehistory, Late Neolithic, Vinča culture, Archaeological excavations, Vinca culture, Excavations, and Neolithic, Balkan prehistory, Bulgarian prehistory
The prehistoric settlement in Golo Bardo locality in the vicinity of the villages of Gradishte and Asenovtsi, Levski Municipality, Pleven Region, is the largest settlement in this region, discovered during the preliminary field surveys... more
The prehistoric settlement in Golo Bardo locality in the vicinity of the villages of Gradishte and Asenovtsi, Levski Municipality, Pleven Region, is the largest settlement in this region, discovered during the preliminary field surveys along the route of the gas pipeline.
The settlement is located in the southern part of the Lower Danube valley, on a river terrace of the river Osam. The terrain is flat, slightly sloping to the north and northeast. The sources of several rivers are located in the immediate vicinity. During the rescue archaeological excavations conducted in 2019 and 2020, part of the site was excavated. Sunken and above-ground structures were revealed. The first human presence at this place dates from the earliest stages of the Late Neolithic (5100 – 4900 BC), when a settlement emerged on an area of about 19 ha. In the material culture, one could observe the presence of a number of new elements, a kind of symbiosis between the western Vinča Culture A3/B1, the northern Dudeşti Culture, and the eastern Samovodene-Ovcharovo Culture. A typical feature of the settlement from this period is the presence of structures dug into the alluvial horizon, some of which could be defined as the remains of semi-dug-out dwellings with thermal facilities at their peripheries. From this period, special areas for the production of flint tools were identified, as well as depots for the extracted raw material. Dog skulls were found deposited in several of the pits, indicating the existence of an unknown Neolithic cult practice. A new type of stylized seated anthropomorphic figurines was discovered here – some of them are bisexual, hermaphroditic images. The fertile soils and abundant water sources provided good conditions for meeting the basic needs of the inhabitants. The discovery of a significant number of standardized sickles made from the antlers of red deer (Cervus elaphus) indicates the practising of intensive agriculture, the production of which probably served not only to meet the needs of the inhabitants of the village, but also for exchange. One of the richest collections of bone tools was discovered in the settlement. It is not clear why this population abandoned the village, but after a short interruption, small groups of new inhabitants resettled here during the Late Neolithic Period (Podgoritsa Cultural Group, 4750 – 4600 BC). To this period, the remains of massive above-ground buildings could be attributed. They were burnt down before the village was abandoned, and the burnt remains were “hidden” in specially prepared pits. Later, the place was inhabited by people that migrated from the west, carriers of the Early Chalcolithic Gradeshnitsa Culture (Brenitsa Phase), and once again during the later phase of the Early Chalcolithic by a population from Polyanitsa/Boyan Culture (4550-4400 BC). At this time, the buildings were already above-ground, with a rectangular shape oriented southeast-northwest. This settlement was destroyed by fire, which is the reason why the place was left for good. To this period belong also two shallow pits, covered inside with large fragments of thick-walled ceramic pithos. In one of them, there was a depot of seven ceramic vessels, and in the other – pottery sherds and a necklace of clay beads.
The settlement is located in the southern part of the Lower Danube valley, on a river terrace of the river Osam. The terrain is flat, slightly sloping to the north and northeast. The sources of several rivers are located in the immediate vicinity. During the rescue archaeological excavations conducted in 2019 and 2020, part of the site was excavated. Sunken and above-ground structures were revealed. The first human presence at this place dates from the earliest stages of the Late Neolithic (5100 – 4900 BC), when a settlement emerged on an area of about 19 ha. In the material culture, one could observe the presence of a number of new elements, a kind of symbiosis between the western Vinča Culture A3/B1, the northern Dudeşti Culture, and the eastern Samovodene-Ovcharovo Culture. A typical feature of the settlement from this period is the presence of structures dug into the alluvial horizon, some of which could be defined as the remains of semi-dug-out dwellings with thermal facilities at their peripheries. From this period, special areas for the production of flint tools were identified, as well as depots for the extracted raw material. Dog skulls were found deposited in several of the pits, indicating the existence of an unknown Neolithic cult practice. A new type of stylized seated anthropomorphic figurines was discovered here – some of them are bisexual, hermaphroditic images. The fertile soils and abundant water sources provided good conditions for meeting the basic needs of the inhabitants. The discovery of a significant number of standardized sickles made from the antlers of red deer (Cervus elaphus) indicates the practising of intensive agriculture, the production of which probably served not only to meet the needs of the inhabitants of the village, but also for exchange. One of the richest collections of bone tools was discovered in the settlement. It is not clear why this population abandoned the village, but after a short interruption, small groups of new inhabitants resettled here during the Late Neolithic Period (Podgoritsa Cultural Group, 4750 – 4600 BC). To this period, the remains of massive above-ground buildings could be attributed. They were burnt down before the village was abandoned, and the burnt remains were “hidden” in specially prepared pits. Later, the place was inhabited by people that migrated from the west, carriers of the Early Chalcolithic Gradeshnitsa Culture (Brenitsa Phase), and once again during the later phase of the Early Chalcolithic by a population from Polyanitsa/Boyan Culture (4550-4400 BC). At this time, the buildings were already above-ground, with a rectangular shape oriented southeast-northwest. This settlement was destroyed by fire, which is the reason why the place was left for good. To this period belong also two shallow pits, covered inside with large fragments of thick-walled ceramic pithos. In one of them, there was a depot of seven ceramic vessels, and in the other – pottery sherds and a necklace of clay beads.