Thracian MasterpieceThe Golyama Arsenalka, a Thracian burial tomb, stands out in the Valley of the Thracian Rulers. Discovered by Georgi Kitov, its unique domed chamber sets it apart. Located near Shipka and Sheynovo, this tomb is a marvel of Thracian architecture.Grand DesignFinely worked granite blocks form the tomb’s core. A domed chamber dominates, flanked by…
Tombs
Tombs are structures built to house the dead. In ancient cultures, tombs were often grand and elaborate, filled with items for the afterlife. Some famous examples include the Egyptian pyramids and the tombs of Chinese emperors
Thracian tomb Griffins
Overview of the Griffin Mound TombLocated in Bulgaria’s Stara Zagora Province, between the town of Shipka and the village of Sheynovo, lies the Griffin Mound Tomb. Dating back to the late 5th to early 4th century BC, this tomb falls within the Thracian era. A team led by Associate Professor Georgi Kitov discovered the Griffin…
Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak
Overview of the Thracian Tomb of KazanlakThe Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak is located near Kazanlak, Bulgaria. It is a vaulted-brickwork “beehive” tomb. This site is part of a large royal Thracian necropolis. The necropolis lies in the Valley of the Thracian Rulers near Seuthopolis. Over a thousand tombs are in this region. The tomb dates…
Thracian tomb Shushmanets
The Thracian tomb at Shushmanets sits in the Valley of the Thracian Rulers. Built in the 4th century BC, it started as a temple and later became a tomb.Unique ArchitectureThe temple features a long, wide entry corridor. An antechamber follows, with a semi-cylindrical room supported by an elegant column. This column’s top resembles a knucklebone….
Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari
Overview of the Thracian Tomb of SvestariThe Thracian Tomb of Svestari lies 2.5 kilometers southwest of Sveshtari village in Razgrad Province, northeast Bulgaria. This site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, likely served as the burial place for King Dromichaetes and his wife, around 300 to 280 BC. Dromichaetes ruled the Getae, a Thracian tribe, across…
Thracian tomb Helvetia
Discovery of Helvetia MoundOn July 26, 1996, the Helvetia Mound emerged as a significant archaeological find. The TEMP expedition, under the leadership of Assoc. Georgi Kitov, uncovered this Thracian cult building. It lies in the Valley of the Thracian Rulers, forming part of the Shushmanets mound necropolis near Shipka.Architectural Features of Helvetia MoundThe tomb within…