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The grandeur of Bulgarian archaeology often gets overlooked, with much more focus on ancient Egypt and Greece. However, this eastern Balkan nation boasts a history that stretches over thousands of years, hosting numerous powerful civilizations throughout time.
Today, Bulgaria’s land is a treasure trove of ancient relics. Some artifacts are completely unique to this region. Even the Black Sea and the surrounding islands are home to some of the most extraordinary discoveries.
10. The Last Aurochs of Bulgaria
Modern cattle are descendants of a formidable wild bovine known as the aurochs. These creatures could weigh up to 1,100 kilograms (2,425 lb) and boasted deadly horns to match their fierce nature. The species was declared extinct in Poland in 1627 and had already been gone from Bulgaria since the 12th century.
During excavations in 2017 at the renowned Rusocastro Fortress, animal remains dating back to the medieval period (13th–14th century) were uncovered. Among the remains of domesticated and other wild animals were those of slaughtered aurochs. By that time, the wild cattle species was believed to be confined to Poland, Belarus, and Lithuania.
The remains discovered at Rusocastro now position Bulgaria as part of the medieval territories where aurochs once roamed. Evidence suggests that these animals were heavily hunted, despite their difficulty to capture. The fortress’ residents consumed a substantial amount of wild meat, with approximately 25 percent of the bone collection consisting of wild species.
9. A Chariot With Horses
In 2008, a group of archaeologists uncovered a chariot buried deep in ancient Thrace (present-day Bulgaria). Crafted from wood, the chariot was accompanied by two horses positioned as if ready to pull it. A dog was also found among the remains.
The following year, the identity of the lavishly buried individual was revealed. Nearby the chariot, a brick tomb was discovered, containing the remains of a man buried around 1,800–2,000 years ago. His grave goods indicated his status as a Thracian noble or leader. He was clad in armor-like attire and surrounded by gold rings, coins, and a silver cup bearing the image of Eros, the Greek god of love.
The bronze-plated chariot was likely adorned with scenes from Thracian mythology, though these depictions have faded over time. Such elaborate burials are a common find in Bulgaria, with this elitist tradition beginning around 2,500 years ago and reaching its peak during Roman times (2,100–1,500 years ago).
Chariot burials were also practiced in other Roman territories, but none enjoyed the same level of enduring popularity as in Thrace.
8. The Enigmatic Arrow
While Bulgaria is known for its many chariot burials, every so often a more simple and mysterious grave is discovered. In 2017, workers at a museum in Plovdiv excavated the Antiquity Odeon, a Roman-built structure designed for art performances.
During their excavation at the Antiquity Odeon, the team uncovered a grave. Dating back to the 11th–12th centuries, thanks to medieval ceramics found in the upper layers, the grave contained a person of indeterminate gender with an arrow embedded in their chest. Unfortunately, the bones had been disturbed over the years, making it difficult to discern the arrow’s purpose.
One theory is that the arrow was placed on the deceased’s chest as part of a burial ceremony, a common practice in ancient times. Warriors, in particular, were often given arrows for use in the afterlife. Alternatively, it’s possible that the person was killed with the arrow, and the shaft was never removed before the burial.
7. The Golden Mask
Just like Egypt, Bulgaria boasts its very own “Valley of the Kings.” However, instead of tombs of pharaohs, the region is dotted with burial mounds from the Thracians. In 2004, archaeologists made a discovery they claimed rivaled the treasures of both Agamemnon, the Greek warrior-king, and Tutankhamen, specifically their death masks.
While excavating the valley, the team uncovered a massive tomb constructed from six stone slabs, each weighing nearly 12 tons. Although the tomb itself was impressive, it was the solid gold mask found inside that truly stirred excitement. Weighing just 0.45 kilograms (1 lb), it was light compared to the stone structure that surrounded it.
This remarkable find, from the Thracian culture that thrived 2,400 years ago, highlights that Greece and Egypt weren’t the only ancient civilizations of great stature. The funeral mask and enormous tomb serve as proof that, at their peak, the Thracians controlled modern-day Bulgaria and extended their rule into Macedonia, Romania, Turkey, and Greece.
6. A Roman Bath House
In 2016, an archaeologist was driving past a construction site in Plovdiv, southern Bulgaria, when she noticed ancient tiles among the rubble. She was alarmed to see that workers had already destroyed a valuable ancient wall. Her attempt to notify the project leaders was met with a dismissive response.
Despite the setback, the Plovdiv Municipality ordered urgent archaeological digs. The discovery that followed was the best find of the year: the remarkably intact walls of a Roman thermae (public bathhouse). This was no small, simple tub; it was a grand structure with exceptional architecture.
The thermae was built in the second century AD, a time when many of Plovdiv’s key historical sites were constructed, including the renowned Antiquity Theater and the Ancient Roman Stadium. The area around the thermae may hold further hidden treasures, but much of the land is private property with dense residential development, making it challenging to explore more of the city’s rich history.
5. The Two-Millennia-Old Ship
After two millennia, one might expect a ship to have succumbed to the ravages of time and nature, especially if it had sunk in the ocean. However, one remarkable Roman vessel defied these odds. In Bulgaria’s Black Sea, this ship was found preserved among 60 others from different time periods.
In 2017, this Roman ship became the last and most impressive discovery of a multi-season underwater excavation. What made the wreck stand out was the extraordinary preservation of key features.
Discovered on the Bulgarian shelf at a depth of about 2,000 meters (6,600 feet), the wreck still featured a standing mast, both quarter rudders, and yards on the deck. Researchers also found 2,000-year-old rope, a shipment of amphorae in the bow, cooking pots, and rigging. The most unusual discovery was a capstan, a deck apparatus used to move heavy weights, previously only known from ancient artwork.
The remarkable preservation of this ship, along with most of the other vessels, is due to the anoxic waters of the Black Sea. Below 150 meters (500 feet), wood-eating organisms cannot survive, effectively 'pickling' the ships.
4. Europe’s Oldest Town
Discovered in 2012 in northeastern Bulgaria, Europe’s oldest known prehistoric town was inhabited by salt specialists. The residents once boiled spring water to create blocks of salt. Given the high value of salt, the town’s salt production may have made it a target for raiders.
Fortunately, archaeologists did not find the remains of the inhabitants violently scattered. However, they did uncover an impressive stone wall surrounding the settlement, built between 4700 and 4200 BC. The need to protect the salt sources might explain why the town required such substantial fortifications. Regardless, the wall remains a distinctive feature of prehistoric Southeast Europe.
With a population of about 350, the town’s residents lived in two-story homes, had ritual pits, and buried their dead in a small cemetery. Though it predates ancient Greek civilization by 1,500 years, the town may have had connections with other mining cultures of the time.
Bosnia and Romania share similar ancient salt mining sites, dating from the same era. These locations were also used by miners who extracted copper and gold from the Carpathian and Balkan mountains. This may explain the discovery of the world’s oldest known gold cache, found several decades ago, just 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the walled town.
3. The Oldest Multiple-Page Book
When an anonymous donor presented a book to Bulgaria’s National History Museum, it must have been a moment of astonishment. Not only was it the earliest example of a book with bound pages, but the entire work was crafted from gold. Even more remarkable, it was written in a language that has since been lost. The author, or authors, were likely from the Etruscan civilization, an enigmatic group whose full history remains a mystery.
The book is not large, containing only six pages. However, each page is made of 24-carat gold. The illustrations within depict a mermaid, a harp, a horse rider, and soldiers.
The circumstances surrounding the discovery of this artifact are as enigmatic as the Etruscans themselves, a civilization wiped out by the Romans in the 4th century BC. The donor, who was 87 years old at the time of donation, recounted how he had discovered it in his youth. A canal had been dug in southwestern Bulgaria, uncovering a tomb, where the man found the unique gold artifact. He kept it in his possession for 60 years before handing it over.
Experts confirmed the authenticity of the manuscript, dating it to around 2,500 years ago. Across other global collections, there are about 30 similar sheets resembling those of the golden book, but none are bound together like this one.
2. The Baptist Bones
In 2010, two archaeologists uncovered significant clues that suggested they were closing in on the remains of John the Baptist. According to the Bible, John performed the baptism of Jesus.
The archaeologists' journey began on an island named Sveti Ivan, or ‘Saint John.’ While excavating an ancient Bulgarian church, they stumbled upon a sarcophagus near a box bearing Saint John’s name and the date of his feast day (June 24). The coffin revealed only the most minimal remains: a knucklebone, an arm bone, a tooth, a rib, and a fragment of a skull.
Two years after this discovery, tests confirmed that the remains likely belonged to the same male and also provided a date. The remains were from the early first century, which aligns roughly with the time John would have lived. Further analysis pointed to a Middle Eastern origin, a key match.
However, proving these relics beyond any doubt remains a challenge. Even more puzzling is the presence of three animal bones—belonging to a cow, a horse, and a sheep—each around 400 years older than the human bones, raising questions as to why they were placed with him.
1. The Kazanlak Treasure
Not every incredible discovery comes from the Earth as it was left centuries ago. In 2017, a car was stopped in Kazanlak due to suspicious behavior. Unbeknownst to the officers, they were about to intercept priceless artifacts from vanishing into the hands of treasure hunters.
Bulgaria struggles with a widespread issue of looters, who are estimated to smuggle out USD 1 billion worth of artifacts every year. The men arrested that evening were caught with an extraordinary collection from an undisclosed location.
Within a wooden box, the collection of gold and semiprecious items weighed approximately 3 kilograms (6.6 lb). Among the pieces were earrings, a tiara, a bracelet, coins, and a necklace, alongside pottery shards and a tombstone.
A pair of detonators hinted at the destructive techniques the looters used to “excavate.” Since the men refused to disclose the source of the items, archaeologists can only speculate. They suspect the collection belonged to a high-ranking woman from Kran, a medieval city in the same region.
