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The excavations of Perperikon ended ten days ago, but now we can present the most interesting finds that came out of this year's research.

This was announced by archaeologist Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov.

"This year, the archaeological year was on the verge of failure due to the suspension of state funding, which is extremely important for history and cultural-historical tourism in our country. In this way, the entire burden of providing funds for excavations fell on the Municipality of Kardzhali. Thanks to its support, reached a discovery that literally changes our perception of the life and cults of the Thracians in the Rhodopes," explained the

archaeologist

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The archeological summer of Perperikon has started

"Everyone already knows that just twenty meters from the ancient altar of Dionysus, where great men such as Alexander the Great received prophecies, in 2022 a beautifully preserved new pagan temple from the 3rd-4th century was discovered at a height of up to 3 m. In all probability the sanctuary was connected with the making of sacred wine.Thus it is now clear that a whole cultic complex of temples was created near the great altar during the Roman period of the city, among which were those of the Thracian horseman, of the eastern god Mithras and of the deified ancestors," he said. 

Numerous finds were discovered in and around the newly discovered temple.

They are from different periods, because in late antiquity and the Middle Ages the building was rebuilt many times.

For this reason, the upper layers contain many coins from the 5th-6th and 10th-14th centuries, as well as various ornaments, including pectoral bronze crosses, reported Prof. Ovcharov.



In the lowest level, under the huge pile of worked stones and tiles from the upper parts of the temple, exclusively finds from the second half of the 4th century are found.

This century is one of the most interesting eras in the history of Europe.

In 313, the Roman emperor Constantine I the Great recognized Christianity as one of the religions of the vast state, but it was far from gaining ground.

Throughout the century, the struggle of the new faith with the pagan cults was observed, with variable success.



He noted that until the 80s of the 4th century, paganism was practiced quite calmly in the empire.

Persecutions against him began only with zealous Christians such as the emperors Gratian (375-383) and Theodosius I (379-395).

But the Rhodopes remained a stronghold of paganism until 393-398, when the mountain Thracians began to accept the new faith after the mission of Bishop Niketa Remesianski.

As is known, it begins precisely from the ancient sanctuary of Perperikon, where the earliest church in the Rhodopes was discovered from the beginning of the 5th century.



Particularly important among the finds from the lower level of the newly discovered temple are the dozen securely dated coins from the second half and the end of the 4th century.

Among them, the coins of the brothers emperors Valentinian I (364-375) and Valens (364-378) are particularly interesting.

The first is famous for its special tolerance towards paganism.



Thus, we have no doubt that the building discovered during this archaeological season is from the last period of the pagan history of the Rhodopes in the second half of the 4th century.

But one find literally showed us life in this ancient sanctuary.

Literally at the solemn entrance and near the threshold of the temple, a bell of high-quality bronze with a thick layer of silvering was discovered.

The bell is 8 cm high and weighs more than 300 g, says Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov's message. 



According to him, there is no doubt that this is a tintinnabulum, which hung on the gate of the temple and with its melodious ringing when shaken by the wind drove away evil forces.

Today we can guess whether the bell was freestanding, as there are examples in the Roman Empire, or whether it was part of a larger structure.

Magnificent bronze works have survived from the pagan period, in the center of which is a massive phallic symbol (a phallus in the form of an attacking animal or a god with an aroused phallus), and to it were hung bronze wind chimes on long chains.

Such were found in place outside the gates of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the two Roman cities buried by the ash of Mount Vesuvius during its fatal eruption.



Like many other sacred elements from paganism, tintinnabulums were adopted into Christianity.

However, then they are no longer on the doors, but on the left side of the church altar.

excavations of perpericon

Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov