Archaeological Excavations Start at Roman and Early Byzantine Site in Central Bulgaria
The excavations of the Roman and early Byzantine town are a joint initiative of the Veliko Tarnovo University and the town’s Regional History Museum.
The project, aimed at providing students with practical experience, is financed by the EU Social Fund through the Ministry of Education. Together with their professors, 20 archaeology students will participate in the Nicopolis ad Istrum excavations over a month.
The archeologists plan to unearth the oldest architectural remains of the town, including public buildings located at its forum, which date to the time of its founding – the beginning of the second century AD.
Nicopolis ad Istrum was founded by Emperor Trajan around 101–106 AD, at the junction of the Yantra River with the Danube, in memory of his victory over the Dacians. The town reached its apogee during the reigns of Trajan, Hadrian (117 - 138 AD), the Antonines (138 - 180 AD) and the Severan dynasty (193 – 235 AD).
The ancient settlement is one of the fourteenth sites on the Tentative List submitted by Bulgaria to UNESCO, which contains sites – seen as cultural or natural heritage of outstanding universal value, that the country intends to consider for nomination to be inscribed on the organization’s World Heritage List.
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A Perfect Shot
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RED&WHITE SOFIA. On the 1st of March Bulgarians say goodbye to the winter. They buy each other red&white threads to carry around until they see a stork and spring can begin. Photography by Lode Desmet
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excellent smugs