An excavation in Topolovgrad, Bulgaria, has unearthed the tomb of a Thracian warrior and his horse so richly furnished that archaeologists think he was a local ruler. The burial dates to the second half of the 2nd century B.C., and the goods in his grave are so exceptional in craftsmanship and materials that it is the richest tomb from the Late Hellenistic era ever discovered in Bulgaria.
A team from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences excavated a mound in the village of Kapitan Petko Voivoda last year as part of a rescue operation before construction of a cable connecting the township to a solar park. Inside the mound they found the remains of the warrior buried wearing a silver gilt wreath on his head, a symbol of leadership and honor in ancient Thracian culture. Preliminary research indicates he was between 35 and 40 years old when he died. The deceased was buried with a large complement of ceramic and glass vessels, all imported from several important production centers in the Mediterranean. In addition to the wreath, his jewelry included a silver bracelet, a silver ring and a silver fibula of superior craftsmanship. A fine group of weapons were also found in the grave, including iron spears, an iron shield boss, and a Greek makhaira knife with a handle ornamented in gold and inlaid semi-precious stones that is unique on the archaeological record.
His war horse was found next to him on his left side. The horse was inhumed, and almost as richly accessorized as his the warrior himself. Gold, silver and bronze medallions from the horse’s harness were found around his head. They bear high-relief depictions of mythological figures, including Hercules wrestling the giant Antaeus, and different animals, including bulls and goats, who played roles in Hercules’ labors. These are works of advanced metallurgy.
The team has linked this recent grave to another opulent burial found just 60 meters to the north in 2024, beneath a small burial mound. That site, also excavated by Dr. Agre’s team, revealed a Thracian noble associated with Roman military forces and included rare gold jewelry. Together, these discoveries suggest the area was a significant burial site for elite Thracian warriors during the Late Hellenistic period.
“This is the second consecutive year that the land around Kapitan Petko Voivoda has revealed extraordinary archaeological treasures,” the researchers stated. “The ongoing excavations are not only enriching our understanding of Thracian culture but also raising new questions about the intersection of local traditions and Roman influence.”
The findings are currently being prepared for conservation and public display. Artifacts from the 2024 discovery have already been restored and placed in a specially built vault at the Historical Museum in Topolovgrad. It is expected that the newly uncovered artifacts from 2025 will join the collection, further enhancing the museum’s role as a regional center for Thracian history and heritage.
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