Svetla Petrova | National Institute of Archaeology and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (original) (raw)

Papers by Svetla Petrova

JRM, 16, 2023

The article presents the results of a study on the mortar and tesserae made of marble, sandstone,... more The article presents the results of a study on the mortar and tesserae made of marble, sandstone, brick, and smalta in the mosaic pavement of the exonarthex of Basilica No. 2 in Parthicopolis. This basilica served as an important episcopal center in the province of Macedonia I. The methods employed include macro- and micro-analysis, as well as SEM-EDS and XRD analysis of the mineral phases.
It has been established that the mosaic was laid on a mortar layer without a statumen and rudus. The study of the mortar revealed the presence of a fine fraction among the tesserae, as well as lumps of lime in the mortar composition, which were reinforced with a fine brick powder. The brick and stone tesserae, including marble and sandstone, originated locally, while the smalta used for the glass tesserae was imported, possibly undergoing secondary processing on-site.
The analysis of the smalta composition identified several technological processes, including secondary heating, a significant presence of small air bubbles, and unwanted crystalline impurities. These phenomena likely occurred during the melting, molding, annealing, or secondary processing of sodium-lime-silicate glass. This suggests the possibility of imported manufactured production being remade in situ, demonstrating the utilization of local materials and techniques.
The study revealed that the mosaicists possessed a profound understanding of the craft, including a deep knowledge of the underlying processes and a diverse range of technical skills. With this expertise, they were able to successfully achieve the desired result by utilizing local materials.

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THE ONE-AISLE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCHES FROM SOUTHWESTERN BULGARIA, 2023

In the article are gathered together for the first time the one-aisle churches from the territor... more In the article are gathered together for the first time the one-aisle
churches from the territory of Southwestern Bulgaria, discovered in the area of
the Upper and Middle streams of the rivers Struma/Strimon and Mesta/Nestos.
One-aisle churches have been discovered in the area of the Upper Struma near
Ivanyane village, Serdica region, at the fortress Krakra at Pernik and in the
vicinity of Radomir, near the village of Dragoychintsi, region of Pautalia. At
the same time, in the middle stream of Struma there is only one church in the
fortress Gorno Gradishte at the village of Mikrevo. But about 60 km east of
Mikrevo, at the boundary of the Upper and Middle stream of Mesta several
such churches have been unearthed in Bansko and Razlog. The known ones so
far have been erected on hills. We associate their construction not only with the
local population, but also with the arrival of a new Christianized ethnics groups
– the Goths and the people from Asia Minor and Syria.
Key words: one-aisle church, Struma and Mesta rivers, Eastern settlers,
and the church plans, the settlements of the Goths federates; early monasteries.

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JMR 15, , 2022

This article examines several mosaic tesserae from the mosaic panel of the exonarthex of the earl... more This article examines several mosaic tesserae from the mosaic panel of the exonarthex of the early Christian basilica No 2 in Parthicopolis (today’s town of Sandanski).
The studied mosaic tesserae are made of glass, brick and stone - marble and sandstone. After the analysis: micro- and macroscopic, method applied: EDS; XRD analysis of the mineral phases and others. The composition and possible production of glass for the smalta tesserae has been established, the composition of the brick tesserae; of two types of white marble tesserae, of sandstone tesserae has been determined.
In antiquity, and especially in the early Byzantine period, several marble quarries of very good quality were exploited in the Middle Strymon area. It has been established that the stone tesserae were mined from deposits around the ancient and early Byzantine city, quarries Ilindentsi (‘The marble quarries of Trajan’), and the glass is imported. An assumption has been made about the possible production on site in the city of a type of glass tesserae - with a degree of crystallization. The chemical and structural analysis of the tesserae reveals the origin of the material, stone and glass, the latter in the form of a finished product distributed as an import by Thessaloniki merchants and undergoing only the final stage of heating, cutting and polishing in local workshops. Although research on the origin of tesserae from mosaic panels from the early Christian basilica complexes in Parthicopolis is only in the beginning, research proves the origin of tesserae materials, the supply of mosaic workshops mainly with local stone material, and trade in imported glass for enamel mosaic and its final stage of in situ preparation in Parthicopolis.

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Nish and Byzantium, XX,, 2022

The architecture of excavated in the southwestern necropolis of Germania tomb-mausoleum appears i... more The architecture of excavated in the southwestern necropolis of Germania tomb-mausoleum appears in the Bulgarian lands for the first time. It has ridge-roof inside, with a hidden vaulting and leveled upper surface, which
served as the floor of the memorial room above it. The formed in this way tomb mausoleum to should be related to some sepulchral outfits from the necropolis of Yagodin Mahala in Naissos and the necropolis on Mica Antić str. in Sremska Mitrovitsa (Sirmium). The numerous tomb gifts and the weaponry show that the deceased was previously part of the imperial retinue, and has been sent to Germania after 359. The excavations proved that the military camp continued its existence also after the middle of 4th century, and has not been abandoned in the middle of 3rd century or during the period of Diocletian.

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The broken lower part of the chest of this sarcophagus has been discovered during the regular arc... more The broken lower part of the chest of this sarcophagus has been discovered during the regular archaeological excavations in 2010. In the early Christian period it was reused as a trough of a fountain in the inner part of the north-eastern fortress wall. Already during the excavations of 1971 two more fragments have been also found, adding to our knowledge of its decoration. Only the representations on the lower part of the front long side are preserved. The left short side of the sarcophagus was also decorated. The right short side and the other long side were not decorated because they were stuck to the wall of the tomb and were not accessible. Later during the secondary use the representations on the left short side have been deleted, its surface smoothed to a greater extent and the trough turned with its non-decorated sides to the viewer. The Amazonomachy from the Trojan War was represented, very popular in the decoration of the sarcophagi from the 2nd–3rd century. Most probably ...

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Unpublished roman dorian capitals from Serdica, 2020

Изследвани са три капитела от римско-дорийския ред. Два от тях са открити преупотребени като стро... more Изследвани са три капитела от римско-дорийския ред. Два от тях са открити преупотребени като строителен материал в руините при Западната порта на Сердика (обр. 1-4). Третият капител от Сердика се съхранява във фонда на Националния археологически музей, София (обр. 5). Четвърти капител с идентична украса и композиция е открит в с. Никюп преди повече от 100 г. от В. Добруски (обр. 6). Понастоящем се съхранява в НАМ, инв. № 1087. Всички капители, включително и този от Никюп (от Никополис ад Иструм) са изработени от доломит. Капителите принадлежат на тип ΙΙΙ: „Композитни римско-дорийски капители“ по типологията на С. Петрова. Те представят не срещан досега вариант (обособяваме нов, трети вариант „В“, към тип ІІІ) на украса на ехина и засега са единствените известни ни екземпляри. Типът се развива през образци на класическата гръцка архитектура – украса от йонийска кима върху ехина, и се възприема от римската архитектурна декорация по времето на Август. Продължава при Траян, и е най-често срещан при Хадриан.

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NIŠ AND BYZANTIUM, 2022

Аn Early Christian tomb was discovered at the end of 2020. Its architectural type has no parallel... more Аn Early Christian tomb was discovered at the end of 2020. Its architectural type has no parallels in the territory of the provinces Dacia Mediterranea and Thracia. It is unique for them with its construction, Supposeedly, it was a tomb-mausoleum, with parallels in Sirmium. A military man of high rank has been buried in it, closely connected with the emperor Constantius II. This man was in service in the camp of Germaneia, now Sarareva Banya in Bulgaria. His rich burial gifts and weaponry are also different from those known from the other burials of militaries in Thracia and Dacia Mediterranea.

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The road network of main and secondary roads for Nicopolis ad Nestum has not been studied compreh... more The road network of main and secondary roads for Nicopolis ad Nestum has not been studied comprehensively so far. Our research was carried out in the period 2010-2015. We have gathered the preserved parts of roads with bridges, together with the results of archaeological studies and data about the settlements alongside these roads. The Roman city of Nicopolis ad Nestum inherited road connections from pre-Roman times, which were further developed. Road construction in the area has been traced chronologically from the pre-Roman roads to the Roman primary and secondary ones for the ancient city. There were several newly built roadbeds that were important for the area and connected Nicopolis with Via Diagonalis and Via Egnatia. The elements of infrastructure have been established: primary and secondary roads, crossings, facilities and roadside stations. Also the locations of custom-houses have been found at the border between Parthicopolis and Nicopolis ad Nestum. We have identified a d...

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Although found more than 130 years ago and thought to be lost in the Bulgarian science, this voti... more Although found more than 130 years ago and thought to be lost in the Bulgarian science, this votive monument from Nicopolis ad Nestum was “re-discovered” by the author in the exposition of the museum in Drama, Greece. The votive with the represented on it gods from the Graeco-Roman Pantheon is devoted to Pluto. The iconography of the monument is of the type Pluto on the throne. According to the inscription, Pluto is not only a chthonic deity of the Underworld, but also as “Πλούτος”–“Plutos” is the god of fertility, abundance and richness. Hermes is also depicted as “Ploutodotes“/“Κeρδώος”, while Asclepius is represented as healer, giving strength and restoring, also of possibility of abundance and richness. The dedicators of the votive descent from a rich Thracian family and probably are part of the elite of Nicopolis ad Nestum. Their names reveal that these people have received Roman citizenship with the Constitutio Antoniniana after 212. The votive relief is made of a local marble...

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S. Petrova, On the route of the ancient cline-lid found in the village of Banya, 2021

The studied cline-lid belonged to sarcophagus, placed in a onechamber tomb from the 30s of 4th ce... more The studied cline-lid belonged to sarcophagus, placed in a onechamber
tomb from the 30s of 4th century. It had a dromos and was covered by
a half-cylindrical vault. At the moment the sarcophagus is partly sunk in the
terrain, and this was also the situation at the moment of its discovering. The
trough is smooth at its visible part, while the hidden one is non-worked and
rude. The walls are made of four vertical marble plates, and the bottom by three
ones. The cline-lid is secondary used in the later burial, but belongs to an earlier
burial from the end of 2nd – the first decades of 3rd century. It represents a
couple of husband and wife, half-lying on the cline on a very rich mattress, with
attributes in their hands, such as rotula. The marble is very fine and comes from
the quarries of Asia Minor. Such a kind of cline-lid is the first one in Thracia and
shows the possibilities of this magistrate, who probably had a very high status
in the administration of Philippopolis, in province of Thracia and maybe also of
Pontus and Bithynia. He was familiar with such kind of cline-lid of sarcophagi
in Asia Minor and the only one so far in Thracia to use it for his sepulchral
monument. His family probably had a domain or villa rustica in the skirts of the
hills at the village of Banya, near to Panagyurishte, and it is possible that the
man is connected with the ancient golden mines not far from Banya. Around
one hundred years later the cline-lid was used in a secondary burial in the described
tomb. For one or another reason, the portrait head of the husband had
been changed, the original one cut and extracted, and a hole made for a new
head with tenon. Unfortunately, both heads of the pair are not preserved. This
is the first known case of a mobile head from this type of cline-lid, connected
probably with the new circumstances of the second burial in the tomb.

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Nicopolis ex Bessia, 2020

In the article, after the analysis of already existing hypotheses about the date of foundation of... more In the article, after the analysis of already existing hypotheses about the date of foundation of Nicopolis ad Nestum, a new date is proposed. It is connected with the revolt of the Thracian tribes of Bessi and its suppression by the united forces of the Thracian Odrysian-Sapaeian dynasty and the Roman army, lead by Lucius K. Piso, which gave the
possibility of founding ‘the city of the victory over the Bessian Ares’.
The artifacts from pre-Roman times discovered under the site of the ancient Nicopolis suggest that here, even before the transformation of Thrace into a Roman province, there was a settlement, with probablly aristocratic or even royal residence, turned after 11 BC into ‘the city of the victory over the Bessian Ares’; inhabited decades later by strategos Flavius Dizalas.
It is assumed that the settlement close to Nicopolis in the ‘Gradishteto’ locality, near
the village of Dabnitsa is possibly the original aristocratic residence of the Thracians-Bessi; as well as the site of the founded / restored sanctuary of Artemis; i.e., this is the settlement of Keirpara mentioned in the inscription of the strategos Flavius Dizalas. The analysis of the
strategies in the inscription of Flavius Dizalas shows, that they have been listed in the direction from south to north; from west to northwest; and finally from east to southeast. We follow the connection of the strategies, governed by Dizalas, with the strategy of Bessika, mentioned by Claudius Ptolemy, and the place of Nicopolis ad Nestum in it.

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The Antique and Early Byzantine town of Parthicopolis is located in the northern area of the Midd... more The Antique and Early Byzantine town of Parthicopolis is located in the northern area of the Middle Struma River valley, between the Kresna and Rupel Defiles. The town had a dense network of roads different in significance, built at different times. The Thracian tribal center and later the town of Parthicopolis was connected with the other Thracian settlements in the pre – Roman era by roads which traditionally followed the river currents. One of the pre – Roman roads and later becoming the main one for Parthicopolis was the Struma Road.
Our study grounded on the empirical data – a survey along the beds of the roads, archaeological research concerning the settlements along the roads, the surviving bridges or their remains and satellite observations – gave us the opportunity to summarize and map the road infrastructure in the Struma valley, and to determine their importance in the development of the ancient town. We have distinguished four groups of roads according to their significance for Parthicopolis and the location of their outlines. Chronologically we have divided them into pre – Roman and Roman ones. Considering their importance for the town, they are main, secondary and local. The main roads are: pre – Roman Struma road and the road crossing the Predel Saddle, the latter connecting indirectly with the town; both roads from Parthicopolis to Nicopolis ad Nestum via Dobrotino and via Paril Saddle which were also inter – provincial roads. The secondary and the local roads were important in terms of fast connections, mainly with the settlements in the urban territory. It has been established that the dense road network around Parthicopolis was conducive to the movement of people and goods.
The roads were 2,50 – 3 m wide, with marble pavement. Their width is different from the one of the roads in the territory of the neighbouring Nicopolis where the standard width of the roads in southwestern part of Thrace is 2,30 m. It has been found out that the pre – Roman roads in the territory of Nicopolis (Druma Road) were also wider than 2,30 m. The strategic location of Parthicopolis, with its well – developed road infrastructure, allowed it to be central to the ancient road network in the Middle Struma valley.

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NIŠ AND BYZANTIUM XVIII

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This research is devoted only to part of the numerous cults and cult sculpture of Nicopolis ad Ne... more This research is devoted only to part of the numerous cults and cult sculpture of Nicopolis ad Nestum, including not the whole its territory, but only the city itself and its immediate proximity. Several neighboring sanctuaries to it, for instance that of Dolno Dryanovo, probably the biggest one, were of great importance for the Roman city, because being existent already from the 5th-4th millennium BC, they continued functioning with adequate to the next historical periods inscriptions and cult sculpture up to the end of 3rd century AD.
To the present a significant number of sculptural monuments (round sculpture and votive monuments) illustrate the spread of different cults in Nicopolis ad Nestum and its vicinity. Being founded near several Thracian settlements, the city and its area around reveal the existing of Thracian, Greek and Roman cults to Zeus, Pluto, Persephona, Asclepius, Hermes, Apollo, Nike, of the xoana of Zeus and Artemis; and of the cult of the Thracian Rider, named here with the epithets Arbazenos and Pyrmerulas. In all of them we can observe the syncretism of the Greek, Roman and Thracian cults in the epithets, the iconography and the form of the sculpture (as in the case of the xoana) and in the style from the beginning of 2nd till the end of the 3rd century. In the Late Antique and Early Byzantine periods in only one monument so far, namely the votive to Pluto, the Cross is added, changing its pagan belonging and interpretation, while the other monuments broken into pieces by the Early Christians.
In the article it is made an attempt to relate the studied cult sculpture to the possible existing sanctuaries and temples in Nicopolis itself and the neighboring area on the ground of the location of the inscriptions, the kind and number of sculptural monuments, and the most important cult representations on the coins minted in city itself and cults mentioned in the inscriptions. These Roman cults have been venerated by the mixed population of Nicopolis and its vicinity: the Romans in the administration of the city, the Hellenized or Romanized Thracian elite and by the Greeks also inhabiting the region. They have been represented either by priests and members of the cult collegia or by persons of high social status. They were also responsible for the sanctuaries and temples, often making orders for the cult statues, witnessed by their names and the content of the building and votive inscriptions.

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Although found more than 130 years ago and thought to be lost in the Bulgarian science, this voti... more Although found more than 130 years ago and thought to be lost in the Bulgarian science, this votive monument from Nicopolis ad Nestum was “re-discovered” by the author in the exposition of the museum in Drama, Greece. The votive with the represented on it gods from the Graeco-Roman Pantheon is devoted to Pluto. The iconography of the monument is of the type Pluto on the throne. According to the inscription, Pluto is not only a chthonic deity of the Underworld, but also as “Πλούτος”–“Plutos” is the god of fertility, abundance and richness. Hermes is also depicted as “Ploutodotes“/“Κερδώος”, while Asclepius is represented as healer, giving strength and restoring, also of possibility of abundance and richness. The dedicators of the votive descent from a rich Thracian family and probably are part of the elite of Nicopolis ad Nestum. Their names reveal that these people have received Roman citizenship with the Constitutio Antoniniana after 212. The votive relief is made of a local marble, and is a work of the local masters, knowing well the iconography of the Graeco-Roman deities and the one of the imperial portraits of Julia Domna and Caracalla from the Severan dynasty.

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Археологически открития и разкопки през 2018 г., 2019

The excavations proved that the early Christian basilica had a nave and two isles, a pitched tile... more The excavations proved that the early Christian basilica had a nave and two isles, a pitched tiled roof, and a
narthex from the west. In the 80s of the 4th c. AD, in the southern part of the narthex a room was shaped (pastophorion).
There, a large pithos was found in situ in the ground, probably used for storing the grain for the preparation of Eucharistic
bread. The apse of the medieval church is partly reusing the apse of the early Christian basilica.
To the south of the medieval church, around the outer southern wall of the basilica, three graves from the Middle
Ages (12th – 14th c. AD) were excavated. To the east of the apse, two more graves were found, probably of priests. In
grave No 12 no skull was found, the leg bones were tightly tied, the hip bone damaged, suggesting that the buried may
probably have been a martyr from the end of the 18th c.

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NIŠ AND BYZANTIUM (ed. M.Rakocija), XVII,2019, 157-186.

The main aim of our preliminary report is to represent the development of the settlement at Cherv... more The main aim of our preliminary report is to represent the development
of the settlement at Cherven breg in almost two thousand years on the base of
the architecture and its decoration, the Roman vicus and its name, the road net
around it, the Early Christian basilica and the medieval settlement with church.

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This unique capital is in the open-air exhibition of the small museum of the village of Strumyani... more This unique capital is in the open-air exhibition of the small museum of the village of Strumyani, Sandanski region. It comes from the quarries at Ilindentzi, called by us ‘the quarries of Trajan at Parthicopolis’. The capital is made of middle-grained extremely white marble, extracted from the dеposit ‘Galchovo gnezdo’ locality of Guingera, located near the earliest quarry/deposit Ermilovetz. Its rectangular form, intended to crown a pillar, not a column, as well as its decoration, are unique for the region of Middle Strymon and generally for the eastern part of the Roman province of Macedonia. The acanthus leaves, the volutes and helices as elements of the composition of the Corinthian capital are added by differentiated leaves, scrolls and rosettes, typical for the architectonic decoration of friezes. By its composition and decoration, the capital belongs to the group of the so-called ‘Corinthianizing’ capitals, not met so far in the region of Parthicopolis and Middle Strymon. Its type, form, composition and decoration place it in the period from the end of the first to the second century, with motives of decoration at the emperors Trajan and Hadrian. The closest parallels for the capital are dated in the period between the 30-s and the middle of the second century, which points to the time of sculpturing of this unique capital. Its composition and work we attribute to the masters from the Eastern Roman provinces, which were taught to the stone-cutters in the Pergamonian and the Ephesian workshops.

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The broken lower part of the chest of this sarcophagus has been discovered during the regular arc... more The broken lower part of the chest of this sarcophagus has been discovered during the regular archaeological excavationns in 2010. In the Early Christian period it was reused as a trough of a fountain in the inner part of the northeastern fortress wall. Already during the excavations of 1971 two more fragments have been also found, adding to our knowledge of its decoration.
Only the representations on the lower part of the front long side are preserved. The left short side of the sarcophagus was also decorated. The right short side and the other long side were not decorated because they were stuck to the wall of the tomb and was not accessible. Later during the secondary use the representations on the left short side have been deleted, its surface smoothed to a greater extent and the trough turned with its non-decorated sides to the viewer.
The Amazonomachy from the Trojan war was represented, very popular in the decoration of the sarcophagi from the 2nd –3rd century. Most probably in the central part of the long side the mythological scene of the battle between Achilles and the queen of the amazons Penthesilaea has been sculpted. Other parts of combating Greek warriors and amazons were covering all the surface of this long side. At the corners two figures of Nike/Victory with the wreath/garland were represented.
The distribution of the separate scenes and the right side without decoration relates the sarcophagus to some extent to the Roman center of production of Amazonomachy. But some other parallels demonstrate the strong influence of the Attic center reaching to the north to Thessaloniki and to the south and east even to some eastern cities like Caesarea Maritima. Because of the local marble from quarry Sivec, the sarcophagus from Bargala should be considered as a work of a itinerant Attic master or as a local imitation of the production in Rome and Attica made for a prominent citizen the of Bargala. The technical and stylistic features relate the monument from the end of the 2nd to the end of the first quarter of the 3rd century.

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JRM, 16, 2023

The article presents the results of a study on the mortar and tesserae made of marble, sandstone,... more The article presents the results of a study on the mortar and tesserae made of marble, sandstone, brick, and smalta in the mosaic pavement of the exonarthex of Basilica No. 2 in Parthicopolis. This basilica served as an important episcopal center in the province of Macedonia I. The methods employed include macro- and micro-analysis, as well as SEM-EDS and XRD analysis of the mineral phases.
It has been established that the mosaic was laid on a mortar layer without a statumen and rudus. The study of the mortar revealed the presence of a fine fraction among the tesserae, as well as lumps of lime in the mortar composition, which were reinforced with a fine brick powder. The brick and stone tesserae, including marble and sandstone, originated locally, while the smalta used for the glass tesserae was imported, possibly undergoing secondary processing on-site.
The analysis of the smalta composition identified several technological processes, including secondary heating, a significant presence of small air bubbles, and unwanted crystalline impurities. These phenomena likely occurred during the melting, molding, annealing, or secondary processing of sodium-lime-silicate glass. This suggests the possibility of imported manufactured production being remade in situ, demonstrating the utilization of local materials and techniques.
The study revealed that the mosaicists possessed a profound understanding of the craft, including a deep knowledge of the underlying processes and a diverse range of technical skills. With this expertise, they were able to successfully achieve the desired result by utilizing local materials.

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THE ONE-AISLE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCHES FROM SOUTHWESTERN BULGARIA, 2023

In the article are gathered together for the first time the one-aisle churches from the territor... more In the article are gathered together for the first time the one-aisle
churches from the territory of Southwestern Bulgaria, discovered in the area of
the Upper and Middle streams of the rivers Struma/Strimon and Mesta/Nestos.
One-aisle churches have been discovered in the area of the Upper Struma near
Ivanyane village, Serdica region, at the fortress Krakra at Pernik and in the
vicinity of Radomir, near the village of Dragoychintsi, region of Pautalia. At
the same time, in the middle stream of Struma there is only one church in the
fortress Gorno Gradishte at the village of Mikrevo. But about 60 km east of
Mikrevo, at the boundary of the Upper and Middle stream of Mesta several
such churches have been unearthed in Bansko and Razlog. The known ones so
far have been erected on hills. We associate their construction not only with the
local population, but also with the arrival of a new Christianized ethnics groups
– the Goths and the people from Asia Minor and Syria.
Key words: one-aisle church, Struma and Mesta rivers, Eastern settlers,
and the church plans, the settlements of the Goths federates; early monasteries.

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JMR 15, , 2022

This article examines several mosaic tesserae from the mosaic panel of the exonarthex of the earl... more This article examines several mosaic tesserae from the mosaic panel of the exonarthex of the early Christian basilica No 2 in Parthicopolis (today’s town of Sandanski).
The studied mosaic tesserae are made of glass, brick and stone - marble and sandstone. After the analysis: micro- and macroscopic, method applied: EDS; XRD analysis of the mineral phases and others. The composition and possible production of glass for the smalta tesserae has been established, the composition of the brick tesserae; of two types of white marble tesserae, of sandstone tesserae has been determined.
In antiquity, and especially in the early Byzantine period, several marble quarries of very good quality were exploited in the Middle Strymon area. It has been established that the stone tesserae were mined from deposits around the ancient and early Byzantine city, quarries Ilindentsi (‘The marble quarries of Trajan’), and the glass is imported. An assumption has been made about the possible production on site in the city of a type of glass tesserae - with a degree of crystallization. The chemical and structural analysis of the tesserae reveals the origin of the material, stone and glass, the latter in the form of a finished product distributed as an import by Thessaloniki merchants and undergoing only the final stage of heating, cutting and polishing in local workshops. Although research on the origin of tesserae from mosaic panels from the early Christian basilica complexes in Parthicopolis is only in the beginning, research proves the origin of tesserae materials, the supply of mosaic workshops mainly with local stone material, and trade in imported glass for enamel mosaic and its final stage of in situ preparation in Parthicopolis.

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Nish and Byzantium, XX,, 2022

The architecture of excavated in the southwestern necropolis of Germania tomb-mausoleum appears i... more The architecture of excavated in the southwestern necropolis of Germania tomb-mausoleum appears in the Bulgarian lands for the first time. It has ridge-roof inside, with a hidden vaulting and leveled upper surface, which
served as the floor of the memorial room above it. The formed in this way tomb mausoleum to should be related to some sepulchral outfits from the necropolis of Yagodin Mahala in Naissos and the necropolis on Mica Antić str. in Sremska Mitrovitsa (Sirmium). The numerous tomb gifts and the weaponry show that the deceased was previously part of the imperial retinue, and has been sent to Germania after 359. The excavations proved that the military camp continued its existence also after the middle of 4th century, and has not been abandoned in the middle of 3rd century or during the period of Diocletian.

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The broken lower part of the chest of this sarcophagus has been discovered during the regular arc... more The broken lower part of the chest of this sarcophagus has been discovered during the regular archaeological excavations in 2010. In the early Christian period it was reused as a trough of a fountain in the inner part of the north-eastern fortress wall. Already during the excavations of 1971 two more fragments have been also found, adding to our knowledge of its decoration. Only the representations on the lower part of the front long side are preserved. The left short side of the sarcophagus was also decorated. The right short side and the other long side were not decorated because they were stuck to the wall of the tomb and were not accessible. Later during the secondary use the representations on the left short side have been deleted, its surface smoothed to a greater extent and the trough turned with its non-decorated sides to the viewer. The Amazonomachy from the Trojan War was represented, very popular in the decoration of the sarcophagi from the 2nd–3rd century. Most probably ...

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Unpublished roman dorian capitals from Serdica, 2020

Изследвани са три капитела от римско-дорийския ред. Два от тях са открити преупотребени като стро... more Изследвани са три капитела от римско-дорийския ред. Два от тях са открити преупотребени като строителен материал в руините при Западната порта на Сердика (обр. 1-4). Третият капител от Сердика се съхранява във фонда на Националния археологически музей, София (обр. 5). Четвърти капител с идентична украса и композиция е открит в с. Никюп преди повече от 100 г. от В. Добруски (обр. 6). Понастоящем се съхранява в НАМ, инв. № 1087. Всички капители, включително и този от Никюп (от Никополис ад Иструм) са изработени от доломит. Капителите принадлежат на тип ΙΙΙ: „Композитни римско-дорийски капители“ по типологията на С. Петрова. Те представят не срещан досега вариант (обособяваме нов, трети вариант „В“, към тип ІІІ) на украса на ехина и засега са единствените известни ни екземпляри. Типът се развива през образци на класическата гръцка архитектура – украса от йонийска кима върху ехина, и се възприема от римската архитектурна декорация по времето на Август. Продължава при Траян, и е най-често срещан при Хадриан.

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NIŠ AND BYZANTIUM, 2022

Аn Early Christian tomb was discovered at the end of 2020. Its architectural type has no parallel... more Аn Early Christian tomb was discovered at the end of 2020. Its architectural type has no parallels in the territory of the provinces Dacia Mediterranea and Thracia. It is unique for them with its construction, Supposeedly, it was a tomb-mausoleum, with parallels in Sirmium. A military man of high rank has been buried in it, closely connected with the emperor Constantius II. This man was in service in the camp of Germaneia, now Sarareva Banya in Bulgaria. His rich burial gifts and weaponry are also different from those known from the other burials of militaries in Thracia and Dacia Mediterranea.

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The road network of main and secondary roads for Nicopolis ad Nestum has not been studied compreh... more The road network of main and secondary roads for Nicopolis ad Nestum has not been studied comprehensively so far. Our research was carried out in the period 2010-2015. We have gathered the preserved parts of roads with bridges, together with the results of archaeological studies and data about the settlements alongside these roads. The Roman city of Nicopolis ad Nestum inherited road connections from pre-Roman times, which were further developed. Road construction in the area has been traced chronologically from the pre-Roman roads to the Roman primary and secondary ones for the ancient city. There were several newly built roadbeds that were important for the area and connected Nicopolis with Via Diagonalis and Via Egnatia. The elements of infrastructure have been established: primary and secondary roads, crossings, facilities and roadside stations. Also the locations of custom-houses have been found at the border between Parthicopolis and Nicopolis ad Nestum. We have identified a d...

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Although found more than 130 years ago and thought to be lost in the Bulgarian science, this voti... more Although found more than 130 years ago and thought to be lost in the Bulgarian science, this votive monument from Nicopolis ad Nestum was “re-discovered” by the author in the exposition of the museum in Drama, Greece. The votive with the represented on it gods from the Graeco-Roman Pantheon is devoted to Pluto. The iconography of the monument is of the type Pluto on the throne. According to the inscription, Pluto is not only a chthonic deity of the Underworld, but also as “Πλούτος”–“Plutos” is the god of fertility, abundance and richness. Hermes is also depicted as “Ploutodotes“/“Κeρδώος”, while Asclepius is represented as healer, giving strength and restoring, also of possibility of abundance and richness. The dedicators of the votive descent from a rich Thracian family and probably are part of the elite of Nicopolis ad Nestum. Their names reveal that these people have received Roman citizenship with the Constitutio Antoniniana after 212. The votive relief is made of a local marble...

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S. Petrova, On the route of the ancient cline-lid found in the village of Banya, 2021

The studied cline-lid belonged to sarcophagus, placed in a onechamber tomb from the 30s of 4th ce... more The studied cline-lid belonged to sarcophagus, placed in a onechamber
tomb from the 30s of 4th century. It had a dromos and was covered by
a half-cylindrical vault. At the moment the sarcophagus is partly sunk in the
terrain, and this was also the situation at the moment of its discovering. The
trough is smooth at its visible part, while the hidden one is non-worked and
rude. The walls are made of four vertical marble plates, and the bottom by three
ones. The cline-lid is secondary used in the later burial, but belongs to an earlier
burial from the end of 2nd – the first decades of 3rd century. It represents a
couple of husband and wife, half-lying on the cline on a very rich mattress, with
attributes in their hands, such as rotula. The marble is very fine and comes from
the quarries of Asia Minor. Such a kind of cline-lid is the first one in Thracia and
shows the possibilities of this magistrate, who probably had a very high status
in the administration of Philippopolis, in province of Thracia and maybe also of
Pontus and Bithynia. He was familiar with such kind of cline-lid of sarcophagi
in Asia Minor and the only one so far in Thracia to use it for his sepulchral
monument. His family probably had a domain or villa rustica in the skirts of the
hills at the village of Banya, near to Panagyurishte, and it is possible that the
man is connected with the ancient golden mines not far from Banya. Around
one hundred years later the cline-lid was used in a secondary burial in the described
tomb. For one or another reason, the portrait head of the husband had
been changed, the original one cut and extracted, and a hole made for a new
head with tenon. Unfortunately, both heads of the pair are not preserved. This
is the first known case of a mobile head from this type of cline-lid, connected
probably with the new circumstances of the second burial in the tomb.

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Nicopolis ex Bessia, 2020

In the article, after the analysis of already existing hypotheses about the date of foundation of... more In the article, after the analysis of already existing hypotheses about the date of foundation of Nicopolis ad Nestum, a new date is proposed. It is connected with the revolt of the Thracian tribes of Bessi and its suppression by the united forces of the Thracian Odrysian-Sapaeian dynasty and the Roman army, lead by Lucius K. Piso, which gave the
possibility of founding ‘the city of the victory over the Bessian Ares’.
The artifacts from pre-Roman times discovered under the site of the ancient Nicopolis suggest that here, even before the transformation of Thrace into a Roman province, there was a settlement, with probablly aristocratic or even royal residence, turned after 11 BC into ‘the city of the victory over the Bessian Ares’; inhabited decades later by strategos Flavius Dizalas.
It is assumed that the settlement close to Nicopolis in the ‘Gradishteto’ locality, near
the village of Dabnitsa is possibly the original aristocratic residence of the Thracians-Bessi; as well as the site of the founded / restored sanctuary of Artemis; i.e., this is the settlement of Keirpara mentioned in the inscription of the strategos Flavius Dizalas. The analysis of the
strategies in the inscription of Flavius Dizalas shows, that they have been listed in the direction from south to north; from west to northwest; and finally from east to southeast. We follow the connection of the strategies, governed by Dizalas, with the strategy of Bessika, mentioned by Claudius Ptolemy, and the place of Nicopolis ad Nestum in it.

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The Antique and Early Byzantine town of Parthicopolis is located in the northern area of the Midd... more The Antique and Early Byzantine town of Parthicopolis is located in the northern area of the Middle Struma River valley, between the Kresna and Rupel Defiles. The town had a dense network of roads different in significance, built at different times. The Thracian tribal center and later the town of Parthicopolis was connected with the other Thracian settlements in the pre – Roman era by roads which traditionally followed the river currents. One of the pre – Roman roads and later becoming the main one for Parthicopolis was the Struma Road.
Our study grounded on the empirical data – a survey along the beds of the roads, archaeological research concerning the settlements along the roads, the surviving bridges or their remains and satellite observations – gave us the opportunity to summarize and map the road infrastructure in the Struma valley, and to determine their importance in the development of the ancient town. We have distinguished four groups of roads according to their significance for Parthicopolis and the location of their outlines. Chronologically we have divided them into pre – Roman and Roman ones. Considering their importance for the town, they are main, secondary and local. The main roads are: pre – Roman Struma road and the road crossing the Predel Saddle, the latter connecting indirectly with the town; both roads from Parthicopolis to Nicopolis ad Nestum via Dobrotino and via Paril Saddle which were also inter – provincial roads. The secondary and the local roads were important in terms of fast connections, mainly with the settlements in the urban territory. It has been established that the dense road network around Parthicopolis was conducive to the movement of people and goods.
The roads were 2,50 – 3 m wide, with marble pavement. Their width is different from the one of the roads in the territory of the neighbouring Nicopolis where the standard width of the roads in southwestern part of Thrace is 2,30 m. It has been found out that the pre – Roman roads in the territory of Nicopolis (Druma Road) were also wider than 2,30 m. The strategic location of Parthicopolis, with its well – developed road infrastructure, allowed it to be central to the ancient road network in the Middle Struma valley.

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NIŠ AND BYZANTIUM XVIII

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This research is devoted only to part of the numerous cults and cult sculpture of Nicopolis ad Ne... more This research is devoted only to part of the numerous cults and cult sculpture of Nicopolis ad Nestum, including not the whole its territory, but only the city itself and its immediate proximity. Several neighboring sanctuaries to it, for instance that of Dolno Dryanovo, probably the biggest one, were of great importance for the Roman city, because being existent already from the 5th-4th millennium BC, they continued functioning with adequate to the next historical periods inscriptions and cult sculpture up to the end of 3rd century AD.
To the present a significant number of sculptural monuments (round sculpture and votive monuments) illustrate the spread of different cults in Nicopolis ad Nestum and its vicinity. Being founded near several Thracian settlements, the city and its area around reveal the existing of Thracian, Greek and Roman cults to Zeus, Pluto, Persephona, Asclepius, Hermes, Apollo, Nike, of the xoana of Zeus and Artemis; and of the cult of the Thracian Rider, named here with the epithets Arbazenos and Pyrmerulas. In all of them we can observe the syncretism of the Greek, Roman and Thracian cults in the epithets, the iconography and the form of the sculpture (as in the case of the xoana) and in the style from the beginning of 2nd till the end of the 3rd century. In the Late Antique and Early Byzantine periods in only one monument so far, namely the votive to Pluto, the Cross is added, changing its pagan belonging and interpretation, while the other monuments broken into pieces by the Early Christians.
In the article it is made an attempt to relate the studied cult sculpture to the possible existing sanctuaries and temples in Nicopolis itself and the neighboring area on the ground of the location of the inscriptions, the kind and number of sculptural monuments, and the most important cult representations on the coins minted in city itself and cults mentioned in the inscriptions. These Roman cults have been venerated by the mixed population of Nicopolis and its vicinity: the Romans in the administration of the city, the Hellenized or Romanized Thracian elite and by the Greeks also inhabiting the region. They have been represented either by priests and members of the cult collegia or by persons of high social status. They were also responsible for the sanctuaries and temples, often making orders for the cult statues, witnessed by their names and the content of the building and votive inscriptions.

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Although found more than 130 years ago and thought to be lost in the Bulgarian science, this voti... more Although found more than 130 years ago and thought to be lost in the Bulgarian science, this votive monument from Nicopolis ad Nestum was “re-discovered” by the author in the exposition of the museum in Drama, Greece. The votive with the represented on it gods from the Graeco-Roman Pantheon is devoted to Pluto. The iconography of the monument is of the type Pluto on the throne. According to the inscription, Pluto is not only a chthonic deity of the Underworld, but also as “Πλούτος”–“Plutos” is the god of fertility, abundance and richness. Hermes is also depicted as “Ploutodotes“/“Κερδώος”, while Asclepius is represented as healer, giving strength and restoring, also of possibility of abundance and richness. The dedicators of the votive descent from a rich Thracian family and probably are part of the elite of Nicopolis ad Nestum. Their names reveal that these people have received Roman citizenship with the Constitutio Antoniniana after 212. The votive relief is made of a local marble, and is a work of the local masters, knowing well the iconography of the Graeco-Roman deities and the one of the imperial portraits of Julia Domna and Caracalla from the Severan dynasty.

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Археологически открития и разкопки през 2018 г., 2019

The excavations proved that the early Christian basilica had a nave and two isles, a pitched tile... more The excavations proved that the early Christian basilica had a nave and two isles, a pitched tiled roof, and a
narthex from the west. In the 80s of the 4th c. AD, in the southern part of the narthex a room was shaped (pastophorion).
There, a large pithos was found in situ in the ground, probably used for storing the grain for the preparation of Eucharistic
bread. The apse of the medieval church is partly reusing the apse of the early Christian basilica.
To the south of the medieval church, around the outer southern wall of the basilica, three graves from the Middle
Ages (12th – 14th c. AD) were excavated. To the east of the apse, two more graves were found, probably of priests. In
grave No 12 no skull was found, the leg bones were tightly tied, the hip bone damaged, suggesting that the buried may
probably have been a martyr from the end of the 18th c.

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NIŠ AND BYZANTIUM (ed. M.Rakocija), XVII,2019, 157-186.

The main aim of our preliminary report is to represent the development of the settlement at Cherv... more The main aim of our preliminary report is to represent the development
of the settlement at Cherven breg in almost two thousand years on the base of
the architecture and its decoration, the Roman vicus and its name, the road net
around it, the Early Christian basilica and the medieval settlement with church.

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This unique capital is in the open-air exhibition of the small museum of the village of Strumyani... more This unique capital is in the open-air exhibition of the small museum of the village of Strumyani, Sandanski region. It comes from the quarries at Ilindentzi, called by us ‘the quarries of Trajan at Parthicopolis’. The capital is made of middle-grained extremely white marble, extracted from the dеposit ‘Galchovo gnezdo’ locality of Guingera, located near the earliest quarry/deposit Ermilovetz. Its rectangular form, intended to crown a pillar, not a column, as well as its decoration, are unique for the region of Middle Strymon and generally for the eastern part of the Roman province of Macedonia. The acanthus leaves, the volutes and helices as elements of the composition of the Corinthian capital are added by differentiated leaves, scrolls and rosettes, typical for the architectonic decoration of friezes. By its composition and decoration, the capital belongs to the group of the so-called ‘Corinthianizing’ capitals, not met so far in the region of Parthicopolis and Middle Strymon. Its type, form, composition and decoration place it in the period from the end of the first to the second century, with motives of decoration at the emperors Trajan and Hadrian. The closest parallels for the capital are dated in the period between the 30-s and the middle of the second century, which points to the time of sculpturing of this unique capital. Its composition and work we attribute to the masters from the Eastern Roman provinces, which were taught to the stone-cutters in the Pergamonian and the Ephesian workshops.

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The broken lower part of the chest of this sarcophagus has been discovered during the regular arc... more The broken lower part of the chest of this sarcophagus has been discovered during the regular archaeological excavationns in 2010. In the Early Christian period it was reused as a trough of a fountain in the inner part of the northeastern fortress wall. Already during the excavations of 1971 two more fragments have been also found, adding to our knowledge of its decoration.
Only the representations on the lower part of the front long side are preserved. The left short side of the sarcophagus was also decorated. The right short side and the other long side were not decorated because they were stuck to the wall of the tomb and was not accessible. Later during the secondary use the representations on the left short side have been deleted, its surface smoothed to a greater extent and the trough turned with its non-decorated sides to the viewer.
The Amazonomachy from the Trojan war was represented, very popular in the decoration of the sarcophagi from the 2nd –3rd century. Most probably in the central part of the long side the mythological scene of the battle between Achilles and the queen of the amazons Penthesilaea has been sculpted. Other parts of combating Greek warriors and amazons were covering all the surface of this long side. At the corners two figures of Nike/Victory with the wreath/garland were represented.
The distribution of the separate scenes and the right side without decoration relates the sarcophagus to some extent to the Roman center of production of Amazonomachy. But some other parallels demonstrate the strong influence of the Attic center reaching to the north to Thessaloniki and to the south and east even to some eastern cities like Caesarea Maritima. Because of the local marble from quarry Sivec, the sarcophagus from Bargala should be considered as a work of a itinerant Attic master or as a local imitation of the production in Rome and Attica made for a prominent citizen the of Bargala. The technical and stylistic features relate the monument from the end of the 2nd to the end of the first quarter of the 3rd century.

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