"Chalcolithic"

#1019868

26 January 2016

A drone view of tell Yunatsite, near Pazardzhik in southern Bulgaria, some 100 km from the capital Sofia, Tuesday, 26 January, 2016. It is one of the biggest tells in Europe with a diameter of approximately 110 m and a height of 12 m above, rising above fields next to a small Bulgarian village by the same name - Yunatsite and located on the terrace of one arm of the old river bed Topolnitsa. The Tell, also known as The Flat mound, contains remains of an urbanized settlement dated at its earliest to the early fifth millenium BC. The resulting earliest city in Europe, called by archaeologists protograd (prototype of the modern city) dates to the mid 5 th century BC, which means that the village is 2,000 years older than the cities, known in Europe. They existed 2400-2000 BC. Archeologists have found numerous traces of the Chalcolithic period and evidence of what may have been Europe's first civilization at a site located near the town of Pazardzhik in southern Bulgaria. Excavations has yielded rich collections of archaeological materials, and the sterile soil has not yet been reached. There is a medieval cemetery (1200s-1500s CE) century at the top of the tell, followed in depth by Roman and early Byzantine periods (200s-500s CE) level, two Iron Age levels (800-600 BCE), a thick layer dated to the Early Bronze Age (EBA) (3100-2200 BCE), a hiatus (4100-3100 BCE) and finally a thick Copper Age (Chalcolithic) layer. It is unknown if the cultural history of the tell begins in the Chalcolithic period or whether older human occupation layers exist. The village hill is a sort of an open-air museum and is included in the system of international cultural tourism. Heavy winter conditions temporary stopped tourism and excavations in this region. Photo by: Petar Petrov /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#1019870

26 January 2016

A drone view of tell Yunatsite, near Pazardzhik in southern Bulgaria, some 100 km from the capital Sofia, Tuesday, 26 January, 2016. It is one of the biggest tells in Europe with a diameter of approximately 110 m and a height of 12 m above, rising above fields next to a small Bulgarian village by the same name - Yunatsite and located on the terrace of one arm of the old river bed Topolnitsa. The Tell, also known as The Flat mound, contains remains of an urbanized settlement dated at its earliest to the early fifth millenium BC. The resulting earliest city in Europe, called by archaeologists protograd (prototype of the modern city) dates to the mid 5 th century BC, which means that the village is 2,000 years older than the cities, known in Europe. They existed 2400-2000 BC. Archeologists have found numerous traces of the Chalcolithic period and evidence of what may have been Europe's first civilization at a site located near the town of Pazardzhik in southern Bulgaria. Excavations has yielded rich collections of archaeological materials, and the sterile soil has not yet been reached. There is a medieval cemetery (1200s-1500s CE) century at the top of the tell, followed in depth by Roman and early Byzantine periods (200s-500s CE) level, two Iron Age levels (800-600 BCE), a thick layer dated to the Early Bronze Age (EBA) (3100-2200 BCE), a hiatus (4100-3100 BCE) and finally a thick Copper Age (Chalcolithic) layer. It is unknown if the cultural history of the tell begins in the Chalcolithic period or whether older human occupation layers exist. The village hill is a sort of an open-air museum and is included in the system of international cultural tourism. Heavy winter conditions temporary stopped tourism and excavations in this region. Photo by: Petar Petrov /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#921541

22 November 2015

A drone view of chalcolithic settlement Bobata near Avren, pictured on 21 November 2015, Saturday, some 450 km from the capital of Sofia, lies on a top of a rock with an area of 0,25 ha on the north-western edge of the Avren plateau. It is aged about V-II century B.C. The settlement is approachable only from the north side, while the east, south and west sides are vertical and over 120 m high rocks. The accessible north side is enclosed by a 65 m long, arc-shaped stone wall. The settlement has a strategic defensive position, overlooking the major trade route leading from the lakes of Varna and Beloslav through the Balkan range via the low Aytos pass to Thrace. A 12,20 m long section of the stone enclosure wall was uncovered. The wall is constructed of large undressed stones without mortar and is preserved to a maximal height of 1,60 m. The width of this structure was 1,80-2,00 m. The chalcolithic cultural layer in the interior of the settlement is 1,30 m thick and includes two forts of habitation. The inner fort is 190 m long and there were lived thracian senior citizens, and the outer is 320 m long and there are traces of other population. It is believed that the settlement was inhabited by XI century. The excavations uncovered the well-preserved remains of burnt houses-collapsed wattle-and-daub walls, house floors, installations such as ovens as well as concentrations of finds in situ. All archaeological materials and features at the site date to the Late Chalcolithic period. The materials correspond typologically to the Late Chalcolithic finds from Durankulak and Varna. Photo by: Petar Petrov /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#921542

22 November 2015

A drone view of chalcolithic settlement Bobata near Avren, pictured on 21 November 2015, Saturday, some 450 km from the capital of Sofia, lies on a top of a rock with an area of 0,25 ha on the north-western edge of the Avren plateau. It is aged about V-II century B.C. The settlement is approachable only from the north side, while the east, south and west sides are vertical and over 120 m high rocks. The accessible north side is enclosed by a 65 m long, arc-shaped stone wall. The settlement has a strategic defensive position, overlooking the major trade route leading from the lakes of Varna and Beloslav through the Balkan range via the low Aytos pass to Thrace. A 12,20 m long section of the stone enclosure wall was uncovered. The wall is constructed of large undressed stones without mortar and is preserved to a maximal height of 1,60 m. The width of this structure was 1,80-2,00 m. The chalcolithic cultural layer in the interior of the settlement is 1,30 m thick and includes two forts of habitation. The inner fort is 190 m long and there were lived thracian senior citizens, and the outer is 320 m long and there are traces of other population. It is believed that the settlement was inhabited by XI century. The excavations uncovered the well-preserved remains of burnt houses-collapsed wattle-and-daub walls, house floors, installations such as ovens as well as concentrations of finds in situ. All archaeological materials and features at the site date to the Late Chalcolithic period. The materials correspond typologically to the Late Chalcolithic finds from Durankulak and Varna. Photo by: Petar Petrov /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#921545

22 November 2015

A drone view of chalcolithic settlement Bobata near Avren, pictured on 21 November 2015, Saturday, some 450 km from the capital of Sofia, lies on a top of a rock with an area of 0,25 ha on the north-western edge of the Avren plateau. It is aged about V-II century B.C. The settlement is approachable only from the north side, while the east, south and west sides are vertical and over 120 m high rocks. The accessible north side is enclosed by a 65 m long, arc-shaped stone wall. The settlement has a strategic defensive position, overlooking the major trade route leading from the lakes of Varna and Beloslav through the Balkan range via the low Aytos pass to Thrace. A 12,20 m long section of the stone enclosure wall was uncovered. The wall is constructed of large undressed stones without mortar and is preserved to a maximal height of 1,60 m. The width of this structure was 1,80-2,00 m. The chalcolithic cultural layer in the interior of the settlement is 1,30 m thick and includes two forts of habitation. The inner fort is 190 m long and there were lived thracian senior citizens, and the outer is 320 m long and there are traces of other population. It is believed that the settlement was inhabited by XI century. The excavations uncovered the well-preserved remains of burnt houses-collapsed wattle-and-daub walls, house floors, installations such as ovens as well as concentrations of finds in situ. All archaeological materials and features at the site date to the Late Chalcolithic period. The materials correspond typologically to the Late Chalcolithic finds from Durankulak and Varna. Photo by: Petar Petrov /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#916246

20 November 2015

A drone view of a mound where a prehistoric settlement and the first European processed gold was discovered in September near the town of Provadia, Varna region, some 450 km from the capital Sofia, 19, November, Thursday. The first European processed gold was found in this settlement near Provadia, Varna region. It is at least 6,300 years old and has been discovered by archaeologists excavating of a pre historic salt extracting center in the town, the Solnitsata (i.e. The Salt Pit), which has been dubbed Europe's oldest prehistoric town, located near the northeastern Bulgarian town of Provadia. The sophisticated gold jewel has been found by the team of archaeologist Prof. Vasil Nikolov from the National Institute and Museum of Archaeology. The gold jewel from the Solnitsata weighs about 2 grams, and appears to be made of 23 24 carat gold. It is unclear whether the gold jewel found near Bulgaria's Provadiya was worn by a woman or by a man, in order to signify his high social status. This is the first time we have found gold here. But we also have hundreds of other new finds, says Prof. Nikolov. The necropolis of the The Salt Pit prehistoric town is dated to around 4,300 BC, i.e. the Late Chalcolithic Period, but Nikolov believes the gold could be 200-300 years older. Photo by: Petar Petrov /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#916248

20 November 2015

A drone view of a mound where a prehistoric settlement and the first European processed gold was discovered in September near the town of Provadia, Varna region, some 450 km from the capital Sofia, 19, November, Thursday. The first European processed gold was found in this settlement near Provadia, Varna region. It is at least 6,300 years old and has been discovered by archaeologists excavating of a pre historic salt extracting center in the town, the Solnitsata (i.e. The Salt Pit), which has been dubbed Europe's oldest prehistoric town, located near the northeastern Bulgarian town of Provadia. The sophisticated gold jewel has been found by the team of archaeologist Prof. Vasil Nikolov from the National Institute and Museum of Archaeology. The gold jewel from the Solnitsata weighs about 2 grams, and appears to be made of 23 24 carat gold. It is unclear whether the gold jewel found near Bulgaria's Provadiya was worn by a woman or by a man, in order to signify his high social status. This is the first time we have found gold here. But we also have hundreds of other new finds, says Prof. Nikolov. The necropolis of the The Salt Pit prehistoric town is dated to around 4,300 BC, i.e. the Late Chalcolithic Period, but Nikolov believes the gold could be 200-300 years older. Photo by: Petar Petrov /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#916252

20 November 2015

A drone view of a mound where a prehistoric settlement and the first European processed gold was discovered in September near the town of Provadia, Varna region, some 450 km from the capital Sofia, 19, November, Thursday. The first European processed gold was found in this settlement near Provadia, Varna region. It is at least 6,300 years old and has been discovered by archaeologists excavating of a pre historic salt extracting center in the town, the Solnitsata (i.e. The Salt Pit), which has been dubbed Europe's oldest prehistoric town, located near the northeastern Bulgarian town of Provadia. The sophisticated gold jewel has been found by the team of archaeologist Prof. Vasil Nikolov from the National Institute and Museum of Archaeology. The gold jewel from the Solnitsata weighs about 2 grams, and appears to be made of 23 24 carat gold. It is unclear whether the gold jewel found near Bulgaria's Provadiya was worn by a woman or by a man, in order to signify his high social status. This is the first time we have found gold here. But we also have hundreds of other new finds, says Prof. Nikolov. The necropolis of the The Salt Pit prehistoric town is dated to around 4,300 BC, i.e. the Late Chalcolithic Period, but Nikolov believes the gold could be 200-300 years older. Photo by: Petar Petrov /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#811162

28 September 2015

Archaeologists shows different artifacts and explore prehistoric settlement near the town of Provadia, Varna region, some 450 km from the capital Sofia, 25, September, Friday. The first European processed gold (not pictured) was found in this settlement near Provadia, Varna region. It is at least 6,300 years old and has been discovered by archaeologists excavating of a pre-historic salt-extracting center in the town, the Solnitsata (i.e."The Salt Pit"), which has been dubbed "Europe's oldest prehistoric town", located near the northeastern Bulgarian town of Provadiya. The sophisticated gold jewel has been found by the team of archaeologist Prof. Vasil Nikolov from the National Institute and Museum of Archaeology. The gold jewel from the Solnitsata weighs about 2 grams, and appears to be made of 23-24 carat gold. It is unclear whether the gold jewel found near Bulgaria's Provadiya was worn by a woman or by a man, in order to signify his high social status. "This is the first time we have found gold here. But we also have hundreds of other new finds," says Prof. Nikolov. The necropolis of the The Salt Pit prehistoric town is dated to around 4,300 BC, i.e. the Late Chalcolithic Period, but Nikolov believes the gold could be 200-300 years older. Photo by: Emily Plamenova /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#811163

28 September 2015

Archaeologists shows different artifacts and explore prehistoric settlement near the town of Provadia, Varna region, some 450 km from the capital Sofia, 25, September, Friday. The first European processed gold (not pictured) was found in this settlement near Provadia, Varna region. It is at least 6,300 years old and has been discovered by archaeologists excavating of a pre-historic salt-extracting center in the town, the Solnitsata (i.e."The Salt Pit"), which has been dubbed "Europe's oldest prehistoric town", located near the northeastern Bulgarian town of Provadiya. The sophisticated gold jewel has been found by the team of archaeologist Prof. Vasil Nikolov from the National Institute and Museum of Archaeology. The gold jewel from the Solnitsata weighs about 2 grams, and appears to be made of 23-24 carat gold. It is unclear whether the gold jewel found near Bulgaria's Provadiya was worn by a woman or by a man, in order to signify his high social status. "This is the first time we have found gold here. But we also have hundreds of other new finds," says Prof. Nikolov. The necropolis of the The Salt Pit prehistoric town is dated to around 4,300 BC, i.e. the Late Chalcolithic Period, but Nikolov believes the gold could be 200-300 years older. Photo by: Emily Plamenova /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#811165

28 September 2015

Archaeologists shows different artifacts and explore prehistoric settlement near the town of Provadia, Varna region, some 450 km from the capital Sofia, 25, September, Friday. The first European processed gold (not pictured) was found in this settlement near Provadia, Varna region. It is at least 6,300 years old and has been discovered by archaeologists excavating of a pre-historic salt-extracting center in the town, the Solnitsata (i.e."The Salt Pit"), which has been dubbed "Europe's oldest prehistoric town", located near the northeastern Bulgarian town of Provadiya. The sophisticated gold jewel has been found by the team of archaeologist Prof. Vasil Nikolov from the National Institute and Museum of Archaeology. The gold jewel from the Solnitsata weighs about 2 grams, and appears to be made of 23-24 carat gold. It is unclear whether the gold jewel found near Bulgaria's Provadiya was worn by a woman or by a man, in order to signify his high social status. "This is the first time we have found gold here. But we also have hundreds of other new finds," says Prof. Nikolov. The necropolis of the The Salt Pit prehistoric town is dated to around 4,300 BC, i.e. the Late Chalcolithic Period, but Nikolov believes the gold could be 200-300 years older. Photo by: Emily Plamenova /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#811166

28 September 2015

Archaeologists shows different artifacts and explore prehistoric settlement near the town of Provadia, Varna region, some 450 km from the capital Sofia, 25, September, Friday. The first European processed gold (not pictured) was found in this settlement near Provadia, Varna region. It is at least 6,300 years old and has been discovered by archaeologists excavating of a pre-historic salt-extracting center in the town, the Solnitsata (i.e."The Salt Pit"), which has been dubbed "Europe's oldest prehistoric town", located near the northeastern Bulgarian town of Provadiya. The sophisticated gold jewel has been found by the team of archaeologist Prof. Vasil Nikolov from the National Institute and Museum of Archaeology. The gold jewel from the Solnitsata weighs about 2 grams, and appears to be made of 23-24 carat gold. It is unclear whether the gold jewel found near Bulgaria's Provadiya was worn by a woman or by a man, in order to signify his high social status. "This is the first time we have found gold here. But we also have hundreds of other new finds," says Prof. Nikolov. The necropolis of the The Salt Pit prehistoric town is dated to around 4,300 BC, i.e. the Late Chalcolithic Period, but Nikolov believes the gold could be 200-300 years older. Photo by: Emily Plamenova /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#811173

28 September 2015

Archaeologists shows different artifacts and explore prehistoric settlement near the town of Provadia, Varna region, some 450 km from the capital Sofia, 25, September, Friday. The first European processed gold (not pictured) was found in this settlement near Provadia, Varna region. It is at least 6,300 years old and has been discovered by archaeologists excavating of a pre-historic salt-extracting center in the town, the Solnitsata (i.e."The Salt Pit"), which has been dubbed "Europe's oldest prehistoric town", located near the northeastern Bulgarian town of Provadiya. The sophisticated gold jewel has been found by the team of archaeologist Prof. Vasil Nikolov from the National Institute and Museum of Archaeology. The gold jewel from the Solnitsata weighs about 2 grams, and appears to be made of 23-24 carat gold. It is unclear whether the gold jewel found near Bulgaria's Provadiya was worn by a woman or by a man, in order to signify his high social status. "This is the first time we have found gold here. But we also have hundreds of other new finds," says Prof. Nikolov. The necropolis of the The Salt Pit prehistoric town is dated to around 4,300 BC, i.e. the Late Chalcolithic Period, but Nikolov believes the gold could be 200-300 years older. Photo by: Petar Petrov /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#811175

28 September 2015

Archaeologists shows different artifacts and explore prehistoric settlement near the town of Provadia, Varna region, some 450 km from the capital Sofia, 25, September, Friday. The first European processed gold (not pictured) was found in this settlement near Provadia, Varna region. It is at least 6,300 years old and has been discovered by archaeologists excavating of a pre-historic salt-extracting center in the town, the Solnitsata (i.e."The Salt Pit"), which has been dubbed "Europe's oldest prehistoric town", located near the northeastern Bulgarian town of Provadiya. The sophisticated gold jewel has been found by the team of archaeologist Prof. Vasil Nikolov from the National Institute and Museum of Archaeology. The gold jewel from the Solnitsata weighs about 2 grams, and appears to be made of 23-24 carat gold. It is unclear whether the gold jewel found near Bulgaria's Provadiya was worn by a woman or by a man, in order to signify his high social status. "This is the first time we have found gold here. But we also have hundreds of other new finds," says Prof. Nikolov. The necropolis of the The Salt Pit prehistoric town is dated to around 4,300 BC, i.e. the Late Chalcolithic Period, but Nikolov believes the gold could be 200-300 years older. Photo by: Petar Petrov /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#811176

28 September 2015

Archaeologists shows different artifacts and explore prehistoric settlement near the town of Provadia, Varna region, some 450 km from the capital Sofia, 25, September, Friday. The first European processed gold (not pictured) was found in this settlement near Provadia, Varna region. It is at least 6,300 years old and has been discovered by archaeologists excavating of a pre-historic salt-extracting center in the town, the Solnitsata (i.e."The Salt Pit"), which has been dubbed "Europe's oldest prehistoric town", located near the northeastern Bulgarian town of Provadiya. The sophisticated gold jewel has been found by the team of archaeologist Prof. Vasil Nikolov from the National Institute and Museum of Archaeology. The gold jewel from the Solnitsata weighs about 2 grams, and appears to be made of 23-24 carat gold. It is unclear whether the gold jewel found near Bulgaria's Provadiya was worn by a woman or by a man, in order to signify his high social status. "This is the first time we have found gold here. But we also have hundreds of other new finds," says Prof. Nikolov. The necropolis of the The Salt Pit prehistoric town is dated to around 4,300 BC, i.e. the Late Chalcolithic Period, but Nikolov believes the gold could be 200-300 years older. Photo by: Petar Petrov /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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#811177

28 September 2015

Archaeologists shows different artifacts and explore prehistoric settlement near the town of Provadia, Varna region, some 450 km from the capital Sofia, 25, September, Friday. The first European processed gold (not pictured) was found in this settlement near Provadia, Varna region. It is at least 6,300 years old and has been discovered by archaeologists excavating of a pre-historic salt-extracting center in the town, the Solnitsata (i.e."The Salt Pit"), which has been dubbed "Europe's oldest prehistoric town", located near the northeastern Bulgarian town of Provadiya. The sophisticated gold jewel has been found by the team of archaeologist Prof. Vasil Nikolov from the National Institute and Museum of Archaeology. The gold jewel from the Solnitsata weighs about 2 grams, and appears to be made of 23-24 carat gold. It is unclear whether the gold jewel found near Bulgaria's Provadiya was worn by a woman or by a man, in order to signify his high social status. "This is the first time we have found gold here. But we also have hundreds of other new finds," says Prof. Nikolov. The necropolis of the The Salt Pit prehistoric town is dated to around 4,300 BC, i.e. the Late Chalcolithic Period, but Nikolov believes the gold could be 200-300 years older. Photo by: Petar Petrov /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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