site.btaRescue Excavations at Heraclea Sintica Add Untouched Grave to New Finds

Continuing rescue excavations at the western necropolis of Heraclea Sintica, a Roman settlement in southwestern Bulgaria, revealed an untouched grave with seven well-preserved clay vessels, Prof. Lyudmil Vagalinski, who leads the excavations, told BTA Friday. So far, archaeologists have extracted five bowls, a jug and a lamp dating the find to the 2nd – 1st century BC.

The untouched grave dug out in the rock provides a better insight into the ritual of burying the dead, Vagalinski said.

This week’s discoveries include a terracotta figurine of the Celtic goddess Epona astride a horse as well as a toy, a clay lamp and a ceramic jug.

The rescue excavations were prompted by the pending launch of the Bulgaria - Greece gas pipeline expansion project.