site.btaArchaeologists Set at Finding Early Dionysus Temple at Perperikon Site

Archaeologists have finally begun this year’s excavation season at the site of the ancient stone city of Perperikon, said Prof. Nikolai Ovcharov. After many delays, they will be able to get to their task of uncovering the secrets of the temple of Dionysus, added Ovcharov, who leads the exploration of the Peperikon complex in the Rhodope Mountains, Southern Bulgaria.

This summer just 19 “veteran” workers will be engaged in the digs to help archaeologists find what Ovcharov says are the secret temple premises, including the famous oracle room where Alexander the Great is supposed to have learnt he would conquer the world.

The site in question is a large building with massive stone walls, quite close to the main Dionysus altar. The building was located in 2005 but is to be uncovered this year, Ovcharov explained.

The change of plan was necessitated by the lack of government funding, the professor said.