site.btaIsperih Museum of History Director Vasileva: Sveshtari Tomb Preserves Thracian and Hellenistic Achievements

The Thracian royal tomb near the village of Sveshtari, Isperih, is celebrated not only for its exceptional state of preservation but also for the distinctive Hellenistic artistic achievements introduced into the Thracian environment, Director of Isperih Museum of History and archaeologist Teodora Vasileva said at the launch of the July edition of LIK, which focuses on the theme Bulgaria in UNESCO.

Vasileva shared that the tomb was discovered in 1982 and was examined within a very short period by an interdisciplinary team led by senior research fellow Maria Chichekova. As a result, the tomb rapidly entered the UNESCO list: it was named a monument in 1985 due to the remarkably well-preserved state of the entire structure. She added the tomb consists of three asymmetrically arranged burial chambers covered by a semi-cylindrical vault, which is an innovative application of vaulting in the Hellenistic world.

The tomb is notable for its harmoniously integrated decoration, with some elements executed as stone sculptures known as caryatids. The painted lunette scene in the royal tomb chamber identifies the individual interred as the ruler of the Thracian Getae tribe. Vasileva noted that from the depiction of the scene in the lunette, it is clear that the Mother Goddess presents a wreath, thereby introducing the ruler into a new status: that of deification.

The 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee runs until July 16 at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris under the presidency of Bulgaria. As part of the session, Bulgaria will present elements of its cultural and natural heritage. The July issue of LIK magazine, dedicated to Bulgaria and UNESCO, was also officially presented at UNESCO.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded on November 16, 1945. Bulgaria became a member on May 17, 1956, the same year its National Commission for UNESCO was established. The Commission coordinates activities between Bulgarian institutions and UNESCO.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee is one of the two governing bodies responsible for implementing the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. It is composed of representatives from 21 countries elected from among the 196 States Parties to the Convention.