grinner
09-24-2004, 05:24 PM
Ancient bronze head discovered
From correspondents in Sofia
September 24, 2004
BULGARIAN archaeologists have unearthed a 2300-year old bronze head depicting an ancient Thracian ruler in a find they called unique for the era, a newspaper reported today.
"This massive bronze head dates back to the 4th century BC ... and is the first discovery of its kind, as no similar metal objects of Thracian art have been found," the project's lead archaeologist, Georgi Kitov, told the Bulgarian daily 24 Chasa.
Dr. Kitov, who is at the excavation site, could not be immediately reached for comment.
The head weighs 10kg and bears the image of a balding bearded man, most likely a Thracian ruler, Dr. Kitov was quoted as saying.
The discovery was made late on Tuesday near the town of Shipka, 200km east of Sofia.
The Thracians lived in what is now Bulgaria between 4000 BC and the 8th century AD, when they were assimilated by the invading Slavs.
Like their neighbours, the ancient Greeks, they worshipped wine and fertility, of which Dionysus is god in the Greek mythology.
Dozens of Thracian mounds are spread throughout the region, which archaeologists have dubbed "the Bulgarian valley of kings" in reference to the Valley of Kings near Luxor, Egypt, home to the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs.
"The bronze head apparently was severed from a whole statue and then buried in a ritual aimed at appeasing Thracian gods," Dr. Kitov told 24 Chasa.
In August, Dr. Kitov's team unearthed a 2400-year old golden mask in the tomb of an ancient Thracian king located in the same arealink (http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1274&storyid=1984576)
From correspondents in Sofia
September 24, 2004
BULGARIAN archaeologists have unearthed a 2300-year old bronze head depicting an ancient Thracian ruler in a find they called unique for the era, a newspaper reported today.
"This massive bronze head dates back to the 4th century BC ... and is the first discovery of its kind, as no similar metal objects of Thracian art have been found," the project's lead archaeologist, Georgi Kitov, told the Bulgarian daily 24 Chasa.
Dr. Kitov, who is at the excavation site, could not be immediately reached for comment.
The head weighs 10kg and bears the image of a balding bearded man, most likely a Thracian ruler, Dr. Kitov was quoted as saying.
The discovery was made late on Tuesday near the town of Shipka, 200km east of Sofia.
The Thracians lived in what is now Bulgaria between 4000 BC and the 8th century AD, when they were assimilated by the invading Slavs.
Like their neighbours, the ancient Greeks, they worshipped wine and fertility, of which Dionysus is god in the Greek mythology.
Dozens of Thracian mounds are spread throughout the region, which archaeologists have dubbed "the Bulgarian valley of kings" in reference to the Valley of Kings near Luxor, Egypt, home to the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs.
"The bronze head apparently was severed from a whole statue and then buried in a ritual aimed at appeasing Thracian gods," Dr. Kitov told 24 Chasa.
In August, Dr. Kitov's team unearthed a 2400-year old golden mask in the tomb of an ancient Thracian king located in the same arealink (http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1274&storyid=1984576)