A UNIQUE ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE NEEDS CONSERVATION

A unique archeological site near the village of Barutin, in the very south of Bulgaria, situated in the Rhodopi Mountainin, is in a state of neglect. Many plants and 15 year-old trees thrive in the site.

The alert about its condition was made by the archeologist Nikolai Damyanov, who in the past did the excavation works and discovered one-off finds. The site has been affected by general deterioration over time and appropriate funding will be needed to carry out restoration and conservation works.

According to the archeologist, the Ministry of Culture should examine the issue in order to find a solution, because the archaeological site, called Dolna Bartina, is of both national and European significance.

Among the residents of the village of Barutin, the area is known as “The Church”. In 1985, Nikola Damyanov started excavation works in the region and discovered an old Christian tomb, dating back from the late 4^th century and unique for the Rhodopi mountain area.

The tomb is situated behind a three-nave basilica, which foundations are visible. The whole area appeared to be a Christian necropolis.

The excavations revealed something else: Christianity was professed, although secretly, in the region until the early 17^th century. This was confirmed by the burials, characterized with typical Christian rituals. One of the graves revealed an ancient custom according to which a coin is placed in the mouth of the dead person to use it in the afterlife.

A large part of the finds are now in the exposition of the Museum of History in Smolyan (a town and ski resort in the South of Bulgaria, situated at the foot of the Rhodopi Mountain).

At present, the site itself, named Dolna Bartina, is in a state of neglect and needs urgent conservation.