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Ancient chariot found in Bulgaria
Archaeologists have unearthed a 1,900-year-old well-preserved chariot at an ancient Thracian tomb in southeastern Bulgaria, the head of the excavation said on thursday.
- AP
- Published: 23:59 August 7, 2008
- Image Credit: EPA
- A detail of the horse-pulled carriage discovered in the Thracian tomb shows an animal figurine.
Sofia, Bulgaria: Archaeologists have unearthed a 1,900-year-old well-preserved chariot at an ancient Thracian tomb in southeastern Bulgaria, the head of the excavation said on thursday.
Daniela Agre said her team found the four-wheel chariot during excavations near the village of Borisovo, some 290km east of the capital, Sofia.
"This is the first time that we have found a completely preserved chariot in Bulgaria," said Agre, a senior archaeologist at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
She said previous excavations had only unearthed single parts of chariots - often because ancients sites had been looted.
At the funerary mound, the team also discovered table pottery, glass vessels and other gifts for the funeral of a wealthy Thracian aristocrat.
In a separate pit, they unearthed skeletons of two riding horses apparently sacrificed during the funeral of the nobleman, along with well preserved bronze and leather objects, some believed to horse harnesses.
The Culture Ministry confirmed the find and announced 5,000 leva (Dh14,200) in financial assistance for Agre's excavation. Agre said an additional amount of 10,000 leva will be allocated by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences for an initial restoration and conservation of the chariot and the other Thracian finds.
The Thracians were an ancient people that inhabited the lands of present day Bulgaria and parts of modern Greece, Turkey, Macedonia and Romania between 4,000 BC and the 6th century AD, when they were assimilated by the invading Slavs.
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