The tracian tumulus at Opalchenetz – 80 years later (Some remarks on the question of rich female tombs in ancient Thrace)
The tracian tumulus at Opalchenetz – 80 years later (Some remarks on the question of rich female tombs in ancient Thrace)

Summary/Abstract: The tumulus is located 3 km east of the village Opalchenetz (Bulgaria) and was studied 80 years ago. Here was discovered a tomb containing a rich funerary inventory, including a gold pectoral. The anthropological analysis of the deceased has not been conducted, but based on the objects discovered was found that the deceased was a female.The topic of rich female burials are being discussed for a long time without finding of a clear solution. In the first half of the 20th century some rich burials, such as those of Davanlij (near Plovdiv), Kukova Mogila etc. were considered female burials. Alexander Fol considered in the 80ies of the last century that there were no rich female burials in ancient Thracia, nor funerary ceremonies related to them. The presence of female adornments of high quality in the tombs was interpreted by Al. Fol as something related to the ritual cult of the king. Therefore, previously considered women burials were now interpreted as men’s burials (“Royal”).Later, in the Smjadovo mound was discovered a burial chamber with a rich inventory and inscriptions which made clear that it is a female burial. This discovery allows the admission of the hypothesis about the existence of rich women burials. In this context, after 80 years we can get back to the grave from the Opalchenetz tumulus, whose inventory did not give then a clear answer to the question about who was buried: a rich woman or a king.

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