Експедиция Банско. 30 години след началото: резултати
Bansko Expedition – 30 years later

Summary/Abstract: On June 26, 1987 Professor Fol put the beginnings of Bansko Expedition. His programme was grounded on the idea of the roots from which the intellectual power broke off in the 18th c. to give birth to the Bulgarian Revival – a brave new idea against the common belief that Bansko was founded in the 15th century by refugees from the Ottoman invasion. The members of the expedition believed that far back in time a rich pre-history existed waiting to be revealed and read properly. Today we know much better the territory after historical research, terrain observations, regular archaeological excavations and interdisciplinary analyses of artifacts. The work presents the results. St. Ivan Sanctuary A small mound with two wooden crosses and wooden iconostasis with candles. Offerings of flowers and small coins. The research revealed a sanctuary of nearly three thousand years of life and unchanged practices. Kilns for building ceramics, 4th – 6th c. in the same area. Early Christian (4th – 6th c.) and Medieval churches and a large necropolis (10th – 13th c.) all of them built over a Thracian sanctuary – Shipotsko site. The building manner of the Early Christian church has followed some earlier Thracian building practices. Most probably serious demographic changes have not taken place. The religious site was visited also by pilgrims coming from the Rhodopian Mountain judging from the pottery left. Early Christian necropolis (4th – 5th c.) in Karagonsko site. Traces of a Thracian community recently adopted Christianity and still keeping some of their earlier inherent practices. An interesting find – one of the graves contained a complete bronze belt set from the time of Constantine the Great or heirs, found for the first time in the Southern Bulgaria – a dramatic meeting between the Thracian warrior and Rome? Ancient and Medieval town in St. Nickolas site. Early Byzantine fortress of Sitan Kale – once again earlier Thracian building traditions.

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