World Archeology Worrisome on Fate of Thracian Gold

Society | March 13, 2005, Sunday // 00:00

The spectacular discoveries of Bulgarian archeologist Georgi Kitov in the gold-laden Valley of Kingslast summer raise questions about managing Bulgaria's past, prestigious Archeology magazine wrote in its latest issue dedicated to the Royal Balkan Treasure.

While the sensational finds from a 2,500-year-old necropolis dubbed the "Valley of the Thracian Kings" have fired the imagination of the Bulgarian public and the world beyond.

The fantastic Thracian gold, silver, bronze, and ceramic objects, 28 in all, were discovered only eight miles away and on public display in the small exhibition hall the Iskra History Museum in Kazanluk where the excavations were conducted.

"I have no words," Nadka Nenkova, a 66-year-old retired economist who had just seen the exhibit, was quoted as saying by the magazine columnist. "All this time it's been underground, and we didn't even know it was there."

The fabulous story behind the discoveries of Dr Kitov has been centered on the controversial methods of the archaeologist dubbed Bulgaria's Indiana Jones.

Despite being largely critisised by colleagues for using unorthodox excavation practices, shady business deals, allegations of collaborations with looters, Kitov has earned undisputable recognition in Bulgaria and abroad for bringing to daylight invaluable treasures of ancient Thracian kings.

Earlier in March Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg greenlighted the project "Valley of the Thracian Kings" meant to attract the world attention towards the ancient heritage of Bulgaria.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!

Society » Be a reporter: Write and send your article

Advertisement
Advertisement
Bulgaria news Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) is unique with being a real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news. The editorial staff also publishes a daily online newspaper "Sofia Morning News." Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) and Sofia Morning News publish the latest economic, political and cultural news that take place in Bulgaria. Foreign media analysis on Bulgaria and World News in Brief are also part of the web site and the online newspaper. News Bulgaria