The cross in the lower part of the carved bone discovered near Garbrovo is absolutely unique for Bulgaria. Photo by Darik News
A new exhibit displaying unique recent archaeological discoveries has been opened at the Regional History Museum in Bulgaria's Gabrovo.
The most interesting item on display is a carved bone that has been discovered during excavations of a Roman settlement near the village of Granishte, close to the city of Gabrovo.
The bone carving shows a horse and a horseman in its upper end, and a unique type of cross in its lower end. Bulgarian archaeologists have never found a cross that looks like that one, according to the Museum Director, Petar Totsev.
He dates the carved bone to the 6th century AD, and believes it was a part of a loom. In his words, the cross carving testifies for the spreading of Christianity in the territories of Bulgaria.
The exhibit, which is entitled "Gradishte - a Roman Settlement in the Heart of the Balkan Mountain", also features tools, glass and amber decorations, clay vessels and pictures of the remains of the excavated Roman fort near Gradishte.