A Bulgarian team of archaeologists found a neighborhood of an old Byzantine town underwater near cape Akin in the Bulgarian Black Sea town of Chernomorets.

The team, led by Burgas Regional History Museum vice-director Ivan Hristov, believe that the remains are part of the 6th century Byzantine fortress Krimna.

Chernomorets is located just north of the ancient town and current tourist hub of Sozopol.

The parts of the Krimna fortress discovered up to now on dry land cover some 10 acres, with walls measuring 2.6 m in thickness.

Coins found at the site have shown that the fortress has been bulit by Emperor Anastasius I around 513 AD, enhanced by Justinian, but then probably destroyed by an Avar and Slavic invasion around 583-6.

Fluctuations in the level of the Black Sea explain why parts of the ancient town are located underwater, say archaeologists.

At present, the new discovery is the only underwater ancient town uncovered in Bulgaria.

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