Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Archaeologists uncover an amulet bearing an inscription in Cyrillic dating from the times of Tsar Simeon the Great

Photo: BTA

A lead plate amulet bearing an inscription in Cyrillic dating from the times of Tsar Simeon the Great was discovered in the fortification "Balak Dere" near the village of Huhla, Ivaylovgrad Municipality, said Ivaylo Kanev, member of the archaeological team with National Museum of History. 

There are seven lines on the inside and four lines on the inside. The names of the supplicants, Nikola and Pavel, were successfully deciphered on the lead plate amulet, the BTA reported. The amulet was discovered in a cultural layer attributable to the beginning of the 10th century. This gives scientists reason to assume that they have found one of the earliest known Cyrillic texts. The geographically closest similar artefacts are two 10th-11th century amulets found near Kardzhali and Haskovo. According to Ivaylo Kanev, there was a Bulgarian garrison at Balak Dere during Tsar Simeon’s march on Constantinople, and the lead plate amulet belonged to his warriors. 

Translation and publication by K. Atanasov


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Regional History Museum - Sofia presents video stories of iconic buildings

In its latest digital section “Buildings Tell a Story”, the Regional History Museum – Sofia presents the stories of iconic buildings in the center of the Bulgarian capital city, as well as of the people who once lived in them. The video initiative..

published on 12/28/24 7:20 AM
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary cathedral in Sofia, part of the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church

Supreme Court of Cassation rules that the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church must be registered

T he Supreme Court of Cassation has given final judgement that the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church must be registered in the register of religious denominations. This isthe first time a second Orthodox church will be registered, the..

published on 12/27/24 9:32 AM
“The Virgin Mary” Arbanasi Monastery

Tracing Albanian ancestry in the Arbanasi architectural reserve

The Arbanasi architectural reserve near Veliko Tarnovo is one of the most popular tourist destinations . The medieval monasteries and churches, including the Church of the Nativity, are particularly attractive. The churches of Arbanasi are museum sites..

published on 12/27/24 8:55 AM