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

Cuman settlement discovered near fortress of Ryahovets in Gorna Oryahovitsa

Photo: Zdravka Maslyankova, BNR correspondent

Archaeologists from the Historical Museum in the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa have discovered a settlement of the Cumans this summer during the excavations of a medieval necropolis east of the Thracian fortress of Rykhovets near the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa, reports BNR correspondent Zdravka Maslyankova. 

The archaeological site was found accidentally in 2021 during the works for the reclamation of a municipal waste dump in the town. 

Nearly 70 archaeological structures have been uncovered. Among them are dwellings, hearths and pits dating back to the 13th century. Fifteen graves were also recorded, indicating some departure from Christian burial rites. 


According to the archaeologist prof. Hitko Vachev, scientific consultant of the archaeological team, it is a Cuman settlement. 

"The Cumans were an ally of all Bulgarian kings. Several Cuman princesses were Bulgarian queens. We have rich sources in this regard, but until now we have not had the material traces of where the Cumans were settled," he explained. Among the interesting finds are several cult pits with horse skulls laid inside, as well as one with a whole horse skeleton, coins from the first half of the 13th century, bone objects, copper bracelets, and a large furnace. 


Children volunteers and their parents took part in cleaning the latest finds.

The archaeological team hopes to be able to join a project to carry out a full survey of the site.



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

"Through the Doors of Time" – 190 years of innovative spirit inspiring the students of the Aprilov National High School

The Aprilov National High School in the beautiful Bulgarian town of Gabrovo nestled in the foot of the Balkan Range celebrates its 190th anniversary in 2025. Following in the traditions of the Gabrovo Mutual School – the first secular school in..

published on 1/13/25 4:35 PM

UNESCO delegates to visit Boyana Church

The Boyana Church will be an attractive center for the delegates of the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee , who will gather in Sofia in July this year. The Church of St. Nicholas and St. Panteleimon is one of the..

published on 1/12/25 9:10 AM

The Naval Academy in Varna has marked its 144th anniversary

The Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna has marked 144 years since its founding. A period in which the educational institution has followed the trends for highly specialized training of specialists in various professional fields..

published on 1/11/25 7:55 AM