Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

A Hobbiton discovered by archaeologists in Perperikon

Prof Ovcharov said the tiny houses resembling Hobbit dwellings were homes for the poor

Perperikon
Photo: Facebook /Vladislav Terziiski Photography

A village of small houses dating from the 13th-15th cent. AD, very similar to the dwellings of the Hobbits, has been excavated by archaeologist Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov and his team. It is a complex of a dozen small houses located in the southern part of the rock city of Perperikon. Prof Ovcharov told BNR-Kardzhali that the complex bears a strong resemblance to the city of the Hobbits in 'The Lord of the Rings'. 

Whole families lived in houses no larger than 20 square metres. Cooking utensils, chrome pots and tools have been found. There are narrow streets between the houses.

According to the archaeologists, the houses were inhabited by the poorer part of Perperikon's population, which numbered around 5,000 people at the time. "This is not a small number, as it was the population of Vienna at the same time," says Professor Nikolai Ovcharov.

At the end of the 14th century, burials took place there. The data show that the population declined sharply. This was probably due to the plague that hit Europe at that time, the archaeologists believe.



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

Vazrazdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov

The Economic and Social Council with strong reaction against Vazrazhdane-proposed bill on foreign agents

The Economic and Social Council of the Republic of Bulgaria strongly criticizes the bill tabled by Vazrazhdane party on the registration of foreign agents submitted to the National Assembly. In a resolution, the Council described the proposals as..

published on 11/24/24 12:09 PM

An average of seven unemployed Bulgarians compete for one open position

An average of seven unemployed people are competing for one job across the country in 2024, according to the National Employment Agency. The unemployment rate in Bulgaria remained at 5.2% in October  The strongest competition is in the..

published on 11/24/24 11:55 AM

Festive Christmas spirit pervades the Bulgarian capital

Sofia will welcome the Christmas and New Year holidays with brilliant decorations in all areas of the city. A major highlight in the transformation of the capital will be the beautiful Christmas trees placed in key locations. The tallest among..

published on 11/24/24 9:50 AM