the direction of Mihail
Lazarov (1972–1976)
and Ivan Ivanov (1972–
1991), revealing for
the first time the magnificent civilization of
Varna.
More than 300 graves
were uncovered in
the necropolis, and
between them over
22,000 exquisite artifacts were recovered,
including 3,000+ items
made from gold with a
total weight of 6 kilograms. Other precious
relics found within the
graves included copper,
high-quality flint, stone
tools, jewellery, shells
of Mediterranean mollusks, pottery, obsidian
blades, and beads.
highly structured society – elite members
of society were buried
in shrouds with gold
ornaments sewn into
the cloth wrappings and
their graves were laden
with treasures, including gold ornaments,
heavy copper axes, elegant finery, and richly decorated ceramics,
while others had simple
burials
w i t h
f e w
grave
goods.
“There
is
a
clear
distinct i o n
in the
t y p e
and the
Analysis of the graves quality of the grave gifts
revealed
that
the which is determined by
Varna culture had a the social rather than
11
the material status of
the deceased,” said Dr
Slavchev. “This distinction is proof of social
stratification in the Late
Chalcolithic period in
the Balkans –the Varna
cemetery
illustrates
the early stage of the
emergence of a classseparated society.”
Dr Vladimir Slavchev,
a curator at the Varna
Regional Museum
of History