{"version":2,"locale":"en","id":"story.varna-necropolis","hasFind":true,"slug":"varna-necropolis","url":"/en/stories/varna-necropolis/","topic":"Varna Necropolis","title":"Gold by the lake","summary":"In 1972 an excavator operator in Varna dug up gold more than six thousand years old. A story about the grave of the man with the sceptre, the graves without human remains, and where the wealth came from.","cover":{"title":"Gold by the lake","subtitle":"Varna’s Copper Age cemetery","hook":"Why do some graves have no bones?","summary":"In 1972 an excavator operator in Varna dug up gold more than six thousand years old. A story about the grave of the man with the sceptre, the graves without human remains, and where the wealth came from.","takeaway":"Varna holds one of the earliest large collections of gold. Together, the gold weighs more than six kilograms. Its makers shaped bracelets, beads and small ornaments. But this does not make every object the oldest. Older gold finds exist, even beside the same lake. Varna stands out for the quantity and skill of its goldwork."},"sortYear":-4500,"firstActivity":5,"epoch":{"id":"epoch.chalcolithic","styleId":"chalcolithic","sortOrder":8,"title":"Copper Age","dateLabel":"5th millennium BC · approximate","eraShort":"Copper Age","slug":"chalcolithic","fill":"#A2593A","ink":"#F6EEEA","raised":"#8C4D33","dark":"#8A5B46"},"epochId":"epoch.chalcolithic","placeShort":"Varna","date":"c. 4600–4350 BCE","image":{"alpha":true,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-cutout-480.ae2e5280.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-cutout-960.ae2e5280.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-cutout-1396.ae2e5280.avif","w":1396}],"dominant":"#a6835c","h":1166,"w":1396,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-cutout-960.ae2e5280.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-cutout-960.ae2e5280.webp","id":"asset.varna.bull-appliques-cutout","alt":"The larger bull-shaped gold applique, isolated from the photograph.","objectCaption":"Gold bull appliqués","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"CryolophosaurusEllioti · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 4.0","attribution":"Photo: CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cut-out detail; background removed.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cut-out detail; background removed.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bull-shaped_appliqu%C3%A9s_-_Varna_Regional_Museum_of_History_I.1633-1634.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"},"scenes":[{"id":"varna-necropolis.s1-cable-trench","number":1,"kind":"narrative","title":"A trench for a cable","body":"Autumn 1972. In Varna's Western Industrial Zone, a trench is being dug for an underground electricity cable. The excavator operator, Raycho Marinov, sees metal objects and flint tools in the soil. He collects them and takes them to the museum in nearby Dalgopol. Dalgopol informs Varna, and at the end of October archaeologists from Varna collect the finds.\n\nExcavation begins in November. The scientific director is Ivan Ivanov, later director of the Archaeological Museum in Varna. Beneath the industrial zone lies a cemetery from the Copper Age. The first phase of research covers thirteen seasons up to 1991. Excavation resumed in 2021.","images":[{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-museum-entrance-480.fec5fb5e.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-museum-entrance-960.fec5fb5e.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-museum-entrance-1600.fec5fb5e.avif","w":1600}],"dominant":"#868a8e","h":1200,"w":1600,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-museum-entrance-960.fec5fb5e.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-varna-museum-entrance-960.fec5fb5e.webp","id":"asset.varna.museum.entrance","alt":"Varna Archaeological Museum, 2024; not the discovery site. The facade of the former Girls' High School building with the main entrance and steps.","objectCaption":"Varna Archaeological Museum, 2024; not the discovery site. The facade of the former Girls' High School building with the main entrance and steps.","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"cover","credit":"Wikipek · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC0","attribution":"Photo: Wikipek, Wikimedia Commons, CC0. Varna Archaeological Museum, 2024; not the discovery site. Resized version. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Wikipek, Wikimedia Commons, CC0. Varna Archaeological Museum, 2024; not the discovery site. Resized version. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Varna_Archaeological_Museum,_main_entrance.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en"}],"hotspots":[],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":null,"audio":{"durationSeconds":45.015208333333334,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.varna-necropolis.varna-necropolis.s1-cable-trench","duration":45.141,"src":"/audio/en/varna-necropolis/s1-cable-trench.30e54444.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.visitvarna.discovery"},{"id":"src.chapman2006"},{"id":"src.varna.krauss2017"},{"id":"src.rimv.necropolis2024"},{"id":"src.varna.higham2018"}]},{"id":"varna-necropolis.s2-cemetery-by-the-lake","number":2,"kind":"map","title":"A cemetery above the lake","body":"An ancient cemetery lies beside Lake Varna. It dates from the Copper Age, over six thousand years ago. Archaeologists have uncovered hundreds of graves. Different studies count them differently. Gold was not for everyone here. Some graves hold many gifts; others have very few. Today, the finds can be seen in Varna’s archaeological museum.\n\nThe finds have been on display in the Varna Archaeological Museum building since 1983.","images":[],"hotspots":[],"places":[{"note":"Site of the ancient graves with gold objects, discovered in 1972.","precision":"approximate","id":"place.varna-necropolis","name":"Varna Copper Age cemetery","latitude":43.21445,"longitude":27.87157,"accuracy":"approximate","sourceIds":["src.osm","src.wikidata","src.visitvarna.discovery","src.varna.krauss2017","src.rimv.necropolis2024"],"short":"Varna","radiusMeters":600,"guideUrl":null,"slug":"varna-necropolis","url":"/en/map/#varna-necropolis"},{"note":"The Archaeological Museum in Varna presents finds from the necropolis, allowing comparisons between the burials.","precision":"exact","id":"place.varna-archaeological-museum","name":"Varna Archaeological Museum","latitude":43.20756,"longitude":27.91522,"accuracy":"verified_point","sourceIds":["src.osm","src.rimv.archmuseum"],"short":"Varna","guideUrl":"https://travel-guide-bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/places/varna-archaeological-museum/","slug":"varna-archaeological-museum","url":"/en/map/#varna-archaeological-museum"}],"map":{"light":{"src":"/assets/maps/relief@3x.jpg?v=075869a7dd","w":3072,"h":1987,"avif":[],"webp":[],"responsive":[{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-2x-1024.4c826249.avif","w":1024},{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-3x-1536.8876519a.avif","w":1536},{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-2x-2048.4c826249.avif","w":2048},{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-3x-3072.8876519a.avif","w":3072}]},"dark":{"src":"/assets/maps/relief-dark@3x.jpg?v=0941a59d06","w":3072,"h":1987,"avif":[],"webp":[],"responsive":[{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-dark-2x-1024.73ab39a9.avif","w":1024},{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-dark-3x-1536.4f3ca147.avif","w":1536},{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-dark-2x-2048.73ab39a9.avif","w":2048},{"src":"/media/map/map-relief-dark-3x-3072.4f3ca147.avif","w":3072}]},"places":[{"note":"Site of the ancient graves with gold objects, discovered in 1972.","precision":"approximate","id":"place.varna-necropolis","name":"Varna Copper Age cemetery","latitude":43.21445,"longitude":27.87157,"accuracy":"approximate","sourceIds":["src.osm","src.wikidata","src.visitvarna.discovery","src.varna.krauss2017","src.rimv.necropolis2024"],"short":"Varna","radiusMeters":600,"guideUrl":null,"slug":"varna-necropolis","url":"/en/map/#varna-necropolis","number":1,"x":79.64462,"y":37.17734,"inside":true,"viewX":74.78559380645162,"viewY":47.6589513419355},{"note":"The Archaeological Museum in Varna presents finds from the necropolis, allowing comparisons between the burials.","precision":"exact","id":"place.varna-archaeological-museum","name":"Varna Archaeological Museum","latitude":43.20756,"longitude":27.91522,"accuracy":"verified_point","sourceIds":["src.osm","src.rimv.archmuseum"],"short":"Varna","guideUrl":"https://travel-guide-bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/places/varna-archaeological-museum/","slug":"varna-archaeological-museum","url":"/en/map/#varna-archaeological-museum","number":2,"x":80.19025,"y":37.36007,"inside":true,"viewX":83.78559380645162,"viewY":53.6589513419355}],"extent":[0,0,1,1],"orientation":[{"name":"Sofia","kind":"town","x":22.774,"y":50.826,"viewX":4.3394064516128985,"viewY":65.15565290322583},{"name":"Plovdiv","kind":"town","x":40.566,"y":65.549,"viewX":26.378529032258065,"viewY":84.02958903225807},{"name":"Varna","kind":"town","x":80.184,"y":37.187,"viewX":75.45372903225807,"viewY":47.67133483870968},{"name":"Burgas","kind":"town","x":74.532,"y":55.892,"viewX":68.45254193548386,"viewY":71.64993806451615},{"name":"Ruse","kind":"town","x":55.821,"y":20.617,"viewX":45.275045161290315,"viewY":26.42966387096775},{"name":"Veliko Tarnovo","kind":"town","x":51.465,"y":40.853,"viewX":39.879225806451615,"viewY":52.370910322580656},{"name":"Pleven","kind":"town","x":38.834,"y":31.796,"viewX":24.233083870967743,"viewY":40.7604206451613},{"name":"Stara Zagora","kind":"town","x":51.681,"y":57.962,"viewX":40.14678709677419,"viewY":74.30354451612905},{"name":"Shumen","kind":"town","x":67.951,"y":35.671,"viewX":60.30059354838709,"viewY":45.7279206451613},{"name":"Vidin","kind":"town","x":17.099,"y":16.308,"viewX":-2.69027096774194,"viewY":20.905803870967745},{"name":"Blagoevgrad","kind":"town","x":19.929,"y":68.531,"viewX":0.8152774193548336,"viewY":87.85232064516131},{"name":"Haskovo","kind":"town","x":50.694,"y":70.78,"viewX":38.92418064516129,"viewY":90.73539354838711},{"name":"Smolyan","kind":"town","x":40.014,"y":80.031,"viewX":25.69476129032258,"viewY":102.59457870967745},{"name":"Sliven","kind":"town","x":60.286,"y":51.247,"viewX":50.80588387096775,"viewY":65.69534774193549},{"name":"Dobrich","kind":"town","x":79.091,"y":27.65,"viewX":74.09981935483869,"viewY":35.445516129032264},{"name":"Pernik","kind":"town","x":19.223,"y":53.257,"viewX":-0.05925161290323235,"viewY":68.27203806451614},{"name":"Yambol","kind":"town","x":62.544,"y":56.432,"viewX":53.60289032258064,"viewY":72.34218322580647},{"name":"Pazardzhik","kind":"town","x":35.42,"y":64.052,"viewX":20.004129032258064,"viewY":82.11053161290324},{"name":"Vratsa","kind":"town","x":25.661,"y":37.29,"viewX":7.915561290322577,"viewY":47.8033741935484},{"name":"Gabrovo","kind":"town","x":47.734,"y":46.177,"viewX":35.2576,"viewY":59.19593483870968},{"name":"Kardzhali","kind":"town","x":48.471,"y":78.573,"viewX":36.17052903225806,"viewY":100.72551677419357},{"name":"Kyustendil","kind":"town","x":14.889,"y":61.673,"viewX":-5.427819354838715,"viewY":79.06080709677421},{"name":"Montana","kind":"town","x":21.563,"y":31.916,"viewX":2.8393290322580587,"viewY":40.914252903225815},{"name":"Lovech","kind":"town","x":40.178,"y":39.23,"viewX":25.897909677419346,"viewY":50.29032903225807},{"name":"Silistra","kind":"town","x":72.008,"y":13.056,"viewX":65.32603870967742,"viewY":16.736949677419354},{"name":"Targovishte","kind":"town","x":63.402,"y":36.202,"viewX":54.66570322580645,"viewY":46.40862838709678},{"name":"Razgrad","kind":"town","x":62.709,"y":28.698,"viewX":53.80727741935484,"viewY":36.78898451612904},{"name":"Kazanlak","kind":"town","x":48.661,"y":52.884,"viewX":36.405883870967735,"viewY":67.79387612903227},{"name":"Danube","kind":"nature","x":46.384,"y":23.924,"viewX":33.58534193548387,"viewY":30.66902451612904},{"name":"Black Sea","kind":"nature","x":86.25,"y":45.496,"viewX":82.96774193548387,"viewY":58.322936774193565},{"name":"Balkan Mountains","kind":"nature","x":41.25,"y":49.45,"viewX":27.2258064516129,"viewY":63.39170967741937},{"name":"Rila","kind":"nature","x":25.625,"y":65.69,"viewX":7.870967741935477,"viewY":84.21034193548388},{"name":"Pirin","kind":"nature","x":24.125,"y":75.565,"viewX":6.012903225806446,"viewY":96.86945483870969},{"name":"Rhodope Mountains","kind":"nature","x":38.75,"y":79.447,"viewX":24.129032258064516,"viewY":101.84592838709679},{"name":"Strandzha","kind":"nature","x":76.25,"y":67.774,"viewX":70.5806451612903,"viewY":86.88189548387099}],"crop":{"sx":0.8072916666666666,"sy":0.7800704579768494,"x":0.19270833333333337,"y":0},"credit":{"id":"map-relief"}},"activity":null,"audio":{"durationSeconds":21.551458333333333,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.varna-necropolis.varna-necropolis.s2-cemetery-by-the-lake","duration":21.675,"src":"/audio/en/varna-necropolis/s2-cemetery-by-the-lake.7ad1f38f.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.chapman2006"},{"id":"src.rimv.necropolis2024"},{"id":"src.varna.krauss2017"},{"id":"src.varna.higham2018"},{"id":"src.visitvarna.discovery"},{"id":"src.rimv.archmuseum"}]},{"id":"varna-necropolis.s3-grave-43","number":3,"kind":"artifact","title":"The man with the sceptre","body":"Grave 43 is the richest burial in the cemetery. It holds a man laid on his back, about 1.70 m tall. Anthropologists disagree about his age: one study gives 40–50 years, another over 60.\n\nIn his right hand he holds a stone axe. Its handle was set into gold tubes and rings. Heavy gold bracelets sit on both forearms, round gold appliqués from a head-dress lie around the head, and a gold penis sheath lies at the pelvis. Nearly one third of gold objects comes from grave 43.\n\nThe authors of the grave description suggest that a leader and priest of the community was buried here. This is an interpretation, not an established fact.","images":[{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave43-museum-480.a9d9817d.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave43-museum-960.a9d9817d.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave43-museum-1600.a9d9817d.avif","w":1600},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave43-museum-2400.a9d9817d.avif","w":2400}],"dominant":"#75634d","h":1600,"w":2400,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave43-museum-960.a9d9817d.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave43-museum-960.a9d9817d.webp","id":"asset.varna.grave43.museum","alt":"Museum arrangement of grave 43; not an excavation photograph. Skeleton in the grave 43 display: gold bracelets, gold appliqués around the skull, a stone axe-sceptre with gold tubes on the handle.","objectCaption":"Museum arrangement of grave 43; not an excavation photograph. Skeleton in the grave 43 display: gold bracelets, gold appliqués around the skull, a stone axe-sceptre with gold tubes on the handle.","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Gabriele Burchielli · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 2.0","attribution":"Photo: Gabriele Burchielli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Museum arrangement of grave 43; not an excavation photograph. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Gabriele Burchielli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Museum arrangement of grave 43; not an excavation photograph. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grave_43_(Varna_Archaeology_Museum)_(36755886415).jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0"}],"hotspots":[{"id":"h43-sceptre","x":0.21,"y":0.36,"title":"Sceptre","body":"A stone axe whose handle was set into gold tubes and rings. The man holds it in his right hand. In the museum photograph the gold tubes are arranged on a clear support.","sourceIds":["src.chapman2006","src.photo.varna-grave43"],"certainty":"source_reported"},{"id":"h43-bracelets","x":0.1,"y":0.8,"title":"Gold bracelets","body":"A heavy gold bracelet on each forearm, and gold ring-bracelets on the wrists.","sourceIds":["src.chapman2006"],"certainty":"source_reported"},{"id":"h43-spondylus","x":0.84,"y":0.77,"title":"A mended bracelet","body":"The description of grave 43 records a Spondylus bracelet broken in two and repaired with gold plates. The object in the photograph is probably this bracelet.","sourceIds":["src.chapman2006"],"certainty":"editorial_identification"},{"id":"h43-head","x":0.5,"y":0.04,"title":"Appliqués around the head","body":"Round gold appliqués described as part of a head-dress. Gold earrings were also found.","sourceIds":["src.chapman2006"],"certainty":"source_reported"}],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":null,"audio":{"durationSeconds":45.084875,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.varna-necropolis.varna-necropolis.s3-grave-43","duration":45.184,"src":"/audio/en/varna-necropolis/s3-grave-43.0c7ecc84.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.chapman2006"},{"id":"src.varna.krauss2017"},{"id":"src.photo.varna-grave43"}]},{"id":"varna-necropolis.s4-symbolic-graves","number":4,"kind":"artifact","title":"Graves without human remains","body":"Some graves contain gifts, but no human bones. We call these symbolic graves. One held a sceptre, copper tools and gold. Others contained clay heads decorated with gold. One interpretation sees the heads as parts of larger figures. They were once thought to be masks. Who were these gifts left for? We still do not know for certain.","images":[{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-480.baf345bf.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-960.baf345bf.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-1600.baf345bf.avif","w":1600},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-2400.baf345bf.avif","w":2400}],"dominant":"#3e3832","h":1600,"w":2400,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-960.baf345bf.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-960.baf345bf.webp","id":"asset.varna.grave4.offerings","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. Stone axe-sceptre with a gilded handle, gold bracelets, gold appliqués, copper tools, beads.","objectCaption":"Museum photograph of finds. Stone axe-sceptre with a gilded handle, gold bracelets, gold appliqués, copper tools, beads.","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Gabriele Burchielli · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 2.0","attribution":"Photo: Gabriele Burchielli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Museum photograph of finds. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Gabriele Burchielli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Museum photograph of finds. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grave_offerings_from_Grave_4_(Varna_Archaeology_Museum)_(36616793851).jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0"},{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-symbolic-grave-clay-face-480.df5e3c44.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-symbolic-grave-clay-face-960.df5e3c44.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-symbolic-grave-clay-face-1600.df5e3c44.avif","w":1600}],"dominant":"#5a5750","h":2104,"w":1920,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-symbolic-grave-clay-face-960.df5e3c44.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-varna-symbolic-grave-clay-face-960.df5e3c44.webp","id":"asset.varna.symbolic-grave.clay-face","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. Oval clay object with a human face; a gold diadem above the forehead, gold objects where the mouth and ears are.","objectCaption":"Museum photograph of finds. Oval clay object with a human face; a gold diadem above the forehead, gold objects where the mouth and ears are.","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Zde · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","attribution":"Photo: Zde, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Resized version. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Zde, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Resized version. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Face_and_funeral_golden_jewelry,_4600-4200_BC,_AM_Varna,_Varm21.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0"},{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-symbolic-grave2-replica-480.e54585b0.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-symbolic-grave2-replica-960.e54585b0.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-symbolic-grave2-replica-1600.e54585b0.avif","w":1600}],"dominant":"#927866","h":1280,"w":1920,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-symbolic-grave2-replica-960.e54585b0.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-varna-symbolic-grave2-replica-960.e54585b0.webp","id":"asset.varna.symbolic-grave2.replica","alt":"Replica of symbolic grave 2, National History Museum, Sofia. Replica: a crushed clay head with a gold diadem, round gold plates and rings.","objectCaption":"Replica of symbolic grave 2, National History Museum, Sofia. Replica: a crushed clay head with a gold diadem, round gold plates and rings.","caption":"","kind":"reconstruction","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Ann Wuyts · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 2.0","attribution":"Photo: Ann Wuyts, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Replica of symbolic grave 2, National History Museum, Sofia. Resized version. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Ann Wuyts, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Replica of symbolic grave 2, National History Museum, Sofia. Resized version. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sofia_-_Symbolical_Burial_from_the_Varna_Necropolis.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0"},{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-480.c0f9ca9d.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-960.c0f9ca9d.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-1600.c0f9ca9d.avif","w":1600}],"dominant":"#847a64","h":2400,"w":1760,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-960.c0f9ca9d.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-960.c0f9ca9d.webp","id":"asset.varna.bull-appliques","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. Two flat gold bull figures with dotted borders and a loop on the back.","objectCaption":"Gold bull appliqués","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"CryolophosaurusEllioti · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 4.0","attribution":"Photo: CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cropped image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cropped image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bull-shaped_appliqu%C3%A9s_-_Varna_Regional_Museum_of_History_I.1633-1634.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"}],"hotspots":[{"id":"h4-sceptre","x":0.38,"y":0.55,"title":"A sceptre without an owner","body":"A stone axe whose handle is sheathed in gold. A similar object occurs in grave 43, but no human remains were found in grave 4.","sourceIds":["src.varna.krauss2017"],"certainty":"source_reported"},{"id":"h4-armrings","x":0.86,"y":0.2,"title":"Gold bracelets","body":"Gold bracelets from symbolic grave 4.","sourceIds":["src.varna.krauss2017"],"certainty":"source_reported"},{"id":"h4-copper","x":0.17,"y":0.12,"title":"Copper tools","body":"Copper adzes, a pick and an axe from the symbolic grave.","sourceIds":["src.varna.krauss2017"],"certainty":"source_reported"},{"id":"h4-applique","x":0.88,"y":0.86,"title":"Gold appliqué","body":"A domed gold appliqué with small holes along the edge.","sourceIds":["src.varna.krauss2017","src.chapman2006"],"certainty":"interpretation"}],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":null,"audio":{"durationSeconds":20.854875,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.varna-necropolis.varna-necropolis.s4-symbolic-graves","duration":20.949,"src":"/audio/en/varna-necropolis/s4-symbolic-graves.6e3e7254.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.chapman2006"},{"id":"src.varna.krauss2017"},{"id":"src.rimv.necropolis2024"},{"id":"src.varna.higham2018"}]},{"id":"varna-necropolis.a1-symbolic-graves","number":5,"kind":"activity","title":"Activity: what is a symbolic grave","body":"","images":[],"hotspots":[],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":{"id":"q.varna.symbolic-graves","kind":"single_choice","prompt":"What is missing from symbolic graves?","sourceIds":["src.chapman2006","src.varna.krauss2017"],"items":[{"id":"opt-no-bones","label":"They contain no human bones."},{"id":"opt-children","label":"The graves were made for children.","whyWrong":"These graves contain no human bones at all, neither adults' nor children's."},{"id":"opt-no-gold","label":"They never contain gold.","whyWrong":"Another third or so of the gold finds by number comes collectively from symbolic graves and deposits 1, 4, 36, 41 and 63a."},{"id":"opt-bronze-age","label":"They were made thousands of years later, in the Bronze Age.","whyWrong":"The symbolic graves belong to the same Copper Age cemetery, around 4600–4350 BC."}],"explanation":"Symbolic graves are contexts in which no human remains were found. Their number differs between publications.","correctItemId":"opt-no-bones","sources":[{"id":"src.chapman2006"},{"id":"src.varna.krauss2017"}]},"audio":{"durationSeconds":2.95225,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.varna-necropolis.varna-necropolis.a1-symbolic-graves","duration":3.072,"src":"/audio/en/varna-necropolis/a1-symbolic-graves.83e210f8.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.chapman2006"},{"id":"src.varna.krauss2017"}]},{"id":"varna-necropolis.s5-where-wealth-came-from","number":6,"kind":"narrative","title":"A shell from the south, salt from the west","body":"The graves also hold shells from Mediterranean molluscs. They show connections with distant places. To the west, near Provadia, people boiled brine in clay vessels. This produced salt for exchange. Salt may have brought wealth to the region. But a direct link to Varna’s gold remains unproven.","images":[{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-provadia-salt-production-480.08589034.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-provadia-salt-production-960.08589034.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-provadia-salt-production-1600.08589034.avif","w":1600}],"dominant":"#8f9493","h":900,"w":1600,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-provadia-salt-production-960.08589034.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-provadia-salt-production-960.08589034.webp","id":"asset.provadia.salt-production","alt":"The archaeological site today. Excavated ground with pits and pottery remains under a cloudy sky.","objectCaption":"The archaeological site today. Excavated ground with pits and pottery remains under a cloudy sky.","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"cover","credit":"Wikipek · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC0","attribution":"Photo: Wikipek, Wikimedia Commons, CC0. The archaeological site today. Resized version. Cropped image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Wikipek, Wikimedia Commons, CC0. The archaeological site today. Resized version. Cropped image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solnitsata,_prehistoric_salt_production,_5500_-_4200_B.C._1.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en"},{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-provadia-panorama-480.38d5ccf0.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-provadia-panorama-960.38d5ccf0.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-provadia-panorama-1600.38d5ccf0.avif","w":1600}],"dominant":"#88929b","h":561,"w":1600,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-provadia-panorama-960.38d5ccf0.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-provadia-panorama-960.38d5ccf0.webp","id":"asset.provadia.panorama","alt":"The archaeological site today. High view over the valley with the Solnitsata excavations and modern buildings.","objectCaption":"The archaeological site today. High view over the valley with the Solnitsata excavations and modern buildings.","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"cover","credit":"Pl71 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","attribution":"Photo: Pl71, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. The archaeological site today. Resized version. Cropped image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Pl71, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. The archaeological site today. Resized version. Cropped image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%D1%8F_-_%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0"}],"hotspots":[],"places":[{"note":"Provadia-Solnitsata was a prehistoric salt-production centre, providing context for exchange and wealth in the age of the Varna necropolis.","precision":"approximate","id":"place.provadia-solnitsata","name":"Provadia-Solnitsata","latitude":43.12839,"longitude":27.47251,"accuracy":"approximate","sourceIds":["src.osm","src.wikidata","src.varna.nikolov2016"],"short":"Provadia-Solnitsata","radiusMeters":1000,"guideUrl":"https://travel-guide-bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/place/#provadiya-solnitsata-solnitsata","slug":"provadia-solnitsata","url":"/en/map/#provadia-solnitsata"},{"note":"Site of the ancient graves with gold objects, discovered in 1972.","precision":"approximate","id":"place.varna-necropolis","name":"Varna Copper Age cemetery","latitude":43.21445,"longitude":27.87157,"accuracy":"approximate","sourceIds":["src.osm","src.wikidata","src.visitvarna.discovery","src.varna.krauss2017","src.rimv.necropolis2024"],"short":"Varna","radiusMeters":600,"guideUrl":null,"slug":"varna-necropolis","url":"/en/map/#varna-necropolis"}],"map":null,"activity":null,"audio":{"durationSeconds":19.10175,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.varna-necropolis.varna-necropolis.s5-where-wealth-came-from","duration":19.2,"src":"/audio/en/varna-necropolis/s5-where-wealth-came-from.6090cbf4.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.chapman2006"},{"id":"src.windler2019"},{"id":"src.varna.krauss2017"},{"id":"src.varna.nikolov2016"}]},{"id":"varna-necropolis.a2-timeline","number":7,"kind":"activity","title":"Activity: put in order","body":"","images":[],"hotspots":[],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":{"id":"q.varna.timeline","kind":"sequence","prompt":"Put the earliest event first.","sourceIds":["src.visitvarna.discovery","src.varna.krauss2017","src.varna.higham2018"],"items":[{"id":"ev-burials","label":"Burials by Lake Varna"},{"id":"ev-cable","label":"Objects found in a trench"},{"id":"ev-dig-start","label":"Archaeological excavation begins"},{"id":"ev-museum","label":"Finds displayed in the museum"},{"id":"ev-last-season","label":"First excavation phase ends"}],"explanation":"First, people used the ancient cemetery. Much later, an excavator operator found objects. Excavation followed, then a museum display. The first excavation phase ended after the museum display opened.","correctOrderIds":["ev-burials","ev-cable","ev-dig-start","ev-museum","ev-last-season"],"sources":[{"id":"src.visitvarna.discovery"},{"id":"src.varna.krauss2017"},{"id":"src.varna.higham2018"}]},"audio":{"durationSeconds":2.7316666666666665,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.varna-necropolis.varna-necropolis.a2-timeline","duration":2.859,"src":"/audio/en/varna-necropolis/a2-timeline.7ffdd149.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.visitvarna.discovery"},{"id":"src.varna.krauss2017"},{"id":"src.varna.higham2018"}]},{"id":"varna-necropolis.s6-oldest-gold","number":8,"kind":"narrative","title":"The oldest gold?","body":"Varna holds one of the earliest large collections of gold. Together, the gold weighs more than six kilograms. Its makers shaped bracelets, beads and small ornaments. But this does not make every object the oldest. Older gold finds exist, even beside the same lake. Varna stands out for the quantity and skill of its goldwork.","images":[{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-gold-objects-480.89de99c4.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-gold-objects-960.89de99c4.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-gold-objects-1600.89de99c4.avif","w":1600}],"dominant":"#4c4942","h":1120,"w":1600,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-gold-objects-960.89de99c4.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-varna-gold-objects-960.89de99c4.webp","id":"asset.varna.gold-objects","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. Display case: an axe-sceptre with a gilded handle, a rectangular gold plate, bracelets, appliqués and beads.","objectCaption":"Museum photograph of finds. Display case: an axe-sceptre with a gilded handle, a rectangular gold plate, bracelets, appliqués and beads.","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Zde · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","attribution":"Photo: Zde, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Resized version. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Zde, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Resized version. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gold_treasure,_4600-4200_BC,_AM_Varna,_Varm24.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0"},{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bracelets-sceptre-480.f2ae221e.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bracelets-sceptre-960.f2ae221e.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bracelets-sceptre-1600.f2ae221e.avif","w":1600}],"dominant":"#968772","h":1310,"w":1600,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bracelets-sceptre-960.f2ae221e.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-varna-bracelets-sceptre-960.f2ae221e.webp","id":"asset.varna.bracelets-sceptre","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. Two gold bracelets, a gold hammer-shaped object and a ribbed gold fitting on a grey background.","objectCaption":"Museum photograph of finds. Two gold bracelets, a gold hammer-shaped object and a ribbed gold fitting on a grey background.","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"CryolophosaurusEllioti · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 4.0","attribution":"Photo: CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cropped image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cropped image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gold_Bracelets_and_Scepter_-_Varna_Regional_Museum_of_History_I.1631-1632,_1641-1649.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"},{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-ram-horn-appliques-480.ff04706b.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-ram-horn-appliques-960.ff04706b.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-ram-horn-appliques-1027.ff04706b.avif","w":1027}],"dominant":"#786755","h":1600,"w":1027,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-ram-horn-appliques-960.ff04706b.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-varna-ram-horn-appliques-960.ff04706b.webp","id":"asset.varna.ram-horn-appliques","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. About thirty small gold appliqués shaped like curled horns, laid out in rows.","objectCaption":"Museum photograph of finds. About thirty small gold appliqués shaped like curled horns, laid out in rows.","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"CryolophosaurusEllioti · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 4.0","attribution":"Photo: CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cropped image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cropped image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ram-horn-shaped_appliqu%C3%A9s_-_Varna_Regional_Museum_of_History_I.1657-1686.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"}],"hotspots":[],"places":[{"note":"The Archaeological Museum in Varna presents finds from the necropolis, allowing comparisons between the burials.","precision":"exact","id":"place.varna-archaeological-museum","name":"Varna Archaeological Museum","latitude":43.20756,"longitude":27.91522,"accuracy":"verified_point","sourceIds":["src.osm","src.rimv.archmuseum"],"short":"Varna","guideUrl":"https://travel-guide-bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/places/varna-archaeological-museum/","slug":"varna-archaeological-museum","url":"/en/map/#varna-archaeological-museum"}],"map":null,"activity":null,"audio":{"durationSeconds":22.213208333333334,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.varna-necropolis.varna-necropolis.s6-oldest-gold","duration":22.315,"src":"/audio/en/varna-necropolis/s6-oldest-gold.05fe0277.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.chapman2006"},{"id":"src.varna.higham2018"},{"id":"src.leusch2015"},{"id":"src.varna.krauss2017"},{"id":"src.visitvarna.discovery"},{"id":"src.rimv.necropolis2024"}]},{"id":"varna-necropolis.a3-matching","number":9,"kind":"activity","title":"Activity: match","body":"","images":[],"hotspots":[],"places":[],"map":null,"activity":{"id":"q.varna.matching","kind":"matching","prompt":"Match each find with its description.","sourceIds":["src.varna.krauss2017","src.windler2019","src.chapman2006","src.varna.nikolov2016"],"items":[{"id":"m-grave43","label":"Grave 43","pairedLabel":"Nearly one third of gold objects"},{"id":"m-spondylus","label":"Spondylus","pairedLabel":"Mediterranean mollusc"},{"id":"m-solnitsata","label":"Provadia-Solnitsata","pairedLabel":"Salt production from brine"},{"id":"m-clay-heads","label":"Clay heads","pairedLabel":"Possibly parts of figures"}],"explanation":"Grave 43 holds many gold objects. Spondylus is a Mediterranean mollusc. Salt was produced at Provadia-Solnitsata. The clay heads may be parts of figures. A link between salt and Varna’s wealth remains a hypothesis.","sources":[{"id":"src.varna.krauss2017"},{"id":"src.windler2019"},{"id":"src.chapman2006"},{"id":"src.varna.nikolov2016"}],"columns":["Item","Description"]},"audio":{"durationSeconds":2.8013333333333335,"source":"synthetic_tts","voice":"en_US-ljspeech-high","provider":"Piper","assetId":"audio.en.varna-necropolis.varna-necropolis.a3-matching","duration":2.901,"src":"/audio/en/varna-necropolis/a3-matching.83d90038.m4a"},"textRevised":false,"sources":[{"id":"src.varna.krauss2017"},{"id":"src.windler2019"},{"id":"src.chapman2006"},{"id":"src.varna.nikolov2016"}]}],"minutes":4,"sources":[{"year":2006,"url":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1461957107086121","institutionOrAuthor":"Chapman J., Higham T., Slavchev V., Gaydarska B., Honch N.","id":"src.chapman2006","title":"The social context of the emergence, development and abandonment of the Varna Cemetery, Bulgaria","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Chapman and colleagues (2006) report 294 graves for the early excavations. This is not today’s total. Accidental discovery in 1972; area of 7500 m² with 294 graves; over 3000 gold objects weighing more than 6 kg; 160 copper objects, >230 flint artefacts, ~90 stone objects, >650 clay products, >12,000 Dentalium shells, ~1,100 imported Spondylus ornaments; 43 graves with no human remains ('cenotaphs'), some with clay masks with gold placed on eyes, mouth, nose and ears; Ivanov's claim (1975) of the earliest goldwork in the world; the social structure is disputed; detailed inventory of grave 43 (40–50-year-old man, axe-sceptre in right hand, gold penis sheath, Spondylus bracelet repaired with gold); first 14 AMS dates ~4600–4400 BC."},"doi":"10.1177/1461957107086121","container":"European Journal of Archaeology","volume":"9","issue":"2–3","pages":"159–183","authors":["Chapman J.","Higham T.","Slavchev V.","Gaydarska B.","Honch N."],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":2015,"url":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959774314001140","institutionOrAuthor":"Leusch V., Armbruster B., Pernicka E., Slavčev V.","id":"src.leusch2015","title":"On the invention of gold metallurgy: the gold objects from the Varna I cemetery (Bulgaria) – technological consequence and inventive creativity","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Dates the Varna I cemetery to 4550–4450 cal BC; calls its goldsmiths 'the so far earliest known fine metalworkers'; discusses preceding gold finds and the apparently sudden appearance of gold working."},"doi":"10.1017/S0959774314001140","container":"Cambridge Archaeological Journal","volume":"25","issue":"1","pages":"353–376","authors":["Leusch V.","Armbruster B.","Pernicka E.","Slavčev V."],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":2017,"url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grave_43_(Varna_Archaeology_Museum)_(36755886415).jpg","institutionOrAuthor":"Gabriele Burchielli","id":"src.photo.varna-grave43","title":"Grave 43 (Varna Archaeology Museum)","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Visual observation of modern display support only. Does not establish original/cast status of bones or secure identification of the Spondylus bracelet."},"container":"Wikimedia Commons / Flickr","license":"CC BY 2.0","authors":["Gabriele Burchielli"],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":null,"url":"https://www.museumvarna.com/ekspozitsii/arheologicheski-muzey/","institutionOrAuthor":"Регионален исторически музей – Варна (Varna Regional Museum of History)","id":"src.rimv.archmuseum","title":"Археологически музей (museum web page)","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Address bul. Maria Luiza 41, Varna; building built 1892–1898 for the Girls' High School to a design by architect Petko Momchilov; the Archaeological Museum has used the first floor since 3 March 1983 and the whole building since 1993; exhibition area 2150 m²."},"authors":["Регионален исторически музей – Варна (Varna Regional Museum of History)"],"accessed":"2026-10-28","container":""},{"year":2024,"url":"https://www.museumvarna.com/en/fundraising-campaign-for-the-varna-necropolis/","institutionOrAuthor":"Varna Regional Museum of History","id":"src.rimv.necropolis2024","title":"Fundraising Campaign for the Varna Necropolis","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Varna’s museum reports 301 graves from the first phase (1972–1991), including 47 symbolic graves. Excavation resumed in 2021. Over 3,000 gold objects weighing over 6 kg; first phase 1972–1991, 13 seasons, 7,500 m², 301 graves including 47 symbolic graves; excavation resumed in 2021 and 26 more graves were studied by end of 2023. Figures are date- and phase-specific."},"authors":["Varna Regional Museum of History"],"accessed":"2026-10-28","container":""},{"year":2018,"url":"https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:ae9cab49-b9c0-4da1-a022-fcd84fb77d99","institutionOrAuthor":"Higham T., Slavchev V., Gaydarska B., Chapman J.","id":"src.varna.higham2018","title":"AMS dating of the Late Copper Age Varna cemetery, Bulgaria","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Higham and colleagues (2018) report 315 graves, including 49 without human remains. These are publication figures, not a current total. Describes Varna I as having 'the world's earliest large-scale assemblage of gold artifacts'; 71 dates from 53 graves; favoured model: start 4596–4516 cal BC, end 4427–4341 cal BC (95.4%), span ~120–260 years; Varna I falls toward the beginning of the Bulgarian Late Copper Age. Introduction reports 315 graves and 49 without human remains; these counts belong to the publication, not a current excavation total."},"doi":"10.1017/RDC.2018.9","container":"Radiocarbon","volume":"60","issue":"2","pages":"493–516","authors":["Higham T.","Slavchev V.","Gaydarska B.","Chapman J."],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":2017,"url":"https://doi.org/10.4312/dp.44.17","institutionOrAuthor":"Krauß R., Schmid C., Kirschenheuter D., Abele J., Slavchev V., Weninger B.","id":"src.varna.krauss2017","title":"Chronology and development of the Chalcolithic necropolis of Varna I","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Excavations by Ivan Ivanov 1972–1991; cemetery span 4590–4340 cal BC (~250 years); 270 known burials and 316 recorded contexts incl. symbolic graves and deposits; one third of gold finds by number from grave 43, another third from rich symbolic graves and deposits 1, 4, 36, 41, 63a; elderly man (>60) in grave 43; Krauß and colleagues interpret clay heads in symbolic graves 2, 3, 15 as flattened heads of roughly half life-size figures, citing a CT study published in 2016; that primary CT work has not been read; seriation suggests copper jewellery gradually gives way to gold; copper pins persist in late phases; seriation suggests a general spread from NW higher ground toward Lake Varna, with exceptions; symbolic grave 4 with stone axe sceptre with gilded shaft; Varna II graves older than Varna I and include 31 gold beads; critique of the Higham et al. reversed chronology."},"doi":"10.4312/dp.44.17","container":"Documenta Praehistorica","volume":"44","pages":"282–305","authors":["Krauß R.","Schmid C.","Kirschenheuter D.","Abele J.","Slavchev V.","Weninger B."],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":2016,"url":"https://doi.org/10.4000/mediterranee.8246","institutionOrAuthor":"Nikolov V.","id":"src.varna.nikolov2016","title":"The prehistoric salt-production and urban center of Provadia-Solnitsata, Northeastern Bulgaria","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Salt production at Provadia-Solnitsata from brine springs over the Mirovo salt deposit, 5500–4200 BC; brine boiled in ceramic vessels, 'industrial' quantities in the Middle and Late Chalcolithic (4700–4200 BC); the author's interpretation that salt production and trade explain the appearance of the Varna necropolis; stone fortifications; the author's claim of the 'first prehistoric urban center in Europe' (his definition, debated). Connection to wealth at Varna is Nikolov’s hypothesis; individual transactions are not demonstrated."},"doi":"10.4000/mediterranee.8246","container":"Méditerranée","volume":"126","pages":"71–78","authors":["Nikolov V."],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":null,"url":"https://visit.varna.bg/bg/za-otkritieto.html","institutionOrAuthor":"Община Варна, официален туристически портал visit.varna.bg","id":"src.visitvarna.discovery","title":"За откритието на Варненския халколитен некропол","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"In autumn 1972, while laying an underground electricity cable in Varna's Western Industrial Zone, excavator operator Raycho Marinov found metal objects and flint tools and handed them to the museum in Dalgopol; at the end of October Varna museum staff collected them; excavation began in November under scientific leader Ivan Ivanov; national monument status in 1976; 13 seasons until 1991 with breaks in 1978, 1983 and 1986–1990; 1976 symposium and first display near Aladzha Monastery; on display in the Varna Archaeological Museum building since 1983; dating 4600–4350 BC."},"authors":["Община Варна, официален туристически портал visit.varna.bg"],"accessed":"2026-10-28","fieldLanguages":{"institutionOrAuthor":"bg","title":"bg"},"container":""},{"year":2019,"url":"https://doi.org/10.5334/joad.59","institutionOrAuthor":"Windler A.","id":"src.windler2019","title":"The use of Spondylus gaederopus during the Neolithic of Europe","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Spondylus gaederopus is a Mediterranean mollusc (Aegean or Adriatic); most authors assume a Mediterranean origin of the raw material; one of the first long-distance exchange goods in Europe; between 5000 and 4000 BC the centre of its distribution shifted toward the Black Sea coast."},"doi":"10.5334/joad.59","container":"Journal of Open Archaeology Data","volume":"7","authors":["Windler A."],"accessed":"2026-10-28"},{"year":null,"url":"https://www.museumvarna.com/za-nas/stani-daritel-kampanii/stani-daritel-kampania-varnenski-nekropol/","institutionOrAuthor":"Регионален исторически музей – Варна (Varna Regional Museum of History)","id":"src.varna.rimv-necropolis-legacy","title":"Стани ДАРИТЕЛ – подкрепи кампания „Варненски некропол“ (museum web page)","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Donation campaign only. Historical counts previously associated with this URL are not supported by its current text. The earlier recorded “300” is not established as a typo."},"authors":["Регионален исторически музей – Варна (Varna Regional Museum of History)"],"accessed":"2026-10-28","container":""},{"year":2016,"url":"","institutionOrAuthor":"Slavchev V., Dimitrov K., Etzel M.","id":"src.slavchev2016","title":"Die Komplexe 2, 3 und 15 mit Gesichtsdarstellungen aus dem kupferzeitlichen Gräberfeld von Varna","accessedOn":"2026-10-28","supports":{"en":"Bibliographic identification of the CT study cited by Krauß and colleagues; publication year 2016 does not establish scan date. Historical interpretation is attributed to Krauß, not claimed as a direct reading of this chapter."},"container":"Der Schwarzmeerraum vom Neolithikum bis in die Früheisenzeit (6000–600 v. Chr.): Kulturelle Interferenzen in der zirkumpontischen Zone und Kontakte mit ihren Nachbargebieten, eds V. Nikolov and W. Schier. Prähistorische Archäologie in Südosteuropa","volume":"30","pages":"141–164","authors":["Slavchev V.","Dimitrov K.","Etzel M."],"accessed":"2026-10-28","doi":""}],"credits":[{"id":"asset.varna.bull-appliques-cutout","src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-cutout-960.ae2e5280.webp","alt":"The larger bull-shaped gold applique, isolated from the photograph.","w":1396,"h":1166,"caption":"","credit":"CryolophosaurusEllioti · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 4.0","attribution":"Photo: CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cut-out detail; background removed.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cut-out detail; background removed.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bull-shaped_appliqu%C3%A9s_-_Varna_Regional_Museum_of_History_I.1633-1634.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.varna.museum.entrance","src":"/media/asset-varna-museum-entrance-960.fec5fb5e.webp","alt":"Varna Archaeological Museum, 2024; not the discovery site. The facade of the former Girls' High School building with the main entrance and steps.","w":1600,"h":1200,"caption":"","credit":"Wikipek · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC0","attribution":"Photo: Wikipek, Wikimedia Commons, CC0. Varna Archaeological Museum, 2024; not the discovery site. Resized version. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Wikipek, Wikimedia Commons, CC0. Varna Archaeological Museum, 2024; not the discovery site. Resized version. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Varna_Archaeological_Museum,_main_entrance.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.varna.grave43.museum","src":"/media/asset-varna-grave43-museum-960.a9d9817d.webp","alt":"Museum arrangement of grave 43; not an excavation photograph. Skeleton in the grave 43 display: gold bracelets, gold appliqués around the skull, a stone axe-sceptre with gold tubes on the handle.","w":2400,"h":1600,"caption":"","credit":"Gabriele Burchielli · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 2.0","attribution":"Photo: Gabriele Burchielli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Museum arrangement of grave 43; not an excavation photograph. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Gabriele Burchielli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Museum arrangement of grave 43; not an excavation photograph. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grave_43_(Varna_Archaeology_Museum)_(36755886415).jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.varna.grave4.offerings","src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-960.baf345bf.webp","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. Stone axe-sceptre with a gilded handle, gold bracelets, gold appliqués, copper tools, beads.","w":2400,"h":1600,"caption":"","credit":"Gabriele Burchielli · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 2.0","attribution":"Photo: Gabriele Burchielli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Museum photograph of finds. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Gabriele Burchielli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Museum photograph of finds. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grave_offerings_from_Grave_4_(Varna_Archaeology_Museum)_(36616793851).jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.varna.symbolic-grave.clay-face","src":"/media/asset-varna-symbolic-grave-clay-face-960.df5e3c44.webp","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. Oval clay object with a human face; a gold diadem above the forehead, gold objects where the mouth and ears are.","w":1920,"h":2104,"caption":"","credit":"Zde · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","attribution":"Photo: Zde, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Resized version. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Zde, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Resized version. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Face_and_funeral_golden_jewelry,_4600-4200_BC,_AM_Varna,_Varm21.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.varna.symbolic-grave2.replica","src":"/media/asset-varna-symbolic-grave2-replica-960.e54585b0.webp","alt":"Replica of symbolic grave 2, National History Museum, Sofia. Replica: a crushed clay head with a gold diadem, round gold plates and rings.","w":1920,"h":1280,"caption":"","credit":"Ann Wuyts · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 2.0","attribution":"Photo: Ann Wuyts, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Replica of symbolic grave 2, National History Museum, Sofia. Resized version. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Ann Wuyts, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Replica of symbolic grave 2, National History Museum, Sofia. Resized version. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sofia_-_Symbolical_Burial_from_the_Varna_Necropolis.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.varna.bull-appliques","src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-960.c0f9ca9d.webp","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. Two flat gold bull figures with dotted borders and a loop on the back.","w":1760,"h":2400,"caption":"","credit":"CryolophosaurusEllioti · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 4.0","attribution":"Photo: CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cropped image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cropped image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bull-shaped_appliqu%C3%A9s_-_Varna_Regional_Museum_of_History_I.1633-1634.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.provadia.salt-production","src":"/media/asset-provadia-salt-production-960.08589034.webp","alt":"The archaeological site today. Excavated ground with pits and pottery remains under a cloudy sky.","w":1600,"h":900,"caption":"","credit":"Wikipek · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC0","attribution":"Photo: Wikipek, Wikimedia Commons, CC0. The archaeological site today. Resized version. Cropped image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Wikipek, Wikimedia Commons, CC0. The archaeological site today. Resized version. Cropped image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solnitsata,_prehistoric_salt_production,_5500_-_4200_B.C._1.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.provadia.panorama","src":"/media/asset-provadia-panorama-960.38d5ccf0.webp","alt":"The archaeological site today. High view over the valley with the Solnitsata excavations and modern buildings.","w":1600,"h":561,"caption":"","credit":"Pl71 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","attribution":"Photo: Pl71, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. The archaeological site today. Resized version. Cropped image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Pl71, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. The archaeological site today. Resized version. Cropped image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%D1%8F_-_%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.varna.gold-objects","src":"/media/asset-varna-gold-objects-960.89de99c4.webp","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. Display case: an axe-sceptre with a gilded handle, a rectangular gold plate, bracelets, appliqués and beads.","w":1600,"h":1120,"caption":"","credit":"Zde · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY-SA 4.0","attribution":"Photo: Zde, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Resized version. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Zde, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Resized version. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gold_treasure,_4600-4200_BC,_AM_Varna,_Varm24.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.varna.bracelets-sceptre","src":"/media/asset-varna-bracelets-sceptre-960.f2ae221e.webp","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. Two gold bracelets, a gold hammer-shaped object and a ribbed gold fitting on a grey background.","w":1600,"h":1310,"caption":"","credit":"CryolophosaurusEllioti · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 4.0","attribution":"Photo: CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cropped image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cropped image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gold_Bracelets_and_Scepter_-_Varna_Regional_Museum_of_History_I.1631-1632,_1641-1649.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"asset.varna.ram-horn-appliques","src":"/media/asset-varna-ram-horn-appliques-960.ff04706b.webp","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. About thirty small gold appliqués shaped like curled horns, laid out in rows.","w":1027,"h":1600,"caption":"","credit":"CryolophosaurusEllioti · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 4.0","attribution":"Photo: CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cropped image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cropped image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ram-horn-shaped_appliqu%C3%A9s_-_Varna_Regional_Museum_of_History_I.1657-1686.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}},{"id":"map-relief","src":"/assets/maps/relief@3x.jpg?v=075869a7dd","thumb":"/media/map/map-relief-2x-1024.4c826249.avif","alt":"Geographic context, without historical borders","w":3072,"h":1987,"caption":"","kindLabel":"Geographic context, without historical borders","visibleKind":"Geographic context, without historical borders","credit":"Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso · Public domain · Natural Earth","license":"Public domain","attribution":"Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso","attributionParts":null,"sourceUrl":"https://www.naturalearthdata.com/downloads/10m-raster-data/10m-gray-earth/","licenseUrl":"https://www.naturalearthdata.com/about/terms-of-use/","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"}}],"places":[{"note":"Provadia-Solnitsata was a prehistoric salt-production centre, providing context for exchange and wealth in the age of the Varna necropolis.","precision":"approximate","id":"place.provadia-solnitsata","name":"Provadia-Solnitsata","latitude":43.12839,"longitude":27.47251,"accuracy":"approximate","sourceIds":["src.osm","src.wikidata","src.varna.nikolov2016"],"short":"Provadia-Solnitsata","radiusMeters":1000,"guideUrl":"https://travel-guide-bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/place/#provadiya-solnitsata-solnitsata","slug":"provadia-solnitsata","url":"/en/map/#provadia-solnitsata"},{"note":"The Archaeological Museum in Varna presents finds from the necropolis, allowing comparisons between the burials.","precision":"exact","id":"place.varna-archaeological-museum","name":"Varna Archaeological Museum","latitude":43.20756,"longitude":27.91522,"accuracy":"verified_point","sourceIds":["src.osm","src.rimv.archmuseum"],"short":"Varna","guideUrl":"https://travel-guide-bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/places/varna-archaeological-museum/","slug":"varna-archaeological-museum","url":"/en/map/#varna-archaeological-museum"},{"note":"Site of the ancient graves with gold objects, discovered in 1972.","precision":"approximate","id":"place.varna-necropolis","name":"Varna Copper Age cemetery","latitude":43.21445,"longitude":27.87157,"accuracy":"approximate","sourceIds":["src.osm","src.wikidata","src.visitvarna.discovery","src.varna.krauss2017","src.rimv.necropolis2024"],"short":"Varna","radiusMeters":600,"guideUrl":null,"slug":"varna-necropolis","url":"/en/map/#varna-necropolis"}],"find":{"id":"dig.varna.grave4.offerings","storyId":"story.varna-necropolis","assetId":"asset.varna.grave4.offerings","epochId":"epoch.chalcolithic","dateFrom":-4600,"dateTo":-4340,"dateLabel":"4600–4340 BCE","title":"Offerings from grave 4","description":"Gifts from a symbolic grave without human remains.","checked":true,"sourceIds":["src.varna.krauss2017","src.varna.higham2018","src.rimv.necropolis2024"],"ageOptions":[{"id":"correct","dateFrom":-4600,"dateTo":-4340,"isCorrect":true},{"id":"option-0","dateFrom":-5100,"dateTo":-4840,"isCorrect":false},{"id":"option-1","dateFrom":-4100,"dateTo":-3840,"isCorrect":false}],"image":{"alpha":false,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-480.baf345bf.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-960.baf345bf.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-1600.baf345bf.avif","w":1600},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-2400.baf345bf.avif","w":2400}],"dominant":"#3e3832","h":1600,"w":2400,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-960.baf345bf.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-varna-grave4-offerings-960.baf345bf.webp","id":"asset.varna.grave4.offerings","alt":"Museum photograph of finds. Stone axe-sceptre with a gilded handle, gold bracelets, gold appliqués, copper tools, beads.","objectCaption":"Museum photograph of finds. Stone axe-sceptre with a gilded handle, gold bracelets, gold appliqués, copper tools, beads.","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Gabriele Burchielli · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 2.0","attribution":"Photo: Gabriele Burchielli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Museum photograph of finds. Processed image.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Gabriele Burchielli, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Museum photograph of finds. Processed image.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grave_offerings_from_Grave_4_(Varna_Archaeology_Museum)_(36616793851).jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0"}},"next":[{"storyId":"story.valchitran-treasure","title":"Gold from the vineyard","topic":"Valchitran Treasure","eyebrow":"Valchitran Treasure · Pleven region","url":"/en/stories/valchitran-treasure/","reason":"See how people lived and worked in another period.","image":{"alpha":true,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-valch-bowl-cutout-480.3fc7614e.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-valch-bowl-cutout-781.3fc7614e.avif","w":781}],"dominant":"#a17a4a","h":458,"w":781,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-valch-bowl-cutout-781.3fc7614e.webp","w":781}],"src":"/media/asset-valch-bowl-cutout-781.3fc7614e.webp","id":"asset.valch.bowl-cutout","alt":"Cut-out detail; background removed. The large bowl with two handles. Photograph of objects, not the discovery.","objectCaption":"Gold bowl","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Николай Генов / Nikolay Genov · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 3.0","attribution":"Photo: Николай Генов / Nikolay Genov, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. Photograph of objects, not the discovery. Cut-out detail; background removed.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Николай Генов / Nikolay Genov, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. Photograph of objects, not the discovery. Cut-out detail; background removed.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vulchitrun_bowl.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0"},"minutes":3,"sceneCount":9},{"storyId":"story.kazanlak-tomb","title":"Hands beneath the dome","topic":"Kazanlak Tomb","eyebrow":"Kazanlak Tomb · Kazanlak","url":"/en/stories/kazanlak-tomb/","reason":"","image":{"alpha":true,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-kazan-jug-cutout-480.02e7401c.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-kazan-jug-cutout-960.02e7401c.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-kazan-jug-cutout-1349.02e7401c.avif","w":1349}],"dominant":"#67503a","h":1843,"w":1349,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-kazan-jug-cutout-960.02e7401c.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-kazan-jug-cutout-960.02e7401c.webp","id":"asset.kazan.jug-cutout","alt":"A jug in a museum display, isolated from the photograph. Its association with the tomb is unconfirmed.","objectCaption":"Silver jug","caption":"Silver jug with gilded decoration, museum display","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"SashaCoachman · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY-SA 3.0","attribution":"Photo: SashaCoachman; Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 3.0. Cut-out detail; background removed.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"SashaCoachman; Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 3.0. Cut-out detail; background removed.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jug.JPG","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0"},"minutes":5,"sceneCount":9},{"storyId":"story.panagyurishte-treasure","title":"Gold from the clay pit","topic":"Panagyurishte Treasure","eyebrow":"Panagyurishte Treasure · Panagyurishte","url":"/en/stories/panagyurishte-treasure/","reason":"","image":{"alpha":true,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-panag-ram-cutout-480.cb11f93e.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-panag-ram-cutout-960.cb11f93e.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-panag-ram-cutout-1600.cb11f93e.avif","w":1600}],"dominant":"#926643","h":1740,"w":2077,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-panag-ram-cutout-960.cb11f93e.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-panag-ram-cutout-960.cb11f93e.webp","id":"asset.panag.ram-cutout","alt":"A ram-headed rhyton isolated from a museum photograph. Original versus display copy is unconfirmed.","objectCaption":"Ram-head rhyton","caption":"Ram-head rhyton. Dionysos, Eriope and two maenads are depicted on the neck. Museum display. It has not been confirmed whether the photographed object is the original or a museum replica.","kindLabel":"Photo","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"Apostoloff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY-SA 3.0","attribution":"Photo: Apostoloff, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Cut-out detail; background removed. Museum display; original or replica unconfirmed","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"Apostoloff, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Cut-out detail; background removed. Museum display; original or replica unconfirmed","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:National_History_Museum,_Sofia,_Bulgaria_20090405_333.JPG","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0"},"minutes":5,"sceneCount":9}],"people":[{"id":"person.ivan-ivanov","name":"Ivan Ivanov","url":"/en/people/ivan-ivanov/"},{"id":"person.raycho-marinov","name":"Raycho Marinov","url":"/en/people/raycho-marinov/"},{"id":"person.petko-momchilov","name":"Petko Momchilov","url":"/en/people/petko-momchilov/"}],"rulers":[],"status":"draft","fact":{"id":"fact.discover.varna-necropolis","storyId":"story.varna-necropolis","factId":"F01","text":"The Varna cemetery was found in 1972 while an underground electricity cable was being laid.","sourceIds":["src.visitvarna.discovery","src.chapman2006"]},"collectionFind":{"number":13,"total":59,"title":"Gold bull appliqués","dateLabel":"46th–44th c. BCE","image":{"alpha":true,"avif":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-cutout-480.ae2e5280.avif","w":480},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-cutout-960.ae2e5280.avif","w":960},{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-cutout-1396.ae2e5280.avif","w":1396}],"dominant":"#a6835c","h":1166,"w":1396,"webp":[{"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-cutout-960.ae2e5280.webp","w":960}],"src":"/media/asset-varna-bull-appliques-cutout-960.ae2e5280.webp","id":"asset.varna.bull-appliques-cutout","alt":"The larger bull-shaped gold applique, isolated from the photograph.","objectCaption":"Gold bull appliqués","caption":"","kind":"photo","creditLabels":{"title":"Images","source":"Open source","full":"Full attribution"},"fit":"contain","credit":"CryolophosaurusEllioti · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons","license":"CC BY 4.0","attribution":"Photo: CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cut-out detail; background removed.","attributionParts":[{"text":"Photo: ","lang":"en"},{"text":"CryolophosaurusEllioti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Museum photograph of finds. Cut-out detail; background removed.","lang":"en"}],"sourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bull-shaped_appliqu%C3%A9s_-_Varna_Regional_Museum_of_History_I.1633-1634.jpg","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0"}},"ui":{"web.learnPromo":"Read these stories in Bulgarian — learn the language","web.travelPromo":"Visit this place — Travel Guide Bulgaria","web.autoAdvance":"Auto-advance to the next scene","web.repeatActivities":"Repeat activities","web.shortcuts":"Keyboard shortcuts","web.sceneNavigation":"Previous / next scene","web.findCount":"Found {count} of {total}","web.resumeNarration":"Resume {time}","web.activityLabel":"Activity","web.skippedActivities":"Activities · {count} — start","web.placesCount":"places: {count}","web.moreAnswers":"More answers below","web.playerSceneOf":"Scene {scene} of {total}: {title}","web.closeStory":"Close story","web.imageFit":"Show the whole image","web.activityOf":"Activity · {scene} of {total}","web.activityMoved":"Moved to position {scene} of {total}","web.activityIncomplete":"Connect all pairs","web.seekTen":"Back / forward 10 seconds","web.activityFromScene":"From scene {scene}","web.nextStory":"Next story","web.transcriptRevised":"text revised","action.close":"Close","action.next":"Next","action.retry":"Retry","activity.check":"Check","answer.correct":"Correct","answer.incorrect":"Not quite","audio.backTen":"Back 10 seconds","audio.pause":"Pause","audio.play":"Play narration","audio.seek":"Narration position","audio.speed":"Narration speed","audio.synthetic":"Synthetic voice","audio.unavailable":"Audio is unavailable. The text is here.","bookmark.add":"Save story","bookmark.inSaved":"In Saved","bookmark.remove":"Remove saved story","bookmark.removed":"Bookmark removed","credit.title":"Images","discover.audioMinutes %lld":"%lld min","discover.mapLabel":"Geographic context, without historical borders","player.approximate":"Approximate location","player.back":"Back","player.completed":"A new find for your collection","player.counter %lld %lld":"%1$lld / %2$lld","player.details %lld":"Details (%lld)","player.explanation":"Why is that?","player.finish":"Finish","player.firstCorrect":"✓ Correct on the first attempt","player.firstOther":"The first attempt is recorded. Retrying is practice.","player.interpretation":"Interpretation","player.matchHint":"Tap a term on the left, then a meaning on the right. Tap a connected item to undo.","player.moveDown":"Move down","player.moveUp":"Move up","player.nextDetail":"Next detail","player.previousDetail":"Previous detail","player.related":"Related stories","player.scene %lld":"Part %lld","player.sequenceHint":"Arrange from oldest to newest.","player.showAll":"Show all","player.skip":"Skip","player.sources %lld":"Sources · %lld","player.summary %lld %lld":"Activities: %1$lld of %2$lld correct on the first attempt","player.unpair":"Disconnect pair","player.vitrine":"Go to finds","sources.title":"Sources","story.listen":"Listen","story.sceneCount %lld":{"one":"%lld scene","other":"%lld scenes"},"story.start":"Start","answer.chosen":"Your answer","answer.skipped":"Activity skipped","answer.revealed":"Answer revealed","answer.correctOrder":"Correct order","answer.correctPairs":"Correct pairs","answer.yours.correct":"Your answer · correct","answer.yours.incorrect":"Your answer · incorrect","audio.stop":"Stop listening","Search.search.group.places":"Places","Atlas.zoomIn":"Zoom in","Atlas.zoomOut":"Zoom out"},"promos":{"learn":{"icon":"/media/promo/learn-160.webp","name":"Learn Bulgarian","url":"https://bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/learn-bulgarian/"},"travel":{"icon":"/media/promo/travel-160.webp","name":"Travel Guide Bulgaria","url":"https://bulgaria.zydeno.com/en/travel-guide-bulgaria/"}}}