An unexpected discovery emerged during preparatory work for the installation of a natural gas pipeline near the village of Borimechkovo in the Pazardzhik region of Bulgaria. Workers uncovered the remains of a Late Roman period settlement covering an area of 4,400 square meters, according to Enikos.
Archaeologists swiftly stepped in and found a site teeming with fragments of pottery, coins, and other artifacts dating back over 1,500 years, including architectural structures that shed light on life in this region during the Late Roman period.
The excavation uncovered two buildings with walls constructed from mud bricks mixed with medium-sized stones, some showing evidence of mud mortar. One of these structures was approximately nine meters long and included at least three rooms, while the other consisted of two sections, according to Popular Mechanics.
Artifacts including pottery fragments and coins helped experts determine the timeline of the settlement's demise. Among these were a collection of silver coins dating to the 3rd century CE that provides a chronological framework for the settlement.
The coins discovered on-site include specimens minted under Empress Julia Soaemias, Maximinus Thrax, Gordian III, Philip II, and Decius, with the most recent dating to 249 CE. However, some of the latest coins were minted during the reign of Emperor Constantius II (347–355 CE), suggesting settlement continuity both before and after the mid-fourth-century fire. This indicates the site's long-term occupation and importance within the regional context of late Roman Thrace.
The presence of large storage jars, such as pithoi, embedded in the ground, along with fragments of tile roofs and storage pits, indicates the settlement served an agrarian function.
Evidence of fire destruction found in several structures aligns with historical records mentioning the Gothic incursion into the region during the reign of Emperor Decius, suggesting the settlement may have been sacked and destroyed around this time. While still only speculation, the Thrace province routinely succumbed to barbarian raids as part of the Gothic Wars that were ongoing during the time period.
“Analysis revealed a single-layer settlement dating from the late Roman period, ending abruptly with a fire dated no earlier than 347 CE based on coin evidence,” wrote the authors of the study published in the Bulgarian Journal of Archaeology. The findings, described as “limited but varied,” include arrowheads, brooches, jewelry, sewing needles, knives, rings, chains, and a multitude of ceramic objects for household use, such as jugs, cups, and storage vessels.
A study of the ceramics, many featuring red slip characteristic of Roman production, confirms the influence of Roman culture in the region. At the same time, handmade ceramics indicate continuity with traditional Thracian pottery styles, suggesting the inhabitants belong to the Thracian ethnic group.
Researchers said the recovered materials will help them better understand the economy, trade, and daily life of the settlement's inhabitants, reports Archaeology Magazine. The excavation's discoveries shed light on the organization of rural settlements in Thrace during the Late Roman period.
The research was led by archaeologist Sirma Alexandrova.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.