Tomb Seuthes III

The temple in the Golyamata Kosmatka mound was discovered by a TEMP expedition conducted by senior research worker doctor G. Kitov (National Archeological Institute with a Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) in cooperation with Historical Museum ‘Iskra’ – town of Kazalnak, in the autumn of 2004 during regular archeological excavation works.

The mound was heaped as a sacred hill in the first half of 5-th century BC. Most probably during the second half of the century into the pile was made a wide trench from South, where a monumental temple was built comprising of an impressive façade and three premises. They were built from processed granite blocks whereas the first (rectangular premise with a gable cover) and second (round premise with a domed cover) are from separate blocks connected by lead-poured iron cramps. The last chamber is sarcophagus-like, made by digging out of one granite block with a weight of approximately 60 tons over which was situated a second block, gable shaped. In the premise were shaped a ritual bed and a table.

The temple was used more than a century for performing of religious ceremonies – so called ‘orphical mysteries’ – by the Thracian priests. To preserve the sacrament of the ritual from the uninitiated was used a two-leaved marble door with latches locked from the inside. On each of the door-leaves was engraved an image – on the Eastern was presented Helios (the God of the sun) and on the Western – Medusa Gorgon.

In the beginning of 3-rd century BC in the central chamber was performed a ritual for burying of a Thracian aristocrat who is supposed to be the ruler of the Odrises’ state - Seuthes III. This way, the building changed its function transforming itself into his tomb. In order crossing of king’s soul between the worlds to be ensured, the Thracians provided it with a guide by making sacrifice of a horse and laying down horse’s body into the first premise.

Adjacent to the façade was built a 13-meters long corridor with stone walls and wooden roof construction, as well as a second façade. After closing and quitting the facility, entrances to each of the chambers were blocked up and the corridor was set on fire and filled in by the slipped down mound pile. 7 km east from the entrance of the external façade, on the level of the surrounding terrain, was carefully placed a head from a bronze statue – probably a portrait figure of the buried Thracian king.

The tomb is situated 1 km South from the town of Shipka.

Site working hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.  

Lecture also in English.

Contacts:

Historical Museum ‘Iskra’ – town of Kazanlak, phone: 0431 62755

6100 Kazanlak, 8 P. R. Slaveykov Str.

e-mail: museum.iskra.kz@abv.bg