FULL-Roman Thermae and Thracian Cult Complex- Bulgaria

Dates: 28th June to 9th August 2010

Number of UK Participants: 5

Duration: 6 weeks

This placement is a new unique opportunity for UK undergraduate archaeology students to work on two archaeological excavations including a Roman Thermae at the town of Hissarya and a Thracian cult complex located near the village of Krastevich, central Bulgaria. The placement is hosted by the curator at the local historical museum at Hissarya, who has worked for several years with international volunteers. This placement will run for the first time in 2010 through Grampus Heritage and offers UK participants the chance to work on two very different, but significant archaeological sites.

Roman wall surrounding Hissarya	Hissarya's Roman wall

The town of Hissarya is situated 167km east of Sofia in a valley at the foot of the Central Sredna Gora Mountain. It accommodates a modern spa resort, which was also used and dates to the Roman period. Under Roman occupation, the town known as Augusta & Sevastopolis, was an affluent resort with evidence of palaces, wide stone streets and marble baths. It is thought that people afflicted with illness came from all over the Balkan peninsula, Asia Minor and Aegean Islands to visit the mineral springs at Hissarya.

Placement Structure for 2010

The placement comprises of two excavations and participants will be required to work at both sites for the duration of 6 weeks.

• Week 1 & 2: Roman Thermae/Diocletianopolis-located at the central park of Hissarya. Participants will work on the excavation of Roman public baths, caldarium, walls, water pipes and canals. This archaeological site dates back to the second half of the III century AD. Duration: 2 weeks

• Week 3-6: Thracian Cult Complex- located at the village of Krastevich, approximately 30km from Hissarya. The site dates dates to the IV century BC. Duration: 4 weeks

Excavated Thracian cult complex	Excavated Thracian tomb and cult complex

The group will be accommodated in rented apartments on a self-catering basis at Hissarya. Participants will work from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour for lunch. Weekends are free, but participants will also get the chance to go on excursions around central Bulgaria, for example; Kazanlak and the Valley of the Thracian Kings including visits to the Thracian tombs and the museum with a golden mask.

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NOTE: Participants on all of our placements will now require a European Health Insurance CARD (EHIC). CLICK HERE to visit the external website and apply for your EHIC online.