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FULL-Cherven Medieval Fortress- Bulgaria

Placement dates: 5th July to 16th August 2010

Duration: 6 weeks

Number of places: 8

Cherven Fortress

The placement in Bulgaria will focus on the ongoing excavations at the impressive medieval Cherven Fortress. The host of the placement is the Regional Museum of Rousse. Cherven was one of the biggest towns of Bulgaria in the period of 12th-14th century. Its inhabitants were Thracians (4th - 2nd century B.C) and Byzantines (4th - 6th century A.D). It had been a bishop's residence and a craft centre. The medieval town is situated on a high hill in the canyon of the river Cherni Lom, 35 km south from Rousse. There are different historical and archeological sites in its surroundings - prehistoric, ancient and medieval fortresses, settlements, necropolises. The most impressive are the numerous Christian rock hewn monasteries. Medieval frescos are preserved in some of them. The most well-known among them is a rocky church near Ivanovo village. Its frescos are included in the list of the world cultural heritage, protected by UNESCO. Archeological excavations have been going since 1910. The central part of the town has been completely explored where have been found out a big castle, fourteen churches, residential quarters, craft workshops, street network, underground passages for water-supply, etc. Cherven is one of the important Bulgarian archeological centers.

Excavation Team from 2008

Our previous four archaeology placements at Cherven have been a great success. Finds have included a great deal of pottery and the remains of small scale craft workshops and kiln bases outside of the fortifications. In 2004 the participants discovered and excavated medieval graves close to one of the church sites in the Cherven complex, leading to the first re-burial ceremony of archaeologically excavated human remains in Bulgaria. The 2005 placement continued with the excavations surrounding 'church number 11' in the Cherven complex and uncovered the foundations of buildings and human remains.

Excavating the boundary wall	Cleaning the site ready for presentation to the public

The Medieval town of Cherven’ researches during years of 2007 and 2008 were directed to the central part of the citadel. The findings and archaeological structures show that during the XV century, this territory is densely build-up area. A living neighborhood and artisan workshops existed here. Blacksmith’s workshop with furnace (kiln) was discovered. This territory was inhabited during Thracian period (IV century B.C.) and the early Ottoman period (IV-IVI century). Results from the previous placements demand the main target for 2010 to enlarge the Southern area. The Leonardo da Vinci funding available for these placements will cover travel (return travel from main UK airport), insurance, subsistence allowance (equal to three meals a day) and accommodation.

Excavated area at the North Boundary Wall	The stunning Roussenski Lom Valley

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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.

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