History
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Bulgaria is one of the oldest European civilizations. Its territory had been a witness of origination and development of a coupe of civilizations in the last 2000 years, and the first testimonies of the human presence date back to Paleolithic period. Bulgaria is the place where figures like Orpheus and Dionysus lived and created. It is here where the first gold treasure was found.
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THE PALEOLITHIC PERIOD, THE NEOLITHIC PERIOD | |
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The first archeological artifacts were found in the area of Belogradchik [tools in one of the caves]. People lived in caves and grottos – the times of the last glaciations. About 7th century B.C. when the glacier moved back, the Neolithic Period begun.
Many settlements were founded – the initiation of stratification of settlement and formation of hills called talla [they make it easy to identify the chronology of prehistory]. The largest number of such formations and settlements are located in the Upper Thracian Lowland – they are usually open for tourists. It a travel in time – the households and equipment are in great condition. The Neolithic Period is the time of the first metal melts and first artificial products such as lime. At the end of the 5th century people started to treat gold. Do you know, our dear Client, that the oldest treasure in the history of mankind was found in Bulgaria? It was a collection of objects used for ritual ceremonies. The findings prove Bulgaria to be a civilization older than the civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece. |
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THE BRONZE AGE | |
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Thracian tribes formed. An influx of nomadic tribes from Central Asia took place in the 4th century – the Thracian Kingdom was created in the 5th century B.C. The archeological finds show that the Thracians traded with Crete and Mycenae. Spiritual culture was of great importance – mountain sanctuaries in the Eastern Rhodopes [Kyrjala, Krumovgrad, Ivoaylograd]. Orpheus lived and reigned here, in the Bulgarian Rhodopes. The orphic traditions and mysteries are still present in the mountains.
The first tombs and megaliths are built in this age. A cromlech – the only one in the Balkans – was found in the area of Magarovo, in Eastern Rhodopes. |
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TRADING PORTS | |
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The first ports are established in Messembria [Nessebar], Apollonia [Sozopol], Anchialo [Pomorie], Odessos [Varna] on the Black Sea coast called Pontus Euxinus.
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THE ROMAN RULE | |
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Thracia becomes a Roman province in 46 B.C. The Romans conquer the Balans. Ulepia Sernica [Sofia] becomes the capital of Thracia [Bulgaria].
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INVASIONS ON BULGARIA | |
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The Roman Empire is falling. Northern tribes - Vandals, Huns, and Goths - become a threat to Bulgaria.
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