Archaeological discoveries in Aquae Calidae reveal rich ancient history

Archaeological studies on the territory of the ancient city of Aquae Calidae continue to reveal the rich history of this significant historical site. According to the latest information provided by the Regional Historical Museum in Burgas, the excavations have reached an impressive depth of 1.70 meters, uncovering materials from three important historical periods - Revival, Ottoman, and Medieval.

The leaders of this year's research, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimcho Momchilov and Assist. Prof. Miroslav Klasnakov, chief curator of the "Archaeology" department at the Burgas Museum, shared details about the current activities.

At this stage, we are about to dismantle two medieval dwellings that were studied in 2023 and 2024. Now we are removing their destructions to reach the level of the ancient layer and continue in depth

The current archaeological season has already yielded a number of valuable finds, including coins, seals, rings, medieval weights for measuring coins, silver and gold, as well as various ceramics. These artifacts provide invaluable information about daily life and economic activities in the ancient city during different historical epochs.

Historical Significance of Aquae Calidae

Aquae Calidae, located on the territory of modern Burgas, was known in antiquity for its healing mineral springs. The history of the city dates back to the 1st century when the first Roman bath was built during the time of Roman Emperor Nero. Over the centuries, the warm mineral springs have attracted many great rulers, including:

• Byzantine Emperors Justinian II and Constantine IV Pogonatus
• Bulgarian Khan Tervel
• Ottoman Sultan Suleiman II the Magnificent

Particularly noteworthy is the contribution of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who in the 16th century built an extremely modern hammam (Turkish bath) for its time. Today, this hammam has been restored and turned into a museum, representing an important part of the region's cultural heritage.

Significant Discoveries and Future Plans

Recent years of archaeological research in Aquae Calidae have led to a number of significant discoveries, including the unveiling of the fortress wall and the northern entrance to the ancient city. The collection of findings dating from antiquity and the Middle Ages is impressive and includes seals from the 10th-12th centuries, gold jewelry, and thousands of gold, silver, and bronze coins.

The team of archaeologists hopes to reveal the architecture of the large rectangular pool in Aquae Calidae by the end of the research, which is located in close proximity to a smaller circular pool. It is interesting to note that these pools were described as early as the 19th century by the prominent Czech historian and Bulgarian Minister of Public Education Constantin Jireček, which underlines the long-standing scientific interest in this site.

The ongoing excavations in Aquae Calidae not only enrich our knowledge of the region's history but also contribute to the development of cultural tourism in Burgas. With each new discovery, this ancient city reveals more of its secrets, providing valuable information about the life and culture of various civilizations that inhabited these lands over the centuries.