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Starosel


The tomb above the village of Starosel near Plovdiv is a sensation for professionals and lovers of the ancient Thracians, and now hundreds of tourists. The tomb is situated on a hill in a picturesque area at the foot of the Sredna Gora mountain. Discovered in 2000, it was the largest ever from the famous Thracian burial mounds. It was probably built in V-IV century BC.

The necropolis consists of eight mounds of various sizes. The tomb is located in a hill with a height of 20 meters and a diameter of 85 meters, surrounded by krepis 241 meters in circumference, which plays the role of wall. The entrance of the tomb is 1.60 m wide, decorated with ornaments known as "wolf teeth". It is built of well-crafted stone, fastened together with iron clamps, covered in lead. Consists of: south parade staircase, two side staircases, corridors, representative facade, a rectangular chamber and a circular chamber.

The Thracians were one of the ancient inhabitants of the Bulgarian lands. They bequeathed intriguing evidences for a highly developed culture. Their tribal groups, over 90 in number, lived in part of Southeastern Europe from the Neolithic Era to the Middle Ages. They were good farmers, artisans and merchants.

According to the "Iliad" they have participated in the Trojan War and Homer describes them as a warlike tribe and extremely good riders. The battle gear of the mythical Thracian king Rez was "worthy of the gods."

The Thracians are the third ethnic group, which formed the Bulgarian nation. Their religious beliefs combine sun and earthly cults. They worshiped the Great Mother Goddess Bendis and had a strong cult of the dead. A deceased ruler after his death moved in the deities, and his tomb became a shrine. Thracian burial rituals are complex and not yet completely understood.

Archaeological finds in the area of Starosel clearly show that in the V century BC, the place was a Thracian settlement with powerful tribal chieftains and rich aristocracy. Thracian cult complex 'Chetinyova mound", discovered by the archaeologist Georgi Kitov in 2000, is a tomb "heroon". There are suggestions that Sitalk was buried here - one of the most powerful rulers of the Odrysian kingdom.

"Chetinyova mound " is not the only tomb-temple in this region. It is the central place of great religious center of system of shrines and tombs, in five of which are found rich royal burials. The mounds resemble each other. The only exception is the tomb, known as "Horizon". It is the only tomb with columns - two side and six facial.

Close to Starosel there are mounds that are studied and preserved, but are not open for visits. Kozi Gramadi is Thracian architectural complex of V-IV century BC, covering the area from ca. 8 acres. The site is located in Sredna Gora, 20 km north of the mounds in Starosel. The complex includes several monumental buildings, encircled by a wall. The central building is an impressive residence of the ruler. There are many coins of the Kings Teres II, Cotis I and Amatok and double axe (labrys), symbol of kingship among the Thracians.

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