site.btaUnderwater Expedition Finds Late-Antiquity Amphorae in Sozopol Bay

The harbour of the early Byzantine Chrysosotira Fortress in Sozopol Bay was explored during an underwater archaeological expedition of the National Museum of History, the Burgas Regional History Museum said in a press release on Wednesday.

An area containing numerous amphorae and separate fragments of other ceramic vessels dating from Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages was mapped during the expedition. A Late-Antiquity iron anchor was also discovered, showing the place where Byzantine ships docked in the bay, as well as late medieval pottery (17th-18th century) and a late medieval iron fighting knife.

The exploration was financed by the Culture Ministry and was led by Prof. Ivan Hristov. The underwater expedition was carried out by five divers in four designated areas in the southern and southwestern waters of the Chrysosotira Peninsula. The harbour area has been explored for ten years now on funds from the Culture Ministry and the National Museum of History. The fortress on the peninsula is one of the largest in the Burgas Bay area.

The most valuable finds from the expedition will be displayed in a temporary exhibition at the National Museum of History in December.