site.btaUPDATED Pistiros Inscription to Be Exhibited in J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles

The inscription from Pistiros, also known as the Vetren inscription, from the collection of the Archaeological Museum Prof. Mieczyslaw Domaradzki in the town of Septemvri is among the exhibits of fourteen Bulgarian museums, which will be on display at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, USA, between November 3, 2024, and March 3, 2025.

Excavations near the town of Vetren, Southern Bulgaria, began in 1988 on the left bank of the Maritsa River. They led to the discovery of a large commercial centre, the emporium Pistiros, which used to play a huge role in the economic and cultural life of ancient Thrace. The name of the emporium became known thanks to an inscription in Ancient Greek, the Pistiros Inscription, which was discovered in 1990.

Archaeological finds point to Pistiros having been founded during the time of the first kings of the Odrysian kingdom of Thrace - Teres or Sitalkes. By the time of Amadocus I the emporium was already thriving, having established trade contacts. Under Kotys I (4th century BC) and his successors, the merchants from Thasos, Apollonia and Maroneia guarantees for the inviolability of their lives, property and activities, as reflected in the Vetren inscription. This coincides with Pistiros's period of greatest prosperity.

Violeta Duneva, director of the Archaeological Museum Prof. Mieczyslaw Domaradzki, spoke with BTA about the Vetren inscription.

Fourteen museums from Bulgaria with a total of over 150 objects will participate in a forthcoming exhibition of Thracian treasures at the J. Paul Getty Museum. Bulgarian artefacts represent more than 90% of all exhibits included in the exhibition.

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