site.btaExhibition of New Finds during 2024 Archaeological Season Unveiled at National History Museum

An exhibition presenting the finds made during the 2024 archaeological season in Bulgaria, was unveiled at the National History Museum here on Thursday. Attending the event were Vice President Iliana Iotova, Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh, and Museum Director Bonni Petrunova. An address was read on behalf of Culture Minister Marian Bachev.

In her speech, Vice President Iotova said that the results of Bulgarian archaeologists' finds mean "a very big dose of self-esteem that we are Bulgarians, that we have a rich history of which to be proud, and that we are part of a great people." This exhibition does not just tell what has happened over the millennia on this land, but creates self-confidence not only of the Bulgarians, but of Europeans in general, Iotova said. The Vice President thanked the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture "because this wealth should be accessible to the Bulgarian citizens, but also to the whole world." Yotova expressed hope that the new government has found a place for people who are literate, who have a thought about what they should do and are enlightened. "I hope that in a few months, when it comes to the budget, it will not happen again that education, culture and tourism are at the bottom of this list. Let archaeology not just be about filling holes, but be the wealth that we are all waiting for and want," Iotova noted. 

Tourism Minister Borshosh told the archaeologists that they are not alone in what they do, "because behind these panels and exhibits is outstanding professionalism and dedication, but above all is a love of history and the profession, despite the difficulties the guild goes through." He said that they can rely on him to push for a budget for the entire community because of the meaning, the idea, and the importance of what they do. Every archaeological find changes Bulgaria, Borshosh said. He reiterated that he will do everything he can to make sure the archaeologists get the funding they deserve.

In his address read during the exhibition's opening, Culture Minister Bachev said that an event of this scale raises Bulgaria's image to an even higher level. This exhibition contributes to increasing cultural tourism, adding new economic benefits, Bachev added. 

National Museum Director Petrunova said that despite the delay, incomplete funding and neglect of archaeology, specialists have managed to discover a great deal. She explained that in 2024, a new museum will be opened. The National History Museum has conducted archaeological surveys and field research at 22 sites. As a result, more than 1,400 movable artefacts have been discovered, covering almost all archaeological periods of Bulgarian lands - from prehistory to the Middle Ages.

The organizers note that the research has been financially and logistically supported by the National History Museum, the Ministry of Culture, local municipalities, and private donors. Scientific partners such as the Centre for Underwater Archaeology, the Regional History Museum in Sofia, the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and many other city museums are also actively involved. The research covers a wide geographical area - from the banks of the Struma and Mesta rivers, through the Rhodope Mountains and Sakar, to the Black Sea coast and Dobrudzha. Both regularly explored sites and those requiring rescue excavations have been studied. The sites include settlements and burial mounds, ancient and medieval fortresses, the organizers said.