A picturesque peninsula near the small Black Sea town of Chernomoretz reveals its history for Bulgarian archaeologists. It is called Chrisosotira, also known as Chervenka. A large fortifying wall was built at the spot during the rule of Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great /527 – 565/. “We are talking about a small Byzantine town, named Chrisosotira, or Golden Savior, Golden Christ,” says in an interview for Radio Bulgaria Associate Prof. Ivan Hristov, deputy director of the National Museum of History and head of the archaeological team.

“We started our studies in June, then we had some interruption. Now, in September and with the funding of the cultural ministry we managed to reveal the entire northeastern wall of the Chrisosotira Peninsula, to survey two big towers, pretty well preserved, also 5 major Byzantine buildings… We also discovered a huge two-legged staircase that used to lead to the battle spots along the wall itself. Of course, there have been lots of artifacts, too. What really impressed us was the fact that this fortress is much bigger than the Acra fortress, situated on the cape of the same name, which is already explored.”

At the same time archaeologists have reached layers, much older in time – from the 6 – 5^th c. BC. According to Ivan Hristov, when Greek settlers established the oldest town along the Bulgarian Black Sea segment – Apollonia Pontica, they soon spread their influence on the neighboring peninsulas and comfortable gulfs. “At this stage we can say that in the beginning of the 7^th century the fortress was taken during one of the raids of Slavic tribes or the Avars, perhaps in the époque of Emperor Heraclius /610 – 641/ and was no longer inhabited. At least that is what the coins discovered show. The site has its potential and I hope that over the next archaeological season we will find the answers to the many questions that occurred.”

In this way archaeologists will contribute to the enrichment of the Chernomoretz Museum, unveiled on September 23. It exhibits views of significant sites from the Burgas gulf. Objects, unearthed this year will be added to the collection. The findings from the Acra fortress and the now underwater antique market place from the Vromos gulf have also been handed to the museum. Some of those can still be seen there. “We hope that the guests of Chernomorets will be able to see in the future everything we’ve handed: ceramics, coins, jewelry etc.”, Associate Prof. Hristov says.

For the moment Chrisosotira is still not open for tourists, as it is within the borders of a military control zone. However, the expert claims that sooner or later the army will have to give over the former military base grounds, as no military infrastructure exists there any more. On the other hand even if the excavations mark a significant progress, funding will be needed on a later stage for the conservation and restoration of the site,. “However, what happens next,” asks rhetorically the archaeologist. “Take Acra for example – after two years of studies and thousands spent on the protection of the wall for restoration, now we have no road, leading to the site, it’s all going weedy and I have the sad feeling that we worked in vain…”

“We take off with the knowledge we have extracted from the Earth’s layers, we have followed the law during the conservation activities… At the same time we are leaving some monuments in the hands of local municipalities that have to take care of them. There are examples across the country, where the latter have managed to use the results from our work in a really beneficial manner,” the expert concludes.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev