Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Sunken Ottoman ship and lead ingot from Roman Britain found by archaeologists near the mouth of Kamchia River

Photo: National Museum of History

Bulgarian underwater archaeologists led by the Deputy Director of the National History Museum Professor Ivan Hristov found a lead ingot, which reached the waters of the Black Sea from the Roman mines in the Cornwall area. The ingot was found during underwater searches in September and November 2023 north of the mouth of the Kamchia River. The object is dated to the 2nd-4th century. Cornwall and Devon dominated the European tin market from the late Roman times, beginning around the 3rd century AD, as many Spanish tin mines were exhausted. 

This is the first find in Bulgarian territorial waters of such a nature and dating. It weighs 5,35 kg and contains 98% pure tin. Ingot from the Black Sea was prepared for delivery to some workshops on land for making bronze objects or coins. Another important find is the location of the remains of a sunken ship from the Ottoman period. A perfectly preserved wooden keel lies on the seabed. The divers also recovered two cannons and fragments of pottery. The ship probably sank in bad weather. It is believed to have crashed on shallow jutting reefs that are hard to see in a storm.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Zhelyazko Radukov

Bulgaria cannot be used as an excuse for the lack of reforms, says Ambassador Radukov in Skopje

In Skopje, I am hearing more and more often concerns that relations with Bulgaria are being used as a convenient excuse for the lack of will or ability to undertake the necessary reforms. I do not want to believe this argument, said Bulgaria’s..

published on 11/19/25 11:52 AM

Report: TikTok's role in the country is growing, including in manipulating public opinion

The role of the social network TikTok in Bulgaria is growing, including its involvement in disseminating manipulative content. This is stated in a report presented at the European Parliament in Brussels, reported BTA. It was prepared by the..

published on 11/19/25 10:41 AM

Sofia University ''St. Kliment Ohridski'' and the Technical University of Sofia included in prestigious global ranking

For the third consecutive year, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” has been included in a prestigious global ranking. In the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026, the university ranks 814th out of 2,002 universities. It ranks..

published on 11/19/25 9:46 AM