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

A Hobbiton discovered by archaeologists in Perperikon

Prof Ovcharov said the tiny houses resembling Hobbit dwellings were homes for the poor

Perperikon
Photo: Facebook /Vladislav Terziiski Photography

A village of small houses dating from the 13th-15th cent. AD, very similar to the dwellings of the Hobbits, has been excavated by archaeologist Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov and his team. It is a complex of a dozen small houses located in the southern part of the rock city of Perperikon. Prof Ovcharov told BNR-Kardzhali that the complex bears a strong resemblance to the city of the Hobbits in 'The Lord of the Rings'. 

Whole families lived in houses no larger than 20 square metres. Cooking utensils, chrome pots and tools have been found. There are narrow streets between the houses.

According to the archaeologists, the houses were inhabited by the poorer part of Perperikon's population, which numbered around 5,000 people at the time. "This is not a small number, as it was the population of Vienna at the same time," says Professor Nikolai Ovcharov.

At the end of the 14th century, burials took place there. The data show that the population declined sharply. This was probably due to the plague that hit Europe at that time, the archaeologists believe.



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

Stanislav Anastasov

MPs refuse to discuss activities of US NGOs in Bulgaria

MPs decided to change the National Assembly's agenda. At the suggestion of "DPS - New Beginning", the first topic on “establishing a temporary commission to investigate the presence of US influence on Bulgaria, including through NGOs"..

published on 1/23/25 11:14 AM

Museum of Religions in Stara Zagora receives international award

During the largest tourist exhibition for end customers in Europe – CMT Stuttgart, the architectural complex “Museum of Religions” in Stara Zagora won one of the three major awards in the International CT AWARD competition, BTA has..

published on 1/23/25 9:33 AM
Burgas in winter.

Foggy morning, sunny midday and warm afternoon

On Thursday morning there will be fog and reduced visibility with low clouds in the lowlands , valleys and along the Danube. Around midday, visibility will improve, clouds will break and the weather will be mostly sunny. Minimum temperatures will be..

published on 1/22/25 7:05 PM