Geoarchaeology and Archaeomineralogy (Eds. R. I. Kostov, B. Gaydarska, M. Gurova). 2008. Proceedings of the International Conference, 2930 October 2008 , Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, 258262.

GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL MONUMENTS OF ANCIENT MINING IN MOUNTAIN

Todor Nenov

LK “Mladost” bl. 84A, 1797 Sofia

ABSTRACT. In Sredna Gora Mountain are preserved thousand of monuments and traces of ore production from the Prehistoric period, the Antiquity period and the Medieval period. These are mine pits, quarries, shafts, underground passages, wastes and miners’ tools and facilities, which often have been interpreted onesidedly in a historical (archaeological) aspect. bearing, copper goldbearing, copper and iron ores have been exploited. The material traces of mining activity are represented by geoarchaeological monuments, which require complex approach and research methods.

Introduction Information about the prehistoric and antique ore production The cult and economic character of a number of rock in , and more precisely, in the Srednogorie Region, phenomena can not be doubted. Such are ancient sacred and can be found in a number of publications (Skorpil, 1882; 1884; cult places, sacrificial sites and food storages, which are to be 1888; Karaoglanov, 1924; Radoslavov, 1934; Peev, 1975; found at many places around and in the natural heights of 1980; 1990; Georgiev, 1978; 1987; Cernykh, Raduncheva, Sredna Gora Mountain. Such are some of the rock cauldrons 1972; Cernykh, 1978; Kovachev, 1994; Nenov, 1994; 1997; in the (“Kazanite”) and Avdev, 2005; Nenov, Nenov, 2008a; 2008b). Certain data on (“Kazaneto” near the Village Kazanka and “Kazana” near the mining activities are given in the records of travelers, in village Kolena) area. At the last place, the ore masses have chroniques and historical documents. In the present the been “turned around” and hammered in small pieces. Under Srednogorie Region work is discussed, known discussion is the origin and attribution of the “huge rocks” at geomorphologically as Sredna Gora – from the Pancharevo the Lisets and the “turned around” stones in Gorge of the River to the “big bend” of the Tundja River Panagyurishte Sredna Gora and in Suranena Sredna Gora to the South of the depression. Out of the described (near Samodivets peak) (Škorpil, 1888). area are the Western (Viskyar) and Eastern Srednogorie, which are not less interesting in this respect. Significant in this respect is the unique archaeological monument “Kutela” (the “mortar”) at the Southern slope of Localization Bratan peak. It has been modelled from a granite block with A number of material evidence, traces, literary data and thickness of the walls 0.40 m, depth 1.00 m, inside diameter toponymy data, all related to the mining and production of from top to bottom 1.300.50 m, outside perimeter 4.30 m, аnd different mineral raw materials over centuries have been one with two stone “handles” 0.55х0.25х0.15 m (Fig. 1). Some sidedly interpreted, mostly only in archaeological aspect. Thus, authors suggest that it is a Thracian sacrificial object, while the mine pits and wastes on the slopes of the Golak peak others – a monument related to the Early Christian period (a (Sakardja; Okopanik) in the Panagyurishte Sredna Gora have font). Similar in shape are the cascade tubecut stones around been described as “Roman antiquities”, “traces of town” and the Kavakliika peak, which can be compared to those (known even “earth” fortifications from the ХІV century (Deliradev, as “sharapani”) in the Region and other places in the 1954). The research has proved that they are mining pits and Eastern Rhodopes. Remarkable is their close location to gold wastes of ancient mining since prehistoric times – Neolithic, and goldbearing occurrences and deposits. Only around the Chalcolithic and PreRoman (Thracian) periods. Similar is the mountain area of BratanKavakliika can be traced over 150 situation with the “fortresses” at the Eledjik peak and several ancient ore production sites and two shafts (near the villages of other places (for example near the village Golak, Paunovo and Kolio Marinovo and Gorno Novo Selo), as well as many traces others) in Sredna Gora, as well as in the Bratan, of washing placer gold (Nenov, 1997). Thos evidence gives the Kavakliika and Morulei mountain areas in Surnena Sredna opportunity to accept their relation to ancient ore production Gora. Analogous paradoxes can be found in the Western Stara and not as monuments of a cult character. In 2006 around the Planina metallogenic region: , well known site “Kutela” were found granite pieces of a Martinovo, Iskar and especially ore fields (near destroyed similar single or group of monuments (Fig. 2), and the Svisti Plaz peak, Karduna, Kapalu and others). nearby – a destroyed “dolmen” or “cromlech”type site (Fig. 3). 258 The idea for the origin, age and attribution of the “sharapani” 2008) has been already suggested for the studied area and rock niches in the Eastern Rhodopes (Ivanova, Zlatkova, (Nenov, 1971).

Fig. 1. The unique geoarchaeological monument “Kutel” below the Peak Bratan in Surnena Sredna Gora Mountain (granite)

Fig. 2. Parts of a destroyed analogous “Kutel” in the same area (granite)

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Fig. 3. A megalithic site (parts of a dolmen or a cromlech) in the same area

Well known in the country is the abundance of prehistoric (Stara Zagora) and Diampolis (Yambol). From the point of view settlements and especially Thracian burial mounds. Some of of guarding places a lot of townsfortresses have existed in the them, suggested as “route” sites are in fact “ore mounds”. They Panagyurishte area, the ore fields of and have a smaller height (12 to 3 m and rarely more) and size. Mountains (Ihtiman Sredna Gora), ore region, Stara They are situated in the mountain areas scattered on hillsides Zagora ore field, Bakadjitsite ore area and others to the East. and watersheds, in certain cases grouped in several tenths, always close to placer gold or copper occurrences and These sites had the function of guarding the ancient ore deposits. They are widely spread in the Panagyurishte region, centres. In most of them the ore has been crashed in stone especially near the Medet (Drazhil and Ognishtata sites) and basins and mortars (known as “kuteli”; “sharapani”), grinded in Asarel deposits. A lot of them have been destroyed by the stone mills, washed and even melted down – the evidence is activities of the openpit mines, but some have been slag and ore pieces, as well as fragments of ancient kilns preserved. Besides the Panagyurishte Region they are found (“ognishta”). They develop as ancient mining and metal also in Ihtiman and Surnena Sredna Gora, and in the Eastern producing centres. Between many of them preserved traces of Srednogorie. Some of them are waste of washed or barren ancient routes are known. The role of the Stara Planina materials from the nearby ore occurrences, while others are Mountain fortresses has changed in time (in Roman and parts of crushed ore pieces, including slag and other melt Byzantine times with their importance on the Northern slopes wastage. of the mountain and later – on the Southern slopes) and that of the Sredna Gora Mountain sites has been constant because of Until present time in the Srednogorie Zone and the parallel the mining and ore production activity. on both sides Podbalkanski valleys and are known hundreds (over 300 in numbers) ruins of ancient Sredna Gora Mountain – the cradle of ore fortified settlements, fortresses, towns, towers and road production in Bulgaria stations. Geographical names as “Gradishteto”, “Kaleto” and Sredna Gora Mountain is supposed to be the cradle of “Selishteto” are over 100 in number. The Thracian sites have copper production on the Balkans and in Europe. The area is been later inhabited by other civilizations, including during the rich with nonmetallic raw materials which have been used as time of the First and Second Bulgarian kingdoms. Thracian artefacts since prehistoric times. In the Sredna Gora copper, constructions are incorporated in the masonry of many ancient copper goldbearing and iron (iron oxide) deposits are known fortresses. Their location and function is related to the guarding which have been exploited from ancient to modern times. of the main routes or other strategic places. Endogenous and placer deposit are also known, the latter located in the rivers’ beds and terraces. The Romans as good builders transform the old Thracian sites in suitable road guarding places. Through the Ihtiman It has been proved that the oldest copper mines in Europe Sredna Gora, following the Trajan passage, between the are located in Surnena Sredna Gora (Cernykh, 1978). Traces Eledjik and Golak Mountain the socalled “Trajan route is of them can be found near the villages of Hrishteni and known” – the shortest way through the Balkans from Europe to Rakititsa, the Stara Zagora Mineral Baths, in the area “Mechi Asia. This route connected Singidunum (Belgrade) via Naisus Kladenets” (“Ai Bunar”), “Tumyanka” and other places in Stara (Nis), Serdika (Sofia), Trimontium () and Adrianopol Zagora Region. There are from the Chalcolithic period – 5000 (Edrine) with Constantinopol (Istanbul) through several 4000 BC. The copper ores in the region have been with high passages in the mountains and their deviations to the Roman gold content – only in the “Mechi Kladenets” area it has been townfortresses Diokletoanopolis (Hissarya), Augusta Trajana

260 estimated that over 300 kg of gold have been produced copper deposits, the Golak Peak (Sakardja), near the villages (Cernykh, 1978). At the same place evidence for the Chavdar (with well preserved ore producing sites, application of “fire” method in ore production was found, about hydrotechnological facilities and interesting toponymy – one hundred years before the same practice in the Pyrenean , Demirkapiiska or Iron Mogila, Ognishtata, Vidnite, peninsula (Avdev, 2005). Gradishteto), , Rosen, , Tsar Asen and other. The whole Panagyurishte Sredna Gora has been surrounded The Varna gold artefacts are supposed to represent the by fortresses and watching towers from the gorge of oldest manufactured gold in the world (45004000 BC). It has Topolnitsa River to the West (there are at least 6 of them) to been logically ascertained that part of the gold has been the Pesnopoiski gorge of the Stryama River to the East. produced in the Sredna Gora area (Avdev, 2005). Besides Among them are the Koichovo Kale and Mechenskoto copper and gold production both in the Stara Zagora Region, Gradishte (near the village ), Krasenskoto Kale there is evidence for mining of gold in situ deposits in the (village Buta), Gradishteto and Krepostta (near the village of Chirpan Region – near the villages Chehlare, Kolio Marinovo, Lesichevo), Popinskoto Kale and the Galata fortress (near the Gorno Novo Selo, in the Bratan and Kavakliika massives, as town of ), Ovchepolsko Kale (Gyurgov Grad), well as in Ihtiman Sredna Gora (near the villages Baylovo, Remanskoto Kale, Kanarata and Gradishteto (the village of Golyama Rakovitsa, Vakarel and Verinsko). Placer gold has Krustevich), Krasnovskata Kula and Gradishteto (the village of been washed in the Stara Zagora and Chirpan Regions from Chavdar), Golyamo Pirdopsko Kale and Malko Pirdopsko Kale, the river beds and terraces of the rivers Rahmanliiska, Dushansko Gradishte (near the town of Klisura), Kulata (the Omurovska and its tributaries, Tundja and its right tributaries village of Rosino), Stenitsata (the village of Karavelovo), and Maritsa in the Momina Klisura gorge. Bogdanskoto Kale (the village of Bogdan), Klimentski Gradishta (the village of Kliment), Voinyagovski Gradishta (the Antiquity village of Voinyagovo) and others. The PreRoman period (ІV c. BC – І c. AD) has been a real “golden time”, and besides gold, the copper production has Surnena Sredna Gora continued. This period is linked to the mining activities of the The geoarchaeological monuments in the Surnena Sredna Thracian tribes, which have been considered as masters in the Gora are the most numerous and poorly studied. In situ and prospecting and production of alluvial placer “native” gold and placer gold has been also produced (in the Western part), as construction of mining facilities. Geoarchaeological material well as copper and gold (in the Eastern part). About 31 ancient traces of the activities of the ancient miners (ore pits and holes, mining pits are known near the village Svezhen, 8 – near the quarries, shafts, miners instruments and facilities) have been Bukova Mogila peak, 20 – near the village of Osetenovo, and found at hundreds of sites in the Srednogorie zone – from about 150 – near the villages of Chehlare, Rozovets, Serbia (Maidanpek ore region) to the ore region in the Slavyanin, Gorno Novo Selo, Dolno Novo Selo and Kolio Eastern Srednogorie in Bulgaria (including the Sveti Iliiski Marinovo (BratanKavakliika ore area). To the East such sites Heights, Bakadjitsite, Rosen ore field, Gramatikovo ore field are found near the villages of Pustrovo, Malko , and Zidarovo ore field). In contemporary Bulgaria their Surnevo, Sulitsa, Ruda, Kazanka, Stara Zagora Mineral Baths, localization is remarkable in the regions of Sofia, Pazardjik, Rozovo, the areas “Mechi Kladenets” and “Tumyanka”, near Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, , Yambol and Burgas. the Chatalka and Koprinka dams, and to the east of the Zmeiovski passage – near the villages of Zmeiovo, Hrishteni, Ihtiman Sredna Gora Yagoda, Kolena, Shanovo and others. Near them are located Material traces for gold production (insitu gold) are known the ruins of more than 30 guard fortresses and sites: Slivovo around the villages Golyama Rakovitsa, Baylovo, Burdo, Gradishte (near the village of Svezhen), Gradishte near the Vakarel, Paunovo, Verinsko, Golak, Belitsa and other. The Golyam Visok peak (near the village of Turiya), Krepostta (the security of the gold bearing areas is related to the known today village of Surnegor), Gradishteto, Kaleto or Kisiov Vruh, Sveti fortresses: Banchevo Kale (near village Paunovo), Kaleto (near Kolos, Zmeiovetz peak (near the village of Rozovets), the village Venkovetz) – all in the Vakarel Mountain; Oporsko Tvurditsa peak (the village of Chehlare), Chona Kale (the Kale (Pchelina) (near village Baylovo), Smolskoto Gradiste village of Medovo), Golyamoto Kale (the village of Gorno Novo (near the village Smolsko), Shishmanovo Kale (near village Selo), Gradishteto (the village of Pustrovo), Gradishteto (the Poibrene), Doshevo kale (village Bogdanovsti) – all in the village of Ostra Mogila), Bulgarskoto Kale and Tsvetin Grad Belitsa Mountain; Sersem Kale and Lyunishkoto Gradishte – in (near Stara Zagora), Golyamoto Kale and Gradishteto at Vents the Eledjik Mountain; Perdovo Kale (village Dolna Vasilitsa), peak (near the villages of Lyulyak and Kolena), Kurnovo Kaleto (village Dubravite), Smiliovo Gradishte (village (Krumovo) Gradishte (near the village of Dulboki), Gradishteto Akandjievo), Gradishteto pri Kyunka (town Vetren) – in the (the village of Bratya Kunchevi), Gradishteto (near the village Golak Mountain. The fortresses which have been used for of Karanovo), Tunzis Kale (near the village of Dolno guarding of important roads and passages, as well as towns Panicherevo), Hisar (near the village of Binkos), Strupetskoto fortresses are not listed. Among them are Diokleanopolis, Kale (the village of Strupets), Tvurditsa peak (the village of Seutopolis Beroe (Augusta Trajana), (Diampolis), the Glufishevo) and others. undiscovered Moria, Litopoli and Kopsis, Shtipon (near Ihtiman), Klasapara (near the village Krasnovo) and Avli (near During antiquity the gold production has been well developed the village Staro Selo, Sliven Region). by washing (panning) of placer gold from young Quaternary placers. The gold placers have been washed along the Iskar Panagyurska Sredna Gora River valley in the Pancharevo gorge, the Lesnovska River and Traces of ancient ore (copper, gold and possibly iron) its tributaries, the Mutivir River, the Maritsa River, the production are known from the areas of the Medet and Asarel Topolnitsa River and its Srednogorian tributaries, the Luda

261 Yana River and its main tributaries (Mechenska, Panagyurska (i.e. geoarchaeological) monument “Kutela” there have been and Stralchanska Luda Yana Rivers), the Svezhenska River, no other similar sites listed as protected areas. Zlatna River, Omurovska River, Rahmanliiska River and their tributaries, the whole valley of the Sazliika River, the Tundja References River and all its right (Srednogorian) tributaries and especially Avdev, S. 2005. History of Gold Production in the Bulgarian the rivers Saplama, Turiiska, Bilnishka, Golyamata and other Lands . Besike, Sofia, 360 p. (in Bulgarian) further to the East. Material traces of this activity are mounds Georgiev, G. K. 1978. The Old Iron Production Industry in of washed pebble materials, which are rarely found. They have Bulgaria . Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, 205 p. (in been periodically destroyed by the high waters of the rivers or Bulgarian) as a result of anthropogenic activity. Nevertheless such Georgiev, G. K. 1987. Mineral Deposits in the Time of the mounds have been preserved along the Topolnitsa River (near . Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, 135 p. the village of Chavdar), Saplama River, Turiiska River, (in Bulgarian) Golyamata River, and near the villages of Chehlare, Slavyanin Deliradev, P. 1954. Tribute to the Historical Geography of and Medovo. Such mounds have been known also along the . Vol. 1. Sofia, 488 p. (in Bulgarian) Sazliika River, but now they are under the waters of the Ivanova, S., M. Zlatkova. 2008. Book of stone. – Geology and Chatalka dam. Some ancient shafts for gold production were Mineral Resources , 12, 1518 (in Bulgarian). found during recent digging for a channel near the village of Karaoglanov, Z. 1924. Finding of gold and gold production in Pancharevo – in Pliocene (more probably in Pleistocene) gold Bulgaria. – Ann. Sofia Univ., Fac. Phys. Math., 20, 3-4, bearing conglomerates. Chemistry , 115 (in Bulgarian). Kovachev, V. 1994. The copper deposit in Bulgaria and Medieval Period possibilities for their exploitation in ancient times. – In: During the Medieval Period the data for ore production in the Problems of the Most Ancient Metallurgy. Papers of the Sredna Gora Mountain is scarce. There has been a University of Mining and Geology N4 , Sofia, 90119 (in development of the iron industry during the XVIIXVIII Bulgarian). centuries. The used ores were hematite, limonite, magnetite Nenov, T. 1971. Enigmatic niches. – Echo , 08.01.1971 (in and magnetitebearing sands. From some of the ores gold has Bulgarian). been additionally produced as in antiquity times. The magnetite Nenov, T. 1994. Short notes on the ancient gold production in production was at largest scale by washing of weathered the Bulgarian lands. – In: Problems of the Most Ancient material from igneous rocks and especially from the rich in Metallurgy. Papers of the University of Mining and Geology magnetite alluvial placers. Magnetite was hard to melt, but the N4 , Sofia, 120121 (in Bulgarian). obtained iron has almost been without impurities and with Nenov, T. 1997. The goldbearing placers in Chirpan area. – excellent technical properties. A lot of material evidence can be Geology and Mineral Resources , 1, 913 (in Bulgarian). found in this respect today: places for washing of magnetite; Nenov, T., V. Nenov. 2008a. Sredna Gora. Tangra TanNakRa, places where the woods have been used for the ironmelting Sofia (in press; in Bulgarian) facilities (called “shtetni” or “shtetini”); places for production of Nenov, T., V. Nenov. 2008b. Tracing the ancient miners in wood coal (called “zhezhni”); places for the “vidni” (special Sredna Gora. – Geology and Mineral Resources , 4, 2836 ironmelting ovens) and “samokovmadans” (initial iron (in Bulgarian). hammering and production), as well as the related Peev, I. 1975. Traces and material monuments of gold hydotechnical facilities (channels, one aqueduct near village production in the Bulgarian lands. – In: Proc. First Shipochene, Samokov Region), toponymy data and data from Symposium on History of Mining in SE Europe. Varna , 94 literary sources. As examples can be listed places near the 99 (in Bulgarian). villages of Baylovo, Golyama Rakovitsta, Gorna Malina Peev, I. 1980. Material monuments of gold production in the (limonite ores), Golak and Dulbochitsa River (hematite and Bulgarian lands. – Vekove, 9 , 4, 4856 (in Bulgarian). magnetite), in the Pancharevo gorge of Iskar River (the village Peev, I. 1990. The gold placer deposits in Bulgaria. – In: of Pasarel was an iron producing centre from the XV to the XIX Methods and Technologies for Prospecting of Mineral Raw c.), in the foothills of the Cherni (Septemvriiski) Range, in the Materials. Vol. 1. Sofia, 9297 (in Bulgarian). Momina Klisura gorge in Ihtiman Sredna Gora. Unique are the Radoslavov, B. 1934. The Gold Deposits in Chirpan Area . preserved traces of such ore production activity near the Sofia (in Bulgarian). village of Chavdar in Panagyurishte Sredna Gora. Cernykh, E. N. 1978. Mining and Metallurgy in Most Ancient Bulgaria . Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, 387 p. (in Conclusion Russian) The geoarchaeological monuments as traces of ancient ore Cernykh, E. N., A. Raduncheva. 1972. The old copper mines production in the Bulgaria are considered as a specific memory around Stara Zagora. – Archaeology , 1, 2335 (in throughout the centuries for exploitation of natural resources Bulgarian). from different civilizations. They have importance for the Škorpil, H. 1882. Mineral Treasures Found Until Now in the endorsement of the economic traditions of the Bulgarian Entire Bulgaria with a Specific Significance to the nation. They ought to be studied by competent scientific teams Geological Map . Sliven, 84 p. (in Bulgarian) of geologists, mineralogists, archaeologists, historians, Škorpil, H. 1884. Natural Treasures in the Whole of Bulgaria. geomorphologists, geophysicists and other specialists using Plovdiv, 64 p. (in Bulgarian) complex contemporary methods. Besides the archaeological Škorpil (brothers). 1888. Monuments in Bulgaria. Section I. Part I. Thracia. Sofia, 90 p. (in Bulgarian)

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