Geoarchaeology and Archaeomineralogy (Eds. R. I. Kostov, B. Gaydarska, M. Gurova). 2008. Proceedings of the International Conference, 29 30 October 2008 Sofia, Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, 266 270.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF GOLD ORE DEPOSITS AT THE VILLAGES OF KOLIO MARINOVO (SARNENA GORA MOUNTAIN) AND BABYAK (WESTERN RHODOPES) IN ANTIQUITY
Milena Tonkova
National Archaeological Institute and Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1000 Sofia; [email protected]
ABSTRACT. Archaeological evidence for the exploitation of gold ore deposits at the villages of Kolio Marinovo (Sarnena Gora Mountain) and Babyak (Western Rhodopes) in antiquity are traced at the current study. The methodic of study consists in restoration of settlement system established around ancient mining galleries where archaeological materials were found. According to archaeological researches made at the region of the mines of Kolio Marinovo and near the sanctuary of Babyak there is many evidences that the mines were also used during the Pre Roman and Roman period.
The map of the ancient gold and silver deposits from Thrace unfortunately that was left without constant extension, for the (from the territory of Bulgaria) (Fig. 1) is compiled on the basis exchange of knowledge between geologists and of several studies. The most important are those from the First archaeologists on the problems of this boundary for both International Symposium of History of Mining in Southeast scientific disciplines. The ancient gold mining data have been Europe held in Bulgaria in the 80 es of the XX c. (First reviewed and discussed in relation to the localization of Symposium on the History of Mining in South-East Europe , jewellery workshops, some of which are known to have exist in 1975) and the study of G. Georgiev on the traces of ancient the close vicinity (Tonkova, 1994, 183 188; 1999). mining in our lands (Georgiev, 1987). It was a good beginning,
Fig. 1. Map of the ancient gold and silver deposits from the territory of Bulgaria
266 On the base of the published sources the conclusion can sometimes lead to very encouraging results. Some of them will be drawn that for most known examples one can speak only of be presented bellow. ancient gold mining without having data allowing chronological decisions to be done from these findings. Only in certain cases The settlement system in the region of the the archaeological chance has made possible discovery of Chirpan Heights from the V-I c. BC and gold materials allowing more precise dating. Such are the cases with the antique mines of Kolio Marinovo (Sarnena Gora extraction in Sarnena Gora in Antiquity Mountain) and Babyak (Western Rhodopes) which are the One of the gold bearing occurrences is located in the object of our study. The evidences refer mainly to Roman and South part of Sarnena Gora Mountain in the area of the Medieval Ages although there are many indications that these villages Chekhlare, Kolio Marinovo, Slavjanin and Gorno Selo. deposits were known in earlier periods. These suggestions are There was a claim for gold extraction at the mine ‘Golden a result of a thorough study of the settlement system from the Fleece’ in the 20 es of the last century. Gold has been still territory of the recorded ancient mining exploitations. The field panned in the Rakhmanlijska, Omourovska and Novoselska observations combined with studies on adjacent sites, certain Rivers till now (Fig. 2). There are clear evidences for gold historical facts and analyses of specialists from earth sciences extraction in this region in antiquity.
Fig. 2. Map of the gold deposits from the territory of Bulgaria
Mining galleries were discovered in the frames of the present There are indirect data about the exploitation of mines in village Kolio Marinovo which were described by Balaschev Kolio Marinovo in Pre Roman times. In this respect quite and Radoslavov. Coins minted in Serdicae between 197 and meaningful is the concentration of hoards with coins of the 218 were found in these galleries (Balaschev, 1922, 461 466; second and I c. BC from the lands of five neighboring villages Radoslavov, 1934). This date serves as terminus ante quem, in the gold bearing zone: Chekhlare, Kolio Marinovo i.e. the galleries were surely exploited before this time (Zlatareva, 1960), Pravoslav, Medovo (Gerasimov, 1963; (Tonkova, 2000, 137 138). At the same time, i.e. during the Nikolov, 1964) and Naidenovo (Gerasimov, 1955) (Fig. 3). Roman period there was a fortress ( quadriburgium , fortress Their burial in the late I c. BC must has been connected with a with military functions, connected with the defense of roads or probable instability in the region (Nikolov, 1964) that could be passes) (Dinchev, 1997, 95 96), obviously defending the referred to the control above the mines. Furthermore, Y. functioning mines. It must be noted that just to the village of Yuroukova supposes that their burial was connected exactly Kolio Marinovo there was an important Thracian sanctuary of with the offensive of the army of the Roman commander Kybele and the Thracian Heros (Velkov, 1932/34, 65)1 – the Lucullus, suppressed the revolted against the Roman gold extraction was guarded both by the authority and by the expansion Pontic colonies. It is considered that Lucullus deities. The evidence in this respect are already plentiful that subjected the exploitation of gold from the mines at Kolio will be discussed bellow. Marinovo and, even, with this gold he minted coins necessary for the replenishment of his treasury (Yuroukova, 1963, 43).
The exploitation of the goldbearing deposit at Kolio Marinovo 1During the field inspections a part of a votive tablet of the Thracian and the surrounding area of the Sarnena Gora in the earlier Heros was found; unpublished data of the author. Classical and Hellenistic Ages can not be illustrated with such
267 Fig. 3. Map of the settlement system in the region of the Chirpan Heights
direct evidence. It, however, could be supposed on the ground analysis of the numerous gold artifacts, found in the rich of the concentration of numerous monuments coming from the graves of the local Thracian aristocrats. The perspective in region – remains of a strong representative power of the V IV such studies recently is demonstrated by the analyses of the c. BC. These are rich graves (Rosovets, Brezovo, Slavianin, gold pectoral from a grave dated ІV c. BC from the village of Bratya Daskalovi), big settlements (Brezovo, Kolio Marinovo), Bratya Daskalovi (former village Voinitsite) (Fig. 4). The gold a dense settlement network where Thracians and Greeks lived content is comparable with the content of native gold from the together (Medovo, Naidenovo, Saedinenie), developed road area of Sarnena Gora (Kulev et al., in press) system. This wealth of remains of advanced settlement system could be explained through the control on the gold deposits, the organization of gold exploitation, the trade with gold and import goods, with the control on the commerce between the valleys of the Maritsa and Toundzha River as a whole, as well as, with the control above the roads (Tonkova, 2000; 2002).
We tried to confirm our hypothesis with objective evidence, with the help of specialists in the exact sciences. Metal slag from second first century settlements from the goldbearing zone (e.g. the village of Najdenovo) and from a Roman settlement near the village of Bratya Daskalovi) was analyzed by M. Leblanc – a French specialist at the laboratory in Montpelier. As far as it concerns the slag from this site their opinion is that it could be remain from the melting of gold Fig. 4. Golden pectoral from a rich grave near the village of Bratya (unpublished data). In fact, there are other evidences for Daskalovi (former village Voinitsite ) probable traces of gold processing. Two stone blocks come from this site. It consists of separate unlinked segments made Our study on the settlement system in the region of the gold of volcanic tuff. As material, shape and dimensions, and mines led to a great but expected by us discovery – an therefore as a purpose, they are identical to corresponding important settlement of the time of the Thracian king Seuthes elements of the ‘movable millstone’ of the so called ‘Delos III. The remains of this Thracian settlement are situated in the rotary mill’ considered as a Greek phenomenon (Tonkova, “Halka Bunar” locality in the area of the village of Gorno 2000, 137, s. 1). Part of the scientists supposes that these Belevo, near the town of Chirpan. Structures belonging to three mills, a Greek patent, were designed not for grinding of grain sectors – manufacturing, cult and residential, have been but for ore (Brunet, 1996). Another direction of study is the studied so far. Five pottery kilns were found in the first sector. The time of the existence of the settlement could be related to
268 the period of the last years from the IV c. BC to the second There have been clarified some very important aspects of the decade of the III c. BC (Tonkova, 2002). Without direct cult – chthonic and also the solar aspects. In the time of connection with the theme under consideration, this find is a ancient Thrace these comprehensive powers are possessed circuitous argument for the level of living, political organization, by the highest Thracian deity – the Great Thracian Goddess. commercial and cultural relations of a settlement and also Along with Her most probably a male deity had been illustrates the prosperity of the region connected with the mine worshipped as well, if we are to judge by the presented as gifts exploitation also in the Early Hellenistic period. mining tools and weapons. During the Roman Age those gods were personified as Hera and Zeus, according to the votive Thracian sanctuary near the village of Babyak tablets found here. and the ore mining deposit “Babyak”, Western Among the gifts for the gods offered at the sanctuary most Rhodopes common are fragments of pottery and means of labor (large The location and unique archaeological finds from the amount of loom weights and spindle whorls, sickles, knives, sanctuary near the village of Babyak present us with the miners’ and jewelers’ tools), lots of personal objects related to opportunity to describe it as a fundamental cult place of the decoration of the body and clothes (ornaments and fibulas belligerent Bessoi – the Thracian population that originated made of silver and bronze), silver coins and trade stamps from from the Western Rhodopes area and the valleys along the II I c. BC. Some of the gifts are objects which had been crafted Upper Mesta River (Domaradski et al., 1999; Gotzev, 1994; particularly for the cult, but there are also objects which had Tonkova, 2005; 2007; Tonkova, Gotzev, Ed., 2008). been used in everyday life. Among them – with a great importance for our investigation are those found in a stone The sanctuary near Babyak is situated over a three heap dated from ІІІ ІІ c. BC: two mining tools – an iron axe and sectioned peak “Babyashka Chuka” located on a high summit an axe mattock (Fig. 5 6), found on a tray. (1653.6 m a.s.l.), а natural dominant over the surroundings, the view it reveals encompasses the valley of Razlog, Predela, Pirin, Rila, and the spectacular landscape of the Rhodopes. The remains of the cult activities that had taken place there have formed cultural layers thick up to 3 meters in some places. Abundant with archaeological materials, this area covers over 6 7 decares. The stratigraphic examinations showed that the sanctuary had been in exploitation for more than 14 centuries in the period between I mill. BC – V c. AD. It existed during four chronological periods – Late Bronze, Early Iron, Late Iron and Roman Age.
The first ascertained period of zenith for the sanctuary is assigned to the second half of the Early Iron Age (VIII VI c. BC). To that period can be assigned the earliest fortification Fig. 5. An iron axe from the sanctuary at the village of Babyak walls. Other representatives of the period are also the first structures related to the offering of gifts: clay altars different in size and shape, stone heaps and ritual pits. The gifts represent mostly fragments of pottery with characteristic of this period ornaments.
The second period of existence for the sanctuary refers to the Late Iron Age (V I c. BC). Particularly distinctive is the growth of the sanctuary between the end of the III c. BC until I c. BC. In this period the cult area ( temenos ) is enclosed by light stone wall ( peribol ). The cult practices during that period are organized around altars and in gift depots, representing clay altars with different shape, ritual pits, stone heaps in lines, alternating platforms and clefts, rock niches filled with gifts and Fig. 6. An axe-mattock from the sanctuary at the village of Babyak “sealed” with arranged little stones. The sanctuary flourished also during the Roman Period. The most significant traces of Parts of stone pans and hand grinding mills with sluices were this time are explored in the High Pinnacle. There were found also found at the sanctuary (Fig. 7) (Tonkova, 2005, 173, T.II, roughly processed stone column and ceramic building material 12,13, 18; 2007, 59, s. 10, 23, Table ІІ, 12, 13). According to which presumes the presence of a temple dating from that Domaradski they are designed for grinding of the ore period. In that sector are found fragments of a monumental (Domaradski et al., 1999, 31, 39). Mining instruments are also marble statue of a Thracian goddess of fertility, as well as of a great interest in this aspect. With the chisels and the votive tablets of Hera and Zeus. The various gifts of metal and jewels that were found, the cycle of extraction and fine clay also certify for diverse manifestations of the cult from that treatment of the metal is evident. Chisels could be related to time. The large amount of silver and bronze coins (over 200) the activity of jewellery workshops for which there are found in the sanctuary refers mostly to the Late Roman Age evidences near the sanctuary during the Pre Roman period: ІІІ and Late Antiquity. І c.BC.
269 Georgiev, 1987. Mineral Deposits at the TIme of the Thracians . Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, 134 p. (in Bulgarian) Gerasimov, T. 1955. Collective finds of coins in 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954. – Proc. Bulg. Archaeol. Inst., 20 , 602 611(in Bulgarian). Gerasimov, T. 1963. Coin treasuries found in Bulgaria in 1960 and 1961. – Proc. Bulg. Archaeol. Inst., 22 , 257 270 (in Bulgarian). Gotzev, A. 1994. A new data about Thracian cult practices in the West Rhodopa mountain. – In: Relations Thraco-Illyro- Helleniques. Actes du XIVe Symposium National de Thracologie (a participation Internationale)(Eds. P. Roman, M. Alexianu). Baile Herculane (14 19 septembre 1992), Bucarest, 266 274. Kulev, I., M. Tonkova, T. Stoyanov. (in press). Chemical composition of gold breast plates from ancient Thrace (5 th 4th century BC). – Archaeologia Bulgarica . Nikolov, N. 1964. Collective find of Roman republican coins in Stara Zagora region. – Proc. Bulg. Archaeol. Inst., 27 , 153 180. Radoslavov, B. 1934. The Gold Deposits in the Chirpan Fig. 7. Hand grinding mills from the sanctuary at the village of Babyak Region. Sofia (in Bulgarian). Tonkova, M. 1994. Vestiges d’ateliers d'orfèvrerie thrace des Mining instruments represent the activity typical of martial Ve III e s. av. J. C. (sur le territoire de la Bulgarie). – Helis, Bessoi, local Thracian population which is known for their III , 175 214. exceptional skills in mining. Discovering of the sanctuary is of a Tonkova, M. 1999. L'orfèvrerie en Thrace aux Ve IVe s.av. J. great importance, because its existence is probably connected C. Gisements d'or et d'argent, ateliers, parures. – In: with mining of gold. Today in the immediate proximity of the Thasos. Matières premières et technologie de la sanctuary entrances of the galleries that were used during the préhistoire à nos jours (Eds. H. H. Koukouli- Hrizantaki, A. antique times are visible. “Babyak” is ore mining field which is Muller, S. Papadopoulos). Actes du Colloque International, proved to be used for mining gold and lead (Fig. 1, 2). Several Thasos, Limenaria , 1995 , Paris, 185 194. years ago, during geological researches on this field on several Tonkova, M. 2000. Sur le système des sites du Deuxième places was gathered documentary evidence of galleries and Age du Fer dans la région des Collines de Chirpan. – In: large mining shafts where mining tools such as hammers, Pistiros et Thasos. Structures économiques dans la arrows, water pump made by wood and etc. were found). Péninsule Balkanique aux VIIe-IIe siècles avant J.-C. (Ed. (Georgiev, 1987, 99 100). These remains are dated to the M. Domaradzki). Opole, 133 145. Middle Ages, but taking into account the materials related to Tonkova, M. 2002. A new found Thracian centre from the mining from ІІІ І c. BC that were found in the sanctuary could Early Hellenistic Age at the Halka Bunar spring in the land be assumed that the mine was used by the Thracian people in of the village of Gorno Belevo (investigations in 2000 and Pre Roman times as well. 2001). – Ann. Archaeol. Inst. Museum, 2 , 148 196 (in Bulgarian) According to archaeological researches made at the region Tonkova, M. 2005. Les dépôts d’offrandes du Deuxième âge of the ancient mines in the area of the village of Kolio Marinovo du fer dans le sanctuaire thrace de Babjak, le Rhodope (Sarnena Gora Mountain) and near the sanctuary at the village Occidental. – In: The Culture of Thracians and their of Babyak (Western Rhodopes) there are many evidences that Neigbourgs. Proc. Intern. Symposium in Memory of Prof. gold deposits were also exploited during the Pre Roman and Mieczislaw Domaradzki with a Round Table Roman period. “Archaeological Map of Bulgaria” (Eds. J. Bouzek, L. Domaradzka), BAR Intern. Series 1350 , 163 187. 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