The oldest known gold artifacts are located on the necropolis in Varna, a cemetery from 4,560-4,450 BC on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
Internationally considered one of the most important prehistoric archeological sites in the world, the necropolis of Varna (also called the Varna Cemetery) is an important cemetery in the western industrial zone of Varna. It comes from the period of the chalcolitic (copper period) of Varna culture, which existed about 6,000-6,500 years ago.
So far, a total of 294 tombs with about 3,000 gold artifacts have been discovered in the necropolis of Varna, according to the Archeology of Bulgaria. Although many elite tombs have been discovered, there is one that stands out among the others – Tomb 43. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a tall man who looked like a ruler or leader.
The golden тʀᴇᴀsuʀᴇ in Varna was accidentally discovered in 1972 during the construction of a tin factory on site, when a 22-year-old excavator operator named Raycho Marinov dug up several artifacts and collected them in a shoe box and brought him to his house.
A few days later, he decided to contact some local archaeologists and let them know about the discovery.
Subsequently, a total of 294 calcolithic graves were excavated in the necropolis. Using radiocarbon dating, the tombs of the Copper Age, where the golden тʀᴇᴀsuʀᴇs of Varna was found, date back to 4,560-4,450 BC.
All these strange тʀᴇᴀsuʀᴇs are the product of ancient European human civilization, which developed during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic period in present-day Bulgaria and the rest of the Balkans, the Lower Danube, and the west coast of the Black Sea. Some scholars call this prehistoric civilization “old Europe.”
Discoveries from the necropolis suggest that Varna’s culture had trade relations with remote areas of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and that rock salt was probably exported from Provadiya-Solnitsata (“Salt Well”).
Archaeologists also believe that the seashells of the Mediterranean mollusk Spondyla found in the tombs of the necropolis of Varna and other chalcolitic sites in northern Bulgaria were probably used as a type of coin in this ancient culture.
Subsequently, a total of 294 calcolithic graves were excavated in the necropolis. Using radiocarbon dating, the tombs of the Copper Age, where the golden тʀᴇᴀsuʀᴇs of Varna was found, date back to 4,560-4,450 BC.
All these strange тʀᴇᴀsuʀᴇs are the product of ancient European human civilization, which developed during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic period in present-day Bulgaria and the rest of the Balkans, the Lower Danube, and the west coast of the Black Sea. Some scholars call this prehistoric civilization “old Europe.”
Discoveries from the necropolis suggest that Varna’s culture had trade relations with remote areas of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and that rock salt was probably exported from Provadiya-Solnitsata (“Salt Well”).
Archaeologists also believe that the seashells of the Mediterranean mollusk Spondyla found in the tombs of the necropolis of Varna and other chalcolitic sites in northern Bulgaria were probably used as a type of coin in this ancient culture.
Subsequently, a total of 294 calcolithic graves were excavated in the necropolis. Using radiocarbon dating, the tombs of the Copper Age, where the golden тʀᴇᴀsuʀᴇs of Varna was found, date back to 4,560-4,450 BC.
All these strange тʀᴇᴀsuʀᴇs are the product of ancient European human civilization, which developed during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic period in present-day Bulgaria and the rest of the Balkans, the Lower Danube, and the west coast of the Black Sea. Some scholars call this prehistoric civilization “old Europe.”
Discoveries from the necropolis suggest that Varna’s culture had trade relations with remote areas of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and that rock salt was probably exported from Provadiya-Solnitsata (“Salt Well”).
Archaeologists also believe that the seashells of the Mediterranean mollusk Spondyla found in the tombs of the necropolis of Varna and other chalcolitic sites in northern Bulgaria were probably used as a type of coin in this ancient culture.
Similar “royal” graves are also found in graves no. 1, 4 and 5 in the chalcolitic necropolis in Varna. Many finds from the Varna chalcolitic necropolis are seen as a celebration of the role of the blacksmith, who as the creator replaced the role of the Great Mother and transformed the matriarchal world into a patriarchal world.
In calculus culture, the position of carpenter was comparable to that of king, because metal was a symbol of the state rather than an economic means at the time.
About 30% of the rugged area of the necropolis has not yet been excavated.