Definition: The Balkan Copper Age cemetery site of Varna is located near the resort town of the same name, on the Black Sea in coastal Bulgaria. The site includes almost 300 graves, dated to the early fourth millennium BC. Two of the tombs included some of the richest grave goods oever found in eastern Europe, including beaten sheet metal gold, diadems, axe-shafts, and other gold goods; beads of spondylus and dentalium, bone, carnelian, and marble. Numerous figurines of marble, and obsidian and flint blades were also recovered. Much of the gold and other materials were transported in from far away, suggesting that the people of Varna were firmly connected to the ongoing trade in central Europe.
Varna was discovered by accident during road construction in the early 1970s and excavated by Ivan Ivanov.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
Varna was discovered by accident during road construction in the early 1970s and excavated by Ivan Ivanov.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
Also Known As: Varna Necropolis
