A team of archaeologists from the Regional History Museum, led by Dr. Vladimir Slavchev, has uncovered the well-preserved remains of a Roman chariot during the excavation of a burial mound located between Vetrino and Provadia in Varna Province, Bulgaria. This marks the first such discovery in the region.
Chariot Race in the Circus, by Raffaello Sorbi, 1894. Public Domain
The mound, which dates back to the 2nd and early 3rd century CE, belongs to the Roman period. The burial mound is situated along the path of a planned gas pipeline between Bulgaria and Romania, prompting rescue excavations funded by Bulgartransgaz in collaboration with the National Archaeological Insтιтute with Museum – BAS. Although the region had previously revealed evidence of Bronze Age activity, this particular mound has been dated to the Roman era, much to the astonishment of the archaeologists, who initially believed it belonged to an earlier period.
Dr. Slavchev explained to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) that the mound had been constructed in multiple phases. Initially, a layer of marl, a carbonate-rich soil, was used to cover the mound, which was then expanded with mysterious dome-shaped stone structures built around its southern side. These stone structures, round and elliptical in shape, were closely packed together, yet their purpose remains a mystery. Despite thorough investigation, archaeologists have found nothing inside the structures, nor any evidence of human destruction, leading Dr. Slavchev to conclude that they had not been looted.
Within the mound itself, cremation pits were discovered, where the deceased were laid on wooden pyres, cremated, and then buried. This burial practice was typical of the Roman period, and the grave goods found within the pits provide clues to the social status of the individuals buried there. While no gold items were uncovered, archaeologists found ceramic and glᴀss vessels, as well as iron and bronze artifacts. Several Roman coins were also discovered, placed in the graves as offerings for the deceased to use in the afterlife. Dr. Slavchev noted that one of the coins was minted during the reign of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, while others belonged to the Severan dynasty.
The most remarkable find, however, was the two-wheeled Roman chariot, known as a “biga,” which was buried alongside the remains of a horse. Chariots like this were commonly used in Roman times for sports, transportation, and ceremonial purposes. Although Roman chariots have been found elsewhere in Bulgaria, this is the first time one has been uncovered in the Varna region. Dr. Slavchev, speaking to BTA, expressed optimism about the possibility of reconstructing the chariot for public display, given its high level of preservation. He also suggested that, while such chariots were used for everyday transportation, the one found in the mound may have been a war chariot.
The burial mound has yielded several surprises, including the unexpected slope on which it was built, rather than the usual hilltop location for such structures. Additionally, the central part of the mound showed evidence of looting, with four distinct incursions identified. As a result, any grave goods or other significant artifacts in the primary burial, which the mound was originally constructed over, have likely been lost. Dr. Slavchev explained that it is now impossible to determine for whom the mound was initially built.
