# Ancient necropolis discovery in Stara Zagora

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ancient-necropolis-discovery-in-stara-zagora
> Updated: 2026-10-20T23:05:18.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Archaeologists conducting rescue and preventive excavations near the ancient city walls of Augusta Traiana in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, have uncovered an extensive Roman-era necropolis. The site contains 135 burial facilities dating from the late 2nd to the 5th century AD, including simple pits and graves covered with stone slabs, tiles, or bricks.

Researchers identified both cremation and inhumation as primary funerary rites. A significant find includes a child’s grave containing two gold earrings and an antoninianus coin minted in Serdica during the reign of Emperor Aurelian (approximately 274–275 AD). Experts suggest the coin may have functioned as a ‘Charon’s obol’ to assist in the passage to the afterlife. 

In addition to the Roman-era burials, the site revealed architectural traces from the 17th–18th centuries and the late 19th–20th centuries.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-20: Roman child's grave discovered in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

Archaeologists in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, discovered a 1,750-year-old Roman child's grave containing gold earrings and a bronze coin from the reign of Emperor Aureliano.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/roman-childs-grave-discovered-in-stara-zagora-bulgaria

### 2026-10-14: Stara Zagora archaeologists discover ancient necropolis with 135 graves

Archaeologists in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, discovered a 2nd–5th century necropolis with 135 graves, including a child's grave containing gold earrings and a Roman coin from the reign of Emperor Aurelian.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stara-zagora-archaeologists-discover-ancient-necropolis-with-135-graves

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Cite as: Ancient necropolis discovery in Stara Zagora. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ancient-necropolis-discovery-in-stara-zagora