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2 clusters · 2 sources · 18 days · First seen · Last updated

Byzantine archaeological discoveries in Bulgaria

Overview

Archaeological excavations in Bulgaria have yielded significant Byzantine artifacts that shed light on medieval regional history.

In August 2026, researchers at the Perperikon site discovered a 13th-century imperial personal seal. Believed to have belonged to the Byzantine empress Irina Doukaina Komnene Laskarina, the artifact provides insight into diplomatic relations between the Bulgarian and Byzantine Empires, specifically regarding the Bulgarian Patriarchate and marriage negotiations between the families of Ivan Asen II and John III Vatatzes.

Following this, in September 2026, a 14th-century gold signet ring was found in the Zlatograd region. This ring is attributed to a Byzantine aristocrat named Maria Sevaste Skulena. Found alongside gold coins near a mountain pass leading toward Greece, the discovery offers further evidence of the trade, travel, and social roles of women within the Byzantine aristocracy in the Ahrydus region.

Entities

Nikolay Ovcharov · Perperikon · Zlatograd · Maria Skulena · Irina Doukaina Komnene Laskarina

Timeline

  1. 7 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Zlatograd archaeologists discover 14th-century Byzantine gold signet ring

    A 14th-century gold signet ring belonging to Byzantine aristocrat Maria Sevaste Skulena has been discovered near Zlatograd, Bulgaria, offering insights into medieval regional history.

  2. 25 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Perperikon discovery of imperial seal reveals 13th-century history

    Archaeologists at Perperikon have discovered a rare 13th-century imperial seal belonging to Byzantine Empress Irina Doukaina Komnene Laskarina, shedding light on Bulgarian-Byzantine relations.

Sources

safenews.bg · standartnews.com