The Bulgarian History Museum receives prestigious award and makes impressive contribution to Bulgarian Archaeology 2025

With prestigious awards and impressive participation in the exhibition, the Bulgarian History Museum (NIM) took part in the opening of the exhibition “Bulgarian Archaeology 2025,” organized for the nineteenth consecutive year by the National Archaeological Institute with Museum (NAIM) at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAN). The inspiring occasion is once again Archaeologist’s Day – February 14, with the forum bringing together the most significant discoveries from the past season.

During the official ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture Docent Dr. Todor Chobanov presented the Golden Griffin awards for contributions to archaeology in 2024. Among those awarded with a certificate and an honorary badge are Violina Kiryakova (NIM) and Dr. Philip Petrunov (NAIM) – scientists whose work is directly related to some of the most significant discoveries in recent years. For NIM, this recognition is not only a success for the distinguished specialists, but also recognition of the museum’s consistent scientific policy and active fieldwork.

The Bulgarian History Museum participates in the exhibition with 55 exhibits from its archaeological research. A significant part of them are the result of excavations of the medieval fortress town of Kaliakra, led by Docent Dr. Boni Petrunova, Director of NIM, and Dr. Philip Petrunov (National Archaeological Institute with Museum), and deputy directors Violina Kiryakova (NIM) and Elena Endarova (NIM). Among the most impressive finds is a silver, gilded medallion with a poetic inscription dedicated to the Holy Mother of God. This is an extremely rare monument with parallels in Mount Athos and of considerable scientific value. The restoration was carried out by specialists at the Central Laboratory for Conservation and Restoration of the National Institute of Archaeology with director Nezabravka Parvanova.

The exhibition also highlights the results of field surveys in the municipality of Yakoruda, carried out by the chief. Ass. Dr. Mariela Inkova (National Institute of Archaeology) together with Stanimir Stoychev from the Regional Museum of History – Shumen. The discovered tile with a Greek inscription from the 5th–6th century, in which a craftsman from the Western Rhodopes confidently “advertises” the quality of his production, is a rare testimony to the literacy and self-confidence of the local population in late antiquity. The translation is the work of Assoc. Prof. Nikolay Sharanov from Sofia University, and the object has already been restored and is kept in the NIM collection.

The exhibition also features a find from Pliska, the first Bulgarian capital, where Assoc. Prof. Mariela Inkova and Panayot Antonov from the National Archaeological Museum are participating in the team of Prof. Stanislav Stanilov (NAIM). The lead seal of Kocel, archon of Pannonia from the second half of the 9th century, completes the picture of the political and spiritual ties of early medieval Bulgaria.

During the opening, the problems facing the archaeological community regarding the lack of clear criteria for strategic sites were highlighted. This inevitably creates uncertainty and shifts the burden mainly to rescue excavations. To a certain extent, this trend jeopardises the sustainable development of archaeological research in Bulgaria.

The exhibition “Bulgarian Archaeology 2025” can be viewed until June 7. For the Bulgarian History Museum (NIM), participation in it is part of its long-term mission—to research, preserve, and present Bulgaria’s cultural and historical heritage with professionalism and responsibility to society.