Национален археологически музей Каталози / National archaeological museum Catalogues

Hristo Popov, Veselka Katsarova, Kaloyan Pramatarov (eds.). The Gods and Sanctuaries in Roman Thrace (1st – 4th centuries AD). National Archaeological Museum, Catalogues, Vol. XLV (ISBN 978-619-254-058-6)

The collection of popular science articles "Gods and Sanctuaries in Roman Thrace (1st – 4th c. AD" has been printed out. The edition is under the editorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hristo Popov, Assist. Prof. Veselka Katsarova and Assist. Prof. Dr. Kaloyan Pramatarov. It is part of the eponymous temporary exhibition held at the Regional History Museum – Pernik between October 15th, 2025, and 31st March (curators: Veselka Katsarova and Kalina Petkova).

The exhibition displayed some of the most representative finds stored in the National Archaeological Museum and the Regional History Museum – Pernik: material evidence of interaction between the gods and the people who inhabited the western periphery of the Thracian lands in the 1st – 4th centuries AD. It showcases modern achievements in archaeological study of pagan cults and sanctuaries in the lands along the upper reaches of the Struma River, within the Roman Province of Thrace. The archaeological sites from which the exhibits originate are located within today’s Sofia, Pernik and Kyustendil regions. During the Roman period, these lands were part of the territories of two ancient cities: Serdica (Sofia) and Pautalia (Kyustendil).

The selected archaeological finds are mainly from extra-urban sanctuaries that have preserved the traces of numerous individual acts of homage to the divine powers that governed the human life. There are exhibited evidence about the complex interplay between local traditions and external cultural influences, demonstrating the worship of local Thracian deities, alongside with    goddesses from the Ancient Greek, the Roman and the Eastern pantheons.

The edition is part of the series National Archaeological Museum Catalogs (volumes 44 - 45). It embraces a foreword and seven richly illustrated articles, as follows:

Veselka Katsarova. Introduction (curatorial text)

Kaloyan Pramatarov. History of research.

Petya Andreeva. Thracia Sacra: cult spaces beyond the cities.

Kaloyan Pramatarov. The votives – offerings for the deities

Vasilka Paunova. Votive inscriptions.

Marina Kalpachka. Conservation and restoration challenges presented by the organization of temporary archaeological exhibitions.

The edition includes References, Photography copyrights, and Inventory numbers of the published artifacts.