Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery in the village of Svestari in northeast Bulgaria: the complete remains of a Thracian chariot and two horses that appear to have been buried upright. The finding is significant due to its excellent preservation and the unique context in which it was found.
The discovery was made by a research team led by Professor Diana Gergova of the National Archaeology Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The chariot, dating back 2,500 years, was found in a Thracian tomb alongside other artifacts, indicating its belonging to Thracian nobility. The particular mound where the carriage was discovered is adjacent to the well-known Mound of Bulgarian Khan Imurtag, where the same team uncovered a hoard of gold the previous year.
The Thracian chariot is complete with two wheels, a seat, and a boot. Experts believe that the chariot was placed in a narrow hole with a sloping side to allow the horses, which were decorated with elaborate harnesses, to pull it into its final resting place. The horses were then killed while still attached to the chariot, as evidenced by the small metal disks found on their heads, which suggest they were wearing harnesses. This conclusion was supported by the positioning of the horses and their connection to the carriage.
This discovery is particularly surprising given that many of the ancient mounds in the region have been ravaged by looters, despite a UNESCO ban on such activity. Professor Gergova emphasized the uniqueness of the find, noting that it does not resemble any other Thracian-era carriage uncovered in Bulgaria.
The Thracians, known from Homer’s “Iliad” as allies of the Trojans in the Trojan War, were a group of Indo-European tribes that inhabited a large area in Central and Southeastern Europe. They were renowned as fierce warriors and skilled horse-breeders who established a powerful kingdom in the fifth century BC.
In 2010, a similar discovery was made in the village of Borissovo in Bulgaria, where a Roman chariot and two buried horses were found. This chariot, though younger in age, showed similarities to the Thracian find, indicating a continuity of burial practices among the nobility. The Borissovo chariot was supported by stones and included a ‘boot’ with various items such as a bronze pan, ladle, grill, and bottles. A dog skeleton chained to the cart and the grave of the presumed owner were also found nearby.
Archaeologist Veselin Ignatov, who was involved in the Borissovo discovery, mentioned that around 10,000 Thracian mounds, many covering monumental stone tombs, are scattered across Bulgaria. Unfortunately, up to 90 percent of these tombs have been completely or partially destroyed by treasure hunters who smuggle the most precious objects abroad.
The discovery in Svestari provides a unique glimpse into the burial practices and material culture of the Thracian nobility, offering valuable insights into their way of life and beliefs.
