English 
Spanish 
3 min read
0 comments
A medieval gold coin was found in a fortress in Bulgaria and may depict a Byzantine emperor. Learn more about the discovery and what it reveals about the history of the region!
A recent archaeological discovery in Bulgaria has revealed an ancient gold coin, potentially related to a emperor of the Byzantine Empire. The coin, found in the village of Cherven, located near the Danube River and the northern border with Roménia, sheds light on the early period of Ottoman-Turkish occupation in the region and the wealth of the people who lived there.
The team from the Rousse Regional History Museum made the discovery while excavating medieval ruins of a strength. According to archaeologists, this coin would be from the Byzantine Empire and may be associated with John III Ducas Vatatzes, emperor of Nicaea between 1222 and 1254.
The Empire of Nicaea was one of the regions that emerged after the Fourth Crusade and the sack of Constantinople in 1204, constituting a successor state to the Byzantine Empire. On the other hand, studies indicate that the Latin Empire — founded by crusaders who occupied Constantinople — would have minted coins in the Byzantine style after the conquest, a fact that complicates the precise identification of the context of origin of the coin.
- Something strange is happening to the dogs of Chernobyl
- Something Strange on Jupiter! Scientists Are Puzzled by Large Dark Shapes on the Planet
- TU-160, the colossal titanium supersonic jet that dominates the skies: the Air Force's nuclear 'White Swan' breaks limits with 2.200 km/h and impresses the world!
- China unveils new cardless payment system using just the palm of your hand
TOYS
Archaeologist Svetlana Velikova, who is leading the excavations at Cherven, noted that the coin’s weight is significantly lower than expected, suggesting that it was adjusted to align with 1388th-century minting standards. This detail, combined with the location where it was found, points to a possible dating to the early years after the Ottoman conquest of the city in XNUMX.
Archaeological significance of gold coin
The ruins of the village of Cherven, a strategic point in the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396), have been explored for over a century, revealing the historical and Valuation of the region. The fortifications indicate that Cherven was a significant center of power and trade during the medieval era.
The discovery of more coins, arrows, jewelry and ceramics suggests that the city had, in addition to defensive structures, a society with different socioeconomic classes, where some people enjoyed considerable wealth.
Velikova explains that until recently, archaeologists believed that the western part of the city was inhabited by poor people. However, the new coin and other artifacts found along an ancient defensive wall of the fortress indicate otherwise, suggesting that at least some of the local residents were wealthy and had access to gold coins.
The influence of the Ottoman Empire and the legacy of the Bulgarian Empire
The Second Bulgarian Empire, which rivaled the Byzantine Empire in the Balkans, eventually succumbed to the growing power of the Ottoman Empire, which had already conquered extensive Byzantine territories. In 1453, with the fall of Constantinople, the Ottoman Empire solidified its hold over the region and made the city its new capital. Bulgaria remained under Ottoman control for about 500 years after its final conquest in 1396.
Impact of the discovery and new paths for medieval history
The discovery of the coin is not only a window into the past, but also a reminder of how trade and currency circulation were intertwined between different empires and cultures, even in times of war. By uncovering coins and various artifacts, archaeologists are not only mapping the economic history of the region, but also uncovering stories of resilience and adaptation amidst conquest.
These findings fuel discussion about the Second Bulgarian Empire and the context of its eventual fall to the Ottoman Empire, which transformed the political and social landscape of the region for centuries.
Be the first to react!