this issue
previous article in this issuenext article in this issue

Preview first page
Document Details :

Title: Collapse in the Balkans?
Subtitle: Three 7th-Century AD Coin Hoards from Hrisosotira on the Black Sea Coast (Bulgaria)
Author(s): GANDILA, Andrei , HRISTOV, Ivan
Journal: Ancient West & East
Volume: 22    Date: 2023   
Pages: 133-157
DOI: 10.2143/AWE.22.0.3292244

Abstract :
Recent excavations at Hrisosotira, on the western Black Sea coast, have yielded an abundance of archaeological material dating from late antiquity. The most spectacular find is a closed complex labelled Building 18, where three coin hoards have been found, one gold and two copper, as well as a rich inventory including scales, weights, a bronze lamp and a diversity of ceramic containers. The coin finds indicate that wealth could still be found in small fortresses of the Black Sea coast even as late as AD 615. The destruction recorded in the southern part of the fortress was a tragic event, but one which cannot be connected with a particular invasion or any other event known from written accounts.

Download article