Bulgaria Strikes Gold in Search for Ancient Thracians

[emad]

By Tsvetelia Ilieva
SHIPKA, Bulgaria (Reuters) - Georgi Kitov's hands trembled as he cradled the glittering visage of an ancient king unearthed from a tomb in southern Bulgaria.

"This is the face of an evil ruler!" cried the archeologist, marveling at the cruel gaze from the mask of solid gold, the size of a dinner plate.

The mask dates back to the 5th century BC -- the golden age of the little-known Thracians -- and has been hailed as an unrivaled find in the study of classical antiquity.

If Kitov and other archeologists from Bulgaria have their way, it is just a glimpse of what is to come.

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=ourWorldNews&storyID=6734252

No Reuters pic...."Face of evil ruler" - first known mention of Bush dynasty?

[Renew Deal]

1. That's amazing

and very possible. That region has a very long history. Just about everyone ruled it at some point. (Greeks, Byzantines, Romans, Ottomans, Germans and I think others). The Greek archeological museum is filled with stuff like this, though I don't remember seeing a golden mask. Here is a google search on thracian: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=thracian

You can see much of the museums contents here: http://www.culture.gr/2/21/214/21405m/e21405m1.html

Almost everything there is from the immediate area.

[emad]

2. Thank you.

..

[Spiffarino]

3. Spartacus was supposedly Thracian

This is very interesting, and a nice break from politics.

[Lefty48197]

4. It sure would be nice if they could stop the looting

I mean the looting of the Thracian burial sites, and the entire wealth of the United States.

[ps1074]

5. Here is a nice pic of the mask

[ps1074]

6. There is an area

in Bulgaria called by the archeologist 'Valley of Kings'. There are hundreds of mounds and tombs there and only a small part of them are being worked on. This is where Thracians lived thousands of years ago.

This same scientist discovered last month what he believe to be the tomb of King Seutus III - The Great King of the Thracians.