In brief
In late October, teams from the Regional History Museum of Burgas uncovered a sizeable rectangular building adjacent to the inner southern wall of the medieval fortress of Rusokastro. Layers of pink waterproof mortar and stone walls, 1.1 metres thick, indicate a storage or reservoir function. The dig yielded silver coins from Tsar Ivan Alexander’s reign, Venetian grosso, and other artefacts, underscoring the site’s role during the 14th‑century Bulgarian‑Byzantine conflicts. Funding from the Bulgarian Council of Ministers and Kameno Municipality enabled the find, which may expand tourism and cultural heritage initiatives.
In late October, archaeologists from the Regional History Museum of Burgas announced the discovery of a 7.60‑metre wide, 1.1‑metre thick building built beside the inner southern wall of the medieval town of Rusokastro, near the Black Sea. The find was uncovered during the final days of the season’s excavation campaign funded by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria and Kameno Municipality.
The structure’s walls are constructed of stone bonded with abundant mortar, and the interior surfaces display a thick layer of pink hydrophobic (waterproof) plaster. Such construction has led scholars to believe that the building served as a water reservoir or a storage facility for food supplies. The archaeologists suggest that this was the ground floor of a larger edifice, with a residential level above, located in the central quarter of the fortress.
Artefacts and Historical Significance
Alongside architectural remains, the dig yielded a significant collection of portable artefacts: silver coins issued during the reign of Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Alexander, Venetian silver grosso coins known as matapans, copper coins, and various other objects. The presence of coins from the 14th‑century Bulgarian‑Byzantine period links the site to a time of intense military and cultural interaction in the region.
According to the Regional History Museum, the material culture uncovered at Rusokastro illustrates the town’s developmental trajectory during the era of historic contests between the Bulgarian and Byzantine empires. The 1332 battle, wherein Tsar Ivan Alexander defeated the Byzantine forces commanded by Emperor Andronicus, is now connected to tangible evidence from the site. The fortress later endured destruction during Ottoman campaigns in 1443, but the medieval layers remain remarkably preserved, offering a window into the past.
The site’s first mention in medieval Greek and Arabic sources, notably by the Arab geographer El Idrisi in his work “Geography of the World,” marks Rusokastro as a significant settlement. Byzantine chroniclers also depicted the town, usually in the context of 14th‑century military events. These literary references now find corroboration through the material record unearthed by the investigators.
Under the stewardship of the Regional History Museum, the discoveries are currently undergoing cleaning and conservation in the museum’s restoration laboratory. Once fully stabilized, the artifacts and architectural remnants will be displayed to aid in promoting cultural tourism and in supporting heritage education across the Republic of Bulgaria.
The announcement by the museum also highlighted that, at the time of the findings, the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture had designated Rusokastro as a priority archaeological site. This status comes with state funds that are intended to support ongoing research and to develop tourism infrastructure that would enable the local communities to benefit directly from the heritage site.
Meanwhile, BurgasMedia’s coverage of the dig echoed the museum’s portrayal of the building’s pink waterproof plaster and the silver coins of Tsar Ivan Alexander, confirming the excavation’s official news bulletin. The report further emphasized the ongoing construction of the protective layer, which is aimed at preserving water‑resistant qualities to guard against infiltration from the Black Sea’s humid environment.
Additionally, the Bannews article, which was published in the same time frame, underscored the large number of portable items uncovered, again citing silver coins from Tsar Ivan Alexander and Venetian silver. It presented a broader picture of the find as part of a wider excavation that aimed at mapping the fortress layout and assessing the extent of the town’s historical layers.
In terms of community impact, the medieval lores of Rusokastro are now anchored by these physical remnants, ensuring that the descendants of those communities in Burgas and broader Bulgaria can witness the continuity of their historical narrative. The combination of state‑funded research, local stewardship by Kameno Municipality, and the committed efforts of regional museum staff underscores a collaborative model that could serve as a template for heritage projects across the country.
Since the initial dig, local historians and villagers have expressed excitement over the potential of the find to attract scholars and visitors, further stimulating the local economy and promoting cross‑cultural dialogue within and beyond the region. As the conservation work progresses, the museum hopes to host seminars and exhibitions that illuminate the 14th‑century life of the fortified settlement, allowing the community to engage directly with their own past.
By bringing medieval material culture into the public sphere, the excavation at Rusokastro not only enriches the academic record but also reinforces a shared sense of identity and continuity among the people of Burgas and the wider Bulgarian nation. The ongoing discoveries are expected to continue enhancing our understanding of the town’s strategic importance during the turbulent era of Bulgarian‑Byzantine contests, providing future historians with more clues to the life and resilience of a once‑flourishing medieval settlement.
