ROMAN VILLA UNEARTHED NEAR BLACK SEA

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6801, 3 January 1929, Page 2

ROMAN VILLA UNEARTHED NEAR BLACK SEA

GIGANTIC FIGURE OF HORSEMAN UNCOVERED. SOFIA. Old Roman rains, probably dating from the first century AD. have just been unearthed near Madara, the ancient capital of Bulgaria, which is situated not far from Varna, a port on the Black Sea. During the course of many years peasants havo been finding in this area interesting relics, plainly dating from ancient times, but no society nor individual until now has been in a position to do any excavating. Last fall, however, after a group of excavators directed by Bulgaria’s leading archaeologist had finished work on the site of Bulgaria 's first capital, uncovering a very striking stone horseman of gigantic size, they took up -work in the adjoining field, where the old Roman relics have so frequently been, found, and discovered tho foundations of what is thought to have been a large Roman villa. It seems to have contained several rooms, large corridors, hot and cold baths and viaducts running to s-prings nearby. It was probably inhabited by tho commander of the Roman garrison stationed at that place. Imprints on bricks that have been dug out indicato that they date from tho time of Emperor Claudius. At the beginning of the second century he carried on a campaign against the Dacians, who lived in what is now Rumania, and his headquarters were at Borostorium or Silistra, a flourishing city on the Danube, which the Rumanians took away from the Bulgarians 15 years ago. There were garrisons at several other places in tho land that is now Bulgaria and the Romans built roads which still servo as Bulgarian highways, though most of the old paving 'is completely gone. During the course of this recent excavation many fragments of ancient vases were discovered, which are fashioned after a type that was very popular during the time of the great Roman emperors. They are red, represent Agues of domestic scenes and are said to be very beautiful. It was after the "barbarians" had crossed the Danube and broken the power of the Romans that the Bulgarians formed their &rst kingdom.