Exciting Discovery in Bulgaria
Archaeologists in Bulgaria were thrilled to uncover a remarkable find in an ancient Roman sewer recently. A stunning marble statue, towering over a man in height, was unexpectedly revealed during their excavation.
Lyudmil Vagalinski, the scientific director of the project, expressed the team’s astonishment, stating, “We found it by accident. It was amazing. A whole statue appeared in front of us.”
The discovery has the potential to shed light on the struggles faced by the people of the region, present-day Bulgaria, in preserving their beliefs amidst the spread of Christianity in the ancient world. The sewer where the statue was found may have served as a clandestine refuge for pagans seeking to safeguard the imposing figure from zealous Christians known to deface statues of pagan gods.
Remarkably, the statue remains largely intact, with no visible damage to its face or head, unlike many other pagan artifacts that were destroyed during that period. Dr. Vagalinski remarked, “It’s a miracle that it survived.”
During a routine excavation near the village of Rupite, situated close to Bulgaria’s border with Greece, the team made the serendipitous discovery. The scorching summer weather did not deter their excitement as they uncovered the marble fragments piece by piece. Starting with a foot, then intricate carvings on the toenails, the statue gradually emerged – legs, torso, and finally, a captivating head.
