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| Bulgaria’s Nikyup, Veliko Tarnovo museum seek volunteers for archaeological excavations of ancient Roman city Nicopolis ad Istrum | ||
| Friday, Jan 15, 2016 | ||
| The town of Nikyup in Central North Bulgaria and the Regional Museum of History in the city of Veliko Tarnovo have issued a call for volunteers to aid with the 2016 summer excavations of one of the most glorious Ancient Roman cities in Southeast Europe, Nicopolis ad Istrum. The ruins of Nicopolis ad Istrum, whose name means “Victory City on the Danube River", are located near today’s town of Nikyup, Veliko Tarnovo Municipality, 18 km northwest of the city of Veliko Tarnovo. It was founded by Roman Emperor Marcus Ulpius Traianus (r. 98-117 AD) to honor his victories over the Dacian tribes between 101 and 106 AD (most probably in 102 AD) at the intersection of the two main roads of the Danubian Roman provinces intersected – the road from Odessus (Odessos) on the Black Sea (today’s Varna) to the western parts of the Balkan Peninsula, and the road from the Roman military camp Novae (today’s Svishtov) on the Danube to the southern parts of the Balkan Peninsula. Nicopolis ad Istrum is sometimes described as the birthplace of Germanic literary tradition because in the 4th century AD Gothic bishop Ulfilas (Wulfila) (ca. 311-383 AD) received permission from Roman Emperor Constantius II (r. 324-361 AD) to settle with his flock of Christian converts near Nicopolis ad Istrum in the province of Moesia, in 347-8 AD. There Ulfilas invented the Gothic alphabet and translated the Bible from Greek into Gothic. The Ancient Roman city was destroyed in 447 AD by the barbarian forces of Attila the Hun, even though it might have been abandoned by its residents even before that. It was partly rebuilt as a fortified post of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) in the 6th century AD which in turn was destroyed at the end of the 6th century AD by an Avar invasion. Later, it was settled as a medieval city in the Bulgarian Empire between the 10th and the 14th century. Another view of ancient ruins in Nicopolis. Photo: Veliko Tarnovo Regional Museum of History Another view of ancient ruins in Nicopolis. Photo: Veliko Tarnovo Regional Museum of History The initiative to invite volunteers from Bulgaria and all over the world to help with the 2016 summer excavations of Nicopolis ad Istrum has come from lead archaeologist Assoc. Prof. Pavlina Vladkova from the Veliko Tarnovo Regional Museum of History, and Nikyup Mayor Yordanka Atanasova, reports local newspaper Yantra Dnes. The archaeological excavations of the vast Roman city of Nicopolis ad Istrum have been progressing at a very modest pace in the recent years because the digs are constantly underfunded by the Bulgarian government. For example, in 2015, the local archaeologists needed at least BGN 40,000 (app. EUR 22,400) for their planned excavations in Nicopolis ad Istrum but they got only BGN 15,000 (app. EUR 7,700) from the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture. Bulgarian and international volunteers are expected to help with their labor with logistical support from the local authorities in Nikyup. The contribution to the archaeological exploration of the Roman city of Nicopolis ad Istrum is supposed to be seen as an inspiring form of alternative tourism. Unfortunately, however, because of the lack of funding, the volunteers will be expected to provide for their living expenses such as food. Nikyup Mayor Yordanka Atanasova says she has emailed the call for volunteers to over 2,000 student organizations and travel agencies in Bulgaria and abroad. She adds that at the present pace, the archaeological excavations of Nicopolis ad Istrum will take at least 100 years, and with the lack of government funding, volunteers can be a major asset for the further study of the Roman city. The first volunteers that have signed up for helping with 2016 summer digs are Bulgarians and British expats living in the region of Veliko Tarnovo. In addition to the excavations, the volunteers will have the opportunity to enjoy Nikyup’s annual Water Melon Festival, a Parade of Vintage Vehicles, and other events that usually draw visitors from Bulgaria and abroad over the summer. Unfortunately, the Roman city of Nicopolis ad Istrum remains a largely unknown destination for cultural tourism. Recent data has shown that in 2015, it was visited by fewer than 4,000 tourists, a number which is nonetheless an increase compared with previous years. The archaeological exploration of Nicopolis ad Istrum first started in 1900, while the presently ongoing excavation efforts were restarted in 2007. Read more about the Roman city in the Background Infonotes below! “This year the exploration will continue with excavations of the main square of the city, and, if there is funding, there will be a final study of the [ancient] water reservoir," Ivan Tsarov, Director of the Veliko Tarnovo Regional Museum of History, has told the Trud daily. Anyone seeking to join the 2016 summer excavations of Nicopolis ad Istrum in Central North Bulgaria as a volunteer should email lead archaeologist Assoc. Prof. Pavlina Vladkova, who is in charge of the applicants’ selection, at pavlina_v[@]hotmail.com by the end of May 2016! |
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| Source: archaeologyinbulgaria.com | ||
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