A műemlékek sokszínűsége (A 28. Egri Nyári Egyetem előadásai 1998 Eger, 1998)

Előadások / Presentations - Svetla KOINOVA METCHKUEVA: Two thracian tombs in Bulgaria entered in the world heritage list

SVETLA KOINOVA-METCHKUEVA TWO THRACIAN TOMBS IN BULGARIA ENTERED IN THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST The presentation of two of the Thracian tombs found in Bulgaria - the one near Kazanluk and the other one near the village of Sveshtari (both of which are entered in the World Heritage List) is a suitable occasion to emphasise the specific characteristics of Thracian culture that make it a unique phenomenon in the Hellenistic world. Building on the achievements of the highly developed civilisations of those times, Thracian culture preserved its identiy and specific features, and reached a high level of development itself. During the period under consideration (3rd to 4th century BC) rich Thracians, who were also famous military commanders, were buried in architecturally designed tombs, and not in graves. It is interesting to note that in spite of the obvious differences (e. g. the utilisation of completely differnt construction materials) all the tombs refelct the aesthetic views of the Hellenistic tendencies that begin to spread in the 3rd to 4th century BC. Another typical feature that is common for all of them, is the true-to-life representation of the specific religious beliefs, lifestyle and customs that were typical of the Thracians. According to a large number of researchers, the Thracians deeply believed that life on earth was just a prelude to life after death. While the ancient Greek's religious notion of life after death was reduced to wandering shadows, the Thracians had a very clear and definite philosophy about it. This is confirmed by the objects and paintings found during the excavations of the tombs, and also by the traces of offerings and sacrifices outside the tombs. There is evidence that the burial rite was accompanied by manifestations of joy and festivity. Studies show that together with the deceased were buried his wife and beloved horses. Studies of the construction methoé which were used for the building of sepulchres on the territories inhabited by different Thracian tribes depict an exceptionally variegated and multiform picture. Differences between some of the excavated Thracian tombs are so big that they provoke a genuine, well-founded interest on the part of researchers. An enticing uniting feature of all the necropolises which were found so far, is that they are all situated under tumuli. The influence of Asia Minor is felt in the tombs where bricks are the basic building material. These burials have nothing in common with the ancient Greek ones from the point of view of their composition; to some extent, one can discern the architectural systems of the Egyptian pyramids and the Assyrian and Babylonian siccurates which had penetrated through Asia Minor but had acquired here some original features. They are characterised by a triangular, beehive-shaped and terraced design of the cupola and of the entrances, respectively. In the region of the Thracian town of Sevtopolis, which was discovered near Kazanluk (the only one, fully studied Thracian urban settlement in Bulgaria, whose construction was similar to that of the Greek polis - and which was unfortunately buried under a dam), were found more than 14 burials all of which weie built of bricks. Most probably it is a specific local feature of tomb architecture that is typical of the region. In other regions the tombs are built of stone and, consequently, the architectural forms are entirely different. Some of them possess original cylindrical arcs with curve-pieces: hence, as far back as in the 4th century BC the Thracians knew how to use the technique of curve-pieces to build semicylindrical and round arcs and hemispheric domes. The excellent chiselling technique clearly testifies of a Hellenistic influence.