50 Ancient Arrow, Spear Tips Planted, Charged Bulgarian Businessman Claims
A collection of a total of 50 ancient iron arrow and spear tips, which has brought about a criminal charge against prominent Bulgarian businessman Plamen Bobokov, had been planted in his home, Bobokov himself has alleged at the start of…
50 Ancient Iron Arrow, Spear Tips Lead to Criminal Charge against Bulgarian Businessman
The District Prosecutor’s Office in the Danube city of Ruse in Northeast Bulgaria has charged prominent businessman Plamen Bobokov with the illegal possession of archaeological artifacts over a total of 50 pieces of ancient weaponry, namely iron arrow and spear…
Archaeologists Unearth Burgus (Tower Fort) in Lesser Known Roman Danube Fortress Bulldozed by Treasure Hunters in Northwest Bulgaria
Archaeologists have exposed what was a burgus, a Late Roman Era tower fort, or a centrally located tower inside Pomodiana, a little known but massive Late Roman and Early Byzantine Fortress on the Danube River in today’s Northwest Bulgaria, which,…
8 Years after Theft of St. John the Baptist Relics in Bulgaria’s Sliven, Finder Laments Unresolved Case
The case of the theft of a particle from the holy relics of St. John the Baptist committed in the city of Sliven back in 2012, less than 2 years after the relics’ discovery on a Black Sea island, has…
Vast Artifact Collection Seized from Exiled Oligarch to Be Appraised by German, Italian Experts, Bulgaria’s Prosecution Says
The very large and rich collection counting thousands of Antiquity archaeological artifacts, many of them gold and silver Ancient Thracian vessels, which has been seized from Bulgarian businessman Vasil Bozhkov, oftentimes described in media as an oligarch, is intact and…
3 Treasure Hunters Nabbed in North Bulgaria, 2 in South Bulgaria in Random Police Checks
A total of 5 treasure hunters have been arrested in two different regions of Bulgaria during random police checks.
3 Treasure Hunters Get Suspended Sentences for Raiding Archaeological Sites in Southwest Bulgaria
Three treasure hunters from Southwest Bulgaria have received minor suspended sentences for raiding archaeological sites in the region back in 2016.
Fundraising for ‘Rescue’ of 7 Stolen ‘Royal’ Icons under Way in Bulgaria’s Burgas
The Regional Museum of History in Bulgaria’s Burgas and the local bureau of the Bulgarian National Radio have launched a campaign to raise money for the restoration of a total of 7 large “royal” icons which were recovered from thieves…
Dozens of Icons Stolen in 4 Robberies of 3 Churches in Ruse District in Northeast Bulgaria
A total of three churches in small towns have been robbed in the Ruse District in Northeast Bulgaria, with the thieves stealing icons, among other religious artifacts.
Trafficking Channel from Bulgaria to UK, Western Europe Busted, 4,600 Plundered Artifacts Seized
The Bulgarian and the British police have arrested a total of 9 people for running a trafficking channel for the illegal exports of antiques and archaeological artifacts plundered by treasure hunters in Bulgaria.
3 Species of Treasure Hunters Are Destroying Archaeology in Bulgaria’s ‘Plunder Paradise’ worth up to USD 1 Billion a Year, New Book Reveals
Three “species” of treasure hunters dubbed “diggers”, “yuppies” and “super experts”, whose a total number is in the low six figures, are destroying the world archaeology and history heritage found in Bulgaria in a criminal industry worth up to 1…
46-Year-Old Treasure Hunter Suffocates in Makeshift Shaft during Search Gold Treasure in Northeast Bulgaria
A treasure hunter who was part of a group of three looters has died of suffocation after descending into a 12-meter-deep makeshift shaft while searching for a mythical gold treasure near the town of Prolaz, Targovishte Municipality, in Northeast Bulgaria.
Treasure Hunters Expose Necropolis of Burial Mounds after Their Arrest in Southern Bulgaria
Two treasure hunters have been arrested while digging near a chapel in Southern Bulgaria leading the archaeologists examining the site to discover that the looters had actually exposed a necropolis of ancient burial mounds.
New Board Game Pits Archaeologists against Treasure Hunters in Archaeological Sites All across Bulgaria
A new board entitled “Archaeologists vs. Treasure Hunters”, which pits the two groups against one another on a map featuring some of Bulgaria’s most remarkable archaeological sites, has been developed and released by a group of archaeologists.
Treasure Hunters Found 5th Century BC Thracian King’s Burial worth USD 60 Million Back in 2002, Report Says
One of the largest hits ever of the numerous treasure hunters active across Bulgaria was the discovery back in 2002 of the burial of an Ancient Thracian King from the 5th century BC whose funeral inventory was sold of USD…
Bulgarian Archaeologists Tracking Treasure Hunters’ Raids Using Google Maps, Google Earth
Some Bulgarian archaeologists have found a novel way of tackling the damage done to the country’s tremendous archaeological heritage on a daily basis by ruthless treasure hunters by using Google Maps and Google Earth, an archaeologist reveals.
2 Treasure Hunters Rescued from Self-made Mine in Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains, Hospitalized in Critical Condition
Two treasure hunters who had dug up an entire underground gallery in Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains have been rescued and hospitalized in critical condition in the southern city of Plovdiv.
Bulgaria’s Police Seize 95 Archaeological Artifacts from ‘Organized Crime’ Treasure Hunters
Bulgaria’s police have announced they have cracked down on an organized crime group dealing with treasure hunting and trafficking of antiques, and have seized a total of 95 archaeological artifacts dug up illegally.
Large Medieval Gold Treasure Found by Accident by Police, Seized from Treasure Hunters in Bulgaria’s Kazanlak
A large medieval gold treasure consisting of adornments made of the precious metal and semi-precious stones has been discovered by accident by the police in the town of Kazanlak in Central Bulgaria inside the car of what appear to be…
Roman Woman’s Bronze Statuette, 300 More Artifacts Seized from Treasure Hunters Showcased in Exhibition in Bulgaria’s Pazardzhik
A total of 300 archaeological artifacts from different ages, including a 2nd-3rd century AD Ancient Roman bronze figurine of a woman, which have been seized from treasure hunters in Bulgaria’s southern Pazardzhik District, have been showcased in a special exhibition…
Bulgarian, Turkish Man Sentenced in Shumen for Trafficking Roman Artifacts from Middle East
A Bulgarian and a Turkish citizen have confessed their guilt in the smuggling of dozens of Ancient Roman artifacts, and possibly a Sumerian slab, after their arrest in a police operation almost two years ago generated international interest.
Archaeologists Discover Italian Red Pottery, First Doric Capital in Looted Ancient Roman City Ratiaria in Northwest Bulgaria
Red pottery (terra sigillata) imported from the Italian Peninsula and for the first time a Doric capital have been discovered by archaeologists during the brief and underfunded 2016 excavations of the Ancient Roman city of Ratiaria in Northwest Bulgaria, an…
Suspected Arson by Treasure Hunters Destroys Ruins of Glorious Roman City Ulpia Oescus near Bulgaria’s Gigen
The ruins of Ulpia Oescus, a colony of Ancient Rome and one of the most important Roman cities in today’s Bulgaria, whose ruins are located near Gigen, Pleven District, in Northern Bulgaria, have been badly damaged by two fires, apparently…
Authorities Seek to Reassure Archaeologists of Policing of Utterly Looted Ancient Roman City Ratiaria
Local authorities and the police in the Vidin District in Northwest Bulgaria have sought to reassure of their policing efforts the archaeologists working on the excavation of the huge Ancient Roman city of Ratiaria, an archaeological site which has been…
5 Treasure Hunters Arrested While ‘Trenching’ Late Antiquity Settlement with Tractor near Bulgaria’s Petarnitsa
A group of five treasure hunters has been arrested on the spot while plowing a field where a Late Antiquity and early medieval settlement was located near the town of Petarnitsa, Pleven District, in Northern Bulgaria, in order to extract archaeological…
Bulgaria’s Dimovo to Finally Build Open-air Museum of Ratiaria – Huge Ancient Roman Danube Colony Obliterated by Looters
The Town Council of Dimovo Municipality on the Danube in Northwest Bulgaria has voted to establish an open-air museum at the Ancient Roman colony Ratiaria, a huge Roman arsenal city which has been brutally destroyed by treasure hunters over the…
Police Seize over 400 Archaeological Artifacts from Treasure Hunter in Northwest Bulgaria
Over 400 archaeological artifacts acquired through illegal excavations have been seized from a treasure hunter by the police in the town of Slatina, Berkovitsa Municipality, Montana District, in Northwest Bulgaria.
Stolen Thracian-Roman Silver Mask Helmet Restored, Showcased in Bulgaria’s Plovdiv 21 Years after Theft
A very rare Thracian-Roman mask helmet made of iron and silver, which was stolen in a brazen museum robbery back in 1995, and was recovered by the Bulgarian intelligence in 2015, has now been restored and showcased once again at…
4 Newly Found Busts of Ancient Roman Emperors, Empresses Acquired by Bulgaria’s National Museum of History
A total of four newly discovered busts of Ancient Roman emperors and empresses have made their way to Bulgaria’s National Museum of History in Sofia, which has swiftly showcased them in a new exhibition.
Police Bust Treasure Hunters with 400 Archaeological Artifacts from Ancient Roman City Ulpia Oescus in Northern Bulgaria
A total 387 archaeological artifacts have been seized from two men residing near the Ancient Roman city of Ulpia Oescus by the police in Pleven District in Northern Bulgaria.
Treasure Hunters Get Away with Suspended Sentences in High Profile Trial in Bulgaria’s Pazardzhik
Three men have been found guilty of treasure hunting and antiques trafficking in a high profile trial in the southern Bulgarian city of Pazardzhik but have gotten away with suspended sentences.
Police Arrest 3 Men for Illegal Possession of Archaeological Artifacts in Bulgaria’s Nova Zagora
Three men with criminal records have been arrested for the illegal possession of archaeological artifacts, as well as drugs and firearms, in the southern Bulgarian town of Nova Zagora.
Bulgarian, Greek Treasure Hunting Gang Busted by Border Police
A gang of Bulgarian and Greek treasure hunters has been arrested near the town of Huhla, Ivaylovgrad Municipality, in Southern Bulgaria.
2 Treasure Hunters Arrested While Destroying Ancient Roman City Ratiaria near Bulgaria’s Archar
Two treasure hunters have been arrested in the latest reported encroachment against the ruins of the once glorious Ancient Roman colony Ratiaria (Colonia Ulpia Traiana Ratiaria) located on the right bank of the Danube near the town of Archar in…
Bulgaria’s Police Donates 14th Century Silver Icon to National Museum of History
A 14th century silver icon of Jesus Christ from the time of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396) has been donated to Bulgaria’s National Museum of History in Sofia by the Bulgarian police.
