Unveiling the Ancient Goldsmiths of the Varna Necropolis: A Hidden Prehistoric Powerhouse

Gold, which has always fascinated mankind, still rules the world today. Its rarity and fascination make it a symbol of value, dignity and power. Our obsession with gold goes back much further than previously thought, with its roots in the ancient Varna civilization, as revealed by key archaeological discoveries in the 1970s.

Discovering the Varna Necropolis: A Serendipitous Encounter

The industrial center of Varna, Bulgaria’s third largest city, is home to the Varna Necropolis (also known as the Varna Cemetery). The site is an important prehistoric archaeological site, dating back to 4,600 BC. BC, that is, before the dynasty of Egypt, the oldest civilization in the Old World.

This remarkable site was discovered by chance in 1972 by excavator operator Raicho Malinov. Little did he know that he had found the key to our distant past. The site was soon studied by historians Mikhail Lazarov and Ivan Ivanov, who recognized its value and conducted extensive excavations.

Unearthing the Treasure: The Birthplace of Goldsmithing

Their excavations yielded amazing results. They unearthed nearly 300 tombs filled with over 22,000 precious artifacts. More than 3,000 of them were made of gold and weighed over 6 kg. The cemetery held countless other valuable relics, including copper, flint tools, jewelry, pottery, obsidian blades and beads.

One tomb, in particular his 43rd tomb, contained excessive gold even by site standards. It is believed to be the resting place of a high-ranking person, possibly a leader or ruler of the ancient Varna civilization, and scepters and large amounts of gold are attested to be buried there.

Deciphering the Past: The Hidden Power of Varna

The sheer amount of gold was a thrill, but the real value of this cemetery is the glimpse into the long-forgotten civilization of Varna. This civilization was not insignificant, it was a high society, even older than the famous empires of Mesopotamia and Egypt.

necropolis show that goldsmithing began between 4600 BC and he 4200 BC. Varna became the first civilization known to work with gold. Artisans of Varna quickly mastered metallurgy, and their civilization prospered through their skill and craftsmanship.

This newfound mastery of gold presented Varna with a valuable trade commodity, leading to increased communications and the establishment of trade routes in both the Black Sea region and the Mediterranean. This influx of wealth spurred societal changes, resulting in the rise of a wealthy class of metallurgists, followed by merchants, with farmers at the bottom of the societal hierarchy.

A Fortuitous Discovery with Profound Implications

The Varna Necropolis emphasizes the important role accidental discoveries have played in shaping our understanding of history. This revealed a previously unknown civilization and how Varna had a significant impact on early European history through the gold trade.

The Varna civilization demonstrates the power of gold and how it has been transformed into a powerful economic and political tool, promoting social development. Doing so will provide valuable insight into the early days of human civilization and its interaction with this precious element.