THE PLOCHATA DOLMEN NEAR ZLATOSEL, BULGARIA

Abstract

Bulgaria is extremely rich in prehistoric and historic monuments. Among Bulgaria�s outstanding monuments there are not only the well-known Varna Necropolis and Provadia-Solnitsata ancient salt mining and urban center, but also numerous other megalithic prehistoric monuments. Until now, they have been identified and recognized mainly as alone - standing objects. Current paper focuses on the study carried out in the vicinity of Zlatosel village on the prehistoric site of the Plochata Dolmen. The study indicates that this large area consists of a complex of ancient buildings� ruins and fragments of megalithic structures. The most notable fragment of an ancient complex structure is so-called portal dolmen, which has been adapted for sun observation during much later times, when the monuments of the megalithic culture had already lost their significance. This ancient culture is evidenced not only by numerous ruins of megalithic monuments easily recognizable in a large area (including the northern shore of the lake Dondukovo), but also by many signs and symbols still visible on the exposed surfaces of the natural rock walls and several man-made natural rock formations and their groups. The study reveals that closer attention should be paid also to the shapes given to the individual stone material monoliths and the quality of the surface treatment. This is an important indication not only of the quality of the tools used by the ancient craftsmen, but also of their skills and ability to do their job with sufficient precision.