Durankulak Necropolis

The Neolithic and Chalcolithic necropolis at Durankulak is one of southeastern Europe's largest, with 1,200 graves excavated. Situated in Dobruja, this archaeological site is an important source of information about the burial practices, rituals and social structures of the region's prehistoric societies.
The necropolis encompasses several periods: the Late Neolithic Hamangia I–II culture, the Early Chalcolithic Hamangia III–IV culture, the Late Chalcolithic Varna culture, the transition from the Chalcolithic to the Early Bronze Age, and ancient and medieval periods. It was investigated from 1976 to 1990 by Professor Henrieta Todorova, Kiril Botov and Todor Dimov, with archaeologists and specialists from various countries participating, including Bulgaria, Russia, Germany and other European countries.
More than 1,200 burials have been discovered at Durankulak, providing archaeological finds from the Hamangia and Varna cultures. Gold ornaments similar to those from the Varna Necropolis were found in the burials. The gold finds at Durankulak are considered earlier than those at Varna, making them Europe's earliest worked gold objects.
Study of the necropolis's material provides important information about burial customs, rites and the social structure of prehistoric communities in Dobruja. The site plays a key role in understanding different cultures and periods in the region's history. Finds from Durankulak Necropolis are displayed in the permanent exhibitions of the Regional Museum of History in Dobrich and the National Museum of History in Sofia.