Golyama Arsenalka

The Golyama Arsenalka mound contains a Thracian cult building in the Valley of the Thracian Rulers. Discovered by Georgi Kitov, this tomb occupies an important place among Thracian domed tombs. It consists of a domed chamber and a rectangular antechamber with a pitched roof, framed by a monumental façade. The entire tomb is built of high-quality granite blocks.

According to Georgi Kitov, the Golyama Arsenalka mound was raised in the late 5th century BC, and a tomb-mausoleum was subsequently built within it in the 4th century BC. It is exceptionally well preserved and is one of Bulgaria's best-constructed stone domed tombs. The tomb has the shape of a regular truncated cone with a circular platform at the top, 10 metres in diameter.

Archaeological investigation of the mound began in 1995 after three treasure hunters' trenches were recorded on its northwestern edge. Preliminary trial trenches and geophysical measurements were undertaken before excavation began. On the basis of the discoveries, archaeologists concluded that the tomb-mausoleum had been built into an existing burial mound.

The construction of the tomb involved stone blocks, some taken from the mound itself. A rudimentary wall was built as a casing around the tomb, and the mound was restored. The tomb was constructed on the southeastern edge of the mound, facing south.

Investigations show that the Golyama Arsenalka tomb passed through several phases. First, the mound was raised; then part of it was removed and the tomb-mausoleum was built. In the third phase, access to the tomb was closed off and a rudimentary blocking wall was erected in front of the entrance and façade. In the fourth phase, the tomb was empty, and archaeologists believe that it had been robbed. Nevertheless, artefacts were found in the first chamber, where horse bones had been scattered, while the floor of the domed chamber contained gold and silver appliqués, fragments of bronze wire and other valuables. These artefacts indicate a rich burial, but the tomb was robbed in antiquity.