Harman Kaya Prehistoric Complex

Harman Kaya is an exceptionally large prehistoric rock-cut cult complex near the hamlets of Abitsa and Gasak, within the lands of Bivolyane village in Momchilgrad Municipality. Also known as Raven Kamak, or Flat Rock, this site is one of the largest in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains. To date, the complex has not undergone systematic archaeological and geophysical investigation. Harman Kaya lies within the Nanovitsa volcanic caldera and features a variety of rock formations, including sheer cliffs to the southwest, south and east. The massif is crossed by the valley of Karabedik Dere, and the rocks of which it consists are intermediate tuffs and tuffites, light in colour with a reddish tinge. Multicoloured opals, chalcedonies and agates occur in the gorge beside the river. Harman Kaya has been partially investigated, and various authors identify it as an ancient Thracian site. Professor Vasil Mikov recorded it in 1941, stating that the remains of 'the largest Thracian town' could be seen at its foot. Investigations indicate that the rock-cut features belong to the Chalcolithic, while the pottery dates from between the 6th and 1st centuries BC.