Karanovo Settlement Mound

The Karanovo settlement mound is a major archaeological site with rich historical finds spanning the Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze Age. The foundations of dwellings and numerous artefacts provide valuable information about the life, economy and culture of the region's prehistoric population.

The significance of the Karanovo settlement mound and its associated Karanovo chronological system lies in their contribution not only to understanding the history of southern Bulgaria, but also to placing prehistoric developments in the broader context of Central and Southeastern Europe, western Asia Minor and the eastern Mediterranean.

The clay tablets discovered with inscribed signs are a unique archaeological feature, considered to bear some of the oldest known written signs in Europe. This strengthens the site's importance for the study of ancient cultures and the development of writing.

The excavations and finds from the Karanovo settlement mound form an important part of Bulgaria's cultural heritage and contribute to our understanding of the region's long history.