Tomb of Seuthes III

Golyama Kosmatka is a Thracian burial mound 1 km south of Shipka, Bulgaria. It is one of the rare preserved and unbroken Thracian tombs, probably belonging to Seuthes III.

Golyama Kosmatka is among the largest mounds in Thrace, reaching a height of 23 m and a diameter of 130 m. The structure was built on a previously raised mound, approached by a broad avenue. It includes a corridor, or dromos, thirteen metres long and three successive chambers. The first is rectangular and contains a horse skeleton. The second is circular with a domed roof and a marble door decorated with relief panels depicting Helios and the Gorgon Medusa. The third is a monolithic granite block, a sarcophagus weighing approximately sixty tonnes, with a hollowed-out burial chamber and a shaped stone couch.

Archaeological finds:

Grave assemblages I and II: These include a gold wreath, wine vessels, items of weaponry, horse-harness ornaments, glass gaming pieces and personal grooming objects.

Human remains: Interestingly, no human remains were found apart from three unburnt teeth belonging to an individual aged ten to twelve, scattered in the circular chamber.

Bronze head: A bronze head of a middle-aged man was discovered, probably a portrait of Seuthes III. Research indicates that the statue was made by sculptors from the Kazanlak area.

Sealing the tomb:

After the grave goods were deposited, a ritual involving a horse was performed, and the marble door to the second chamber was broken up and used to block the entrances to the first two chambers. The corridor was set alight and filled with stones and soil.

The Thracian mound offers many archaeological treasures and substantial information about Thracian culture, particularly in the fourth–third century BC. According to some theories, it may be associated with the Thracian ruler Seuthes III.