Big Kosmatka

        ‘Big Kosmatka’, near Shipka town, is one of the biggest mounds on the Balkan peninsula. The names of the two mounds – big and small “Kosmatka” come from the big oak trees, which have covered them. The structure of ‘Big Kosmatka’ consists of three chambers.

        In the first, rectangular, with round vault, was discovered a sacrificed horse.

        The second is round, with arch-shaped roof. On the entrance was discovered a marble door, adorned with human images and plastic ornaments colored in blue and red.

        The third chamber’s entrance is blocked with a stone wall. The whole chamber looks like a sarcophagus with a ritual bed for a Thracian ruler modeled in it.

        A very interesting object is the gold wreath with oak leaves and breechnuts. It has a very wide diameter – about forty-five (45) centimeters and couldn’t be put even on the biggest human head.

        Other precious objects are the two utensils made of alabaster and the leaned climax next to them. The climax is with an exquisite body, two elegant handles, bright smooth surface and decoration of vegetal ornaments on the inside and on the bottom. On the bottom is engraved the star of Vergina.

        The most ancient and original object ever found in a Thracian tomb is placed next to the climax – a copy of a Mediterranean shell. Eleven rosettes with many leaves made of silver, playing the role of legs, were attached to the shell foundation.

        Another unique work of ancient Greek art, found in ‘Big Kosmatka’, is a bronze head. It is a real-sized head of a bearded man, with eyes made of semiprecious stones. This unique discovery dates back from the second half of V century B.C.

        One of the most precious graves, full of treasures is the mound ‘Big Kosmatka’.

        We can say that discovering the grave, archaeologists came to a higher point of their investigating work.