Papers by Henrieta Todorova
Die überregionalen komplexen Gemeinschaft en, Kulturblöcke und ökologischen Krisen in der Urgeschichte im Raum der unteren Donau (VII-I Jahrtausend v. Chr.) , 2011
Kulturblöcke und ökologischen Krisen
Dutankulak,Band-II.2-Plans-A1, 2002
Durankulak, BAND II. Die prähistorischen Gräberfelder. TEIL 1 Textteil. editor: H. Todorova, 2002
Dudankulak, BAND II. Die prähistorischen Gräberfelder. TEIL 2 Katalogteil. editor: H. Todorova, 2002
Durankulak, BAND II. Die prähistorischen Gräberfelder. TEIL 2 Katalogteil. editor: H. Todorova, 2002
Todorova, H. 2011. Die überregionalen komplexen Gemeinschaften, Kulturblöcke und ökologischen Krisen in der Urgeschichte im Raum der unteren Donau (VII-I Jahrtausend v. Chr.). - STUDIA PRAEHISTORICA 14, 2011, 2011
Todorova, H. (2016). Klimawandel und Kulturkollaps., 2016
Documenta Praehistorica, 2009
The Neolithic cultures of the country turned continuously into the Eneolithic ones. The latter ex... more The Neolithic cultures of the country turned continuously into the Eneolithic ones. The latter experienced an incredible prosperity during the second half of the 5th millenium B.C. when there appeared the earliest metalurgy centre in the world; this centre was formed within the territories of the Balkan Peninsula. At the end of the 5th millenium the culmination of the climatic maximum caused a heavy global ecological crisis of which the Eneolithic population becomes a victim. This causes a deep and long-lasting pause in the prehistorie development not only of this country but of the whole region — a sircumstance that has very rarely been taken into consideration.
Neolithic cultures in Bulgaria. (original title: Neolitnite kulturi v Balgaria. - In: H. Todorova and I. Vajsov. Novokamennata epoha v Balgaria (kraja na sedmoto-sestoto heljadoletie predi novata era). Sofia 1993, 94–147), 1994
In this chapter, the book is presented on the development of Neolithic cultures in Bulgaria. This... more In this chapter, the book is presented on the development of Neolithic cultures in Bulgaria. This is the period between 6400 and 4800 years cal BC. In chapter four the Neolithic cultures from Bulgaria are presented. Their areas cover certain geographical niches. In western Bulgaria the Early Neolithic is presented by the West Bulgarian Painted Ceramics culture, and the Late Neolithic by the Kourilo culture which is the western variant of the Vinča culture. In Thrace, the Early Neolithic Karanovo culture is replaced by the Late Neolithic Kalojanovets culture. In the Rhodopes mountains, the local variant Rakitovo of the Karanovo I culture (Rakitovo) is a representative of the Early Neolithic. In Central-Northern and North-Eastern Bulgaria, the Early Neolithic culture Ovcharovo (EBN-B) turns into the Late Neolithic Hotnitsa culture. In the Kamchija area the Early Neolithic culture Tsonevo develops into the Late Neolithic culture Oussoe. In Dobrougea and along the Black sea coast there is no Early Neolithic predecessor of the Hamangia culture.
This chapter attempts to reconstruct the number of Neolithic population of Bulgaria which was abo... more This chapter attempts to reconstruct the number of Neolithic population of Bulgaria which was about 70,000 to 90,000 people. The question of the connection of these people with the Indo-Europeans is considered and a conclusion is drawn that there could not have been an immediate link between them. Most probably the Indo-European Linguistic group came into existence much more later and beyond the territories of the Fertile Crescent; the Fertile Crescent population itself could have existed only before the appearance of the Indo-European group.
Neolithic Settlement Promachon-Topolnica. Reports and other articles from the archaeological excavations in sector Topolnica (Bulgaria) and sector Promachon (Greеce) for the period 1980-2003.
The Promachonas/ Topolnica a Settlement: Programe for Greek-Bulgarian Co-operation. - Archaeological Work on Macedonia and Thrace, 10B, 1997, 1997
The Promachonas/Topolnica a Setlement: Programe for Greek-Bulgarian Co-operation. - Δέκα χρόνια αρχαιολογικό έργο στη Μακεδονία και Θράκη (Tessaloniki 1997), 123-127 , 1997
Χ. Κουκούλη-Χρυσανθάκη, H. Todorova, I. Ασλάνης, I. Vajsov, Μ. Βάλλα. Γεωφυσική έρευνα και αρχαιολογική πραγματικότηταστον νεολιθικό οικισμό Προμαχών-Topolniča. - In: E. Stefani, N. Merousis, A. Dimoula (eds.). A Century of Researchin Prehistoric Macedonia 1912-2012. Thessaloniki 2014, 251-260 , 2014
The neolithic settlement Promachon-Topolnica extends over both sides of the Greek-Bulgarian borde... more The neolithic settlement Promachon-Topolnica extends over both sides of the Greek-Bulgarian border at the pyramid 63. The boundary line divides the settlement into two areas, a Greek (sector Promachon) and a Bulgarian (sector Topolnica). According to the spreading of ceramics in the area, it seemed to cover an area of ca. 40 hectares. However, recent geophysical investigations in the Bulgarian sector Topolnica caused a reassessment of the extent of the settlement. The site has been investigated in the years 1980-2003, 1980 to 1991 in the sector Topolnica and 1992 until 2003 in the sector Promachon. In the years 1995, 1996, 2002, 2010 and 2011 geophysical investigations took place.
In the earlier occupation phase 1 (5320-5070 BC) the settlement is surrounded by an oval earthen wall with diameters 100 and 60 m respectively and has an expansion of just 0,6 hectare. The buildings inside are semi subterranean. Their material probably served to the construction of the surrounding earth wall.
According to the finds, this phase is divided into an early stage (1a), which is characterised by the presence of ceramics decorated with bitum and generally by elements of the Vinča culture. The second stage (1b) is characterised by the presence of the painted pottery of the Akropotamos style and generally by the growing influence of the South.
During the next occupation phase 2 (5070-4700 BC) the settlement extents to a wider area. In the periphery of the eastern settlement part, the Bulgarian sector Topolnica, traces of a palisade are revealed, which probably replaced the earthwall at that part. At the same phase should belong the earthwall, which was detected west of the Greek excavation area. In this case, the settlement with diameter 260 and 80 m respectively acquired a greater area of approximately 2.1 hectares. Inside the settlement the semi subterranean houses of the previous phase are filled with deposits and transformed into ground floors houses.
On the next stage of this settlement phase (phase 2b) belongs the house 1 of the Bulgarian sector Topolnica. The kind, the co-existence and the arrangement of the findings refer to a sanctuary. In the settlement phase 2 traces of early mining and processing of copper are detected, as suggested by the metallurgical facilities with a melting pot found in situ. In 4700 BC the settlement Promachon-Topolnica was abandoned.
Later, in the settlement phase 3 (4460-4250 BC) the place was inhabited by a small group of people. Typical of this phase is the ceramic painted inside and out with graphite and the incised ceramic of the type Maritza I.
B. Weninger, E. Alram-Stern, E. Bauer, L. Clare, U. Danzeglocke, O. Jöris, C. Kubatzki, G. Rollefson, H. Todorova, T. van Andel 2007.Abrupt Climate Forcing Observed at Early Neolithic Sites in South-East Europe and the Near East. - In: The Struma/Strymon River Valley in Prehistory, 7-20.
Todorova, H. 2007. Die paleoklimatische Entwicklung in VII–I Jt. vor Chr. - In: H. Todorova, M. Stefanivic and G. Ivanov (eds.). The Struma/Strymon River Valley in Prehistory. In The Steps of James Harvey Gaul, Vol. 2 (Sofia, 2007), 1-6., 2007
Todorova, H. Zwei gravierende ökologische Krisen in der Postgatialzeit. –In: Studies in Honor of Hayat Erkanal. Cultural Reflections, Hayat Erkanal’a Armagan: Kültürelerin Yansıması, Istanbul 2006, 731–738., 2006
Todorova, H. “Urgeschichte” und nationale Ideologien? Dialogues d‘histoire ancienne 30/1, Besançone-Cedex 2004, 105–110., 2004
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Papers by Henrieta Todorova
In the earlier occupation phase 1 (5320-5070 BC) the settlement is surrounded by an oval earthen wall with diameters 100 and 60 m respectively and has an expansion of just 0,6 hectare. The buildings inside are semi subterranean. Their material probably served to the construction of the surrounding earth wall.
According to the finds, this phase is divided into an early stage (1a), which is characterised by the presence of ceramics decorated with bitum and generally by elements of the Vinča culture. The second stage (1b) is characterised by the presence of the painted pottery of the Akropotamos style and generally by the growing influence of the South.
During the next occupation phase 2 (5070-4700 BC) the settlement extents to a wider area. In the periphery of the eastern settlement part, the Bulgarian sector Topolnica, traces of a palisade are revealed, which probably replaced the earthwall at that part. At the same phase should belong the earthwall, which was detected west of the Greek excavation area. In this case, the settlement with diameter 260 and 80 m respectively acquired a greater area of approximately 2.1 hectares. Inside the settlement the semi subterranean houses of the previous phase are filled with deposits and transformed into ground floors houses.
On the next stage of this settlement phase (phase 2b) belongs the house 1 of the Bulgarian sector Topolnica. The kind, the co-existence and the arrangement of the findings refer to a sanctuary. In the settlement phase 2 traces of early mining and processing of copper are detected, as suggested by the metallurgical facilities with a melting pot found in situ. In 4700 BC the settlement Promachon-Topolnica was abandoned.
Later, in the settlement phase 3 (4460-4250 BC) the place was inhabited by a small group of people. Typical of this phase is the ceramic painted inside and out with graphite and the incised ceramic of the type Maritza I.
In the earlier occupation phase 1 (5320-5070 BC) the settlement is surrounded by an oval earthen wall with diameters 100 and 60 m respectively and has an expansion of just 0,6 hectare. The buildings inside are semi subterranean. Their material probably served to the construction of the surrounding earth wall.
According to the finds, this phase is divided into an early stage (1a), which is characterised by the presence of ceramics decorated with bitum and generally by elements of the Vinča culture. The second stage (1b) is characterised by the presence of the painted pottery of the Akropotamos style and generally by the growing influence of the South.
During the next occupation phase 2 (5070-4700 BC) the settlement extents to a wider area. In the periphery of the eastern settlement part, the Bulgarian sector Topolnica, traces of a palisade are revealed, which probably replaced the earthwall at that part. At the same phase should belong the earthwall, which was detected west of the Greek excavation area. In this case, the settlement with diameter 260 and 80 m respectively acquired a greater area of approximately 2.1 hectares. Inside the settlement the semi subterranean houses of the previous phase are filled with deposits and transformed into ground floors houses.
On the next stage of this settlement phase (phase 2b) belongs the house 1 of the Bulgarian sector Topolnica. The kind, the co-existence and the arrangement of the findings refer to a sanctuary. In the settlement phase 2 traces of early mining and processing of copper are detected, as suggested by the metallurgical facilities with a melting pot found in situ. In 4700 BC the settlement Promachon-Topolnica was abandoned.
Later, in the settlement phase 3 (4460-4250 BC) the place was inhabited by a small group of people. Typical of this phase is the ceramic painted inside and out with graphite and the incised ceramic of the type Maritza I.
The Prehistoric Bronze (PBF) finds are a research and editorial project of the Academy of Sciences and Literature in Mainz, in the Department of Prehistory and Early History of the Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main and at the Department of Prehistory and Early History Archaeology Department of History of the Westphalian University of Münster under the auspices of UNESCO sub-organization "on Internationale des Sciences et Préhistoriques Protohistoriques (UISPP)"
Short text
The variety of shapes as well as the large number of jewelry made of precious metal and copper shows the great importance that metal had in the jewelry area in the copper age of Southeast Europe. It is the most complete study of copper-age jewelry in Southeast Europe to date.
"... this volume is very welcome because it enables a quick overview of the jewelry forms of the Copper Age in Bulgaria and once again emphasizes the importance of the copper-age cultural phenomena in Southeast Europe, which should also be considered from a Central and Western European perspective ..."
Jahrtausend v. Chr. war das der wichtigste Weg über welchen, mit Zwischenstationen, der Ackerbau und die Viehzucht nach Mitteleuropa gelangt sind. Die Urgeschichte des Strymonbereiches blieb aber leider lange Zeit kaum erforscht. Erst in den letzten Jahrzehnten des 20 Jh. fanden hier mehrere großflächige Ausgrabungen statt, so dass sich diese Lücke zu schließen begann. Diese Ausgrabungen warfen neues, oft unerwartetes Licht in die südosteuropäische Urgeschichte, in die sozialen Struktur und in die Glaubenswelt des prähistorischen Menschen. An erster Stelle sei hier die Grabung in Krainici bei Kjustendil erwähnt, wo die Anfänge der Neolithisierung Europas belegt sind. Es geht um der Zeit des s.g. Monochromen Neolithikums. Die Ergebnisse der Ausgrabungen weiterer neolithischer Lokalitäten wie Kovatschevo, Bălgarčevo, Separeva banja, Gălăbnik, Pernik, u.a. warfen Licht in die komplizierte neolithische Problematik. Die Stratigraphie des neolithischen Tells Gălăbnik – des einzigen Tells im Bereich des Mittleren Strymons – ist maßgebend für die Entwicklung im Zentralbalkan im VI Jahrtausend. Die umfangreiche spätneolithische Siedlung Promachon-Topolnica, am Strymonufer am Fuß des Kirkini- Berges, ist in den Jahren 1983–2003 beiderseitig der griechisch – bulgarischen Grenze erforscht worden. Ein einmaliges, zweistöckiges Souterrainheiligtum, gewidmet der Mutter Erde und ihrem Gatten – dem Stier ist dort festgestellt worden. Das Heiligtum ist 4 Meter in der Erde eingetieft und über 12 × 12 m groß – eine Erscheinung, ohne Gegenstücke auf europäischem Boden. Die frühsten, bislang bekannten Kupferschmelzanlagen sind ebenfalls in Promachon-Topolnica festgestellt worden, was die Anfänge der Metallurgie etwa um etwa 300 Jahre zurück im ausgehenden Spätneolithikum datiert. In dieser Frühzeit ist gediegenes Kupfer verarbeitet worden. Es stammt aus den unweit liegenden Erzlagerstätten, wo gediegenes Kupfer immer noch aufzufinden ist. Die Ausgrabungen in Slatino bei Kjustendil in Bulgarien, sowie auf Krioneri, bei Amphipolis und Dikili tasch bei Filipi in Griechenland brachten zahlreiche neue Kenntnisse über die Frühkupferzeit (um 4750–4600 v. Chr.) auf der Balkanhalbinsel. Namentlich das zum ersten Mal zugänglich gemachte Galepsos-Fundgut aus Krioneri bringt wichtige neue Aspekte, da es verdeutlicht woher die bekannten Galepsos-Importe im Beriech des Mittleren Strymons stammen. Das ganze frühkupferzeitliche Siedlungssystem des Strymonbereiches geht um 4600 v. Chr. In Folge der ökologischen Katastrophe des Klimaoptimums unter, gefolgt von einer über 1000 Jahre
andauernden Kulturzäsur. Eine interessante Lokalität am oberen Strymon stellt die Festung Krakra bei Pernik dar, wo spätkupferzeitliche Schichten und solche der frühen Bronzezeit die mittelalterliche Befestigung unterlagern. Funde der Baden-Boleráz-Cernavoda III Kultur und solche der Vučedol/Sitagri V Kulturvariante sind auch aus dem Bereich des Strymon-Nebenflusses Blatna bei Radomir bekannt (3400–3200 und 2400–2200 v. Chr.). Die Spätbronzezeit (um 1300–1100 BC) ist durch die Ergebnisse mehreren Ausgrabungen am Mittleren und Unteren Strymon erfasst. Darunter sind diese von Kamenska čuka, Krăsto und Marikostinivo bei Petrič in Bulgarien so wie jene des Gräberfeldes Fea Petra bei Sidirokastro im Nordgriechenland hervorzuheben. In Fea Petra sind enge Beziehungen zwischen der späten Mykenischen Welt und dem Norden der Balkanhalbinsel belegt, was auf das Vorhandensein in der Nordägäis einer Kontaktzone zwischen den beiden Kulturbereichen hindeutet. Aus der Spätbronzezeit ist auch ein interessantes Signalsystem nördlich des Kresna-Passes
festgestellt worden, bestehend aus einer Reihe Türme, errichtet auf dominanten Erhöhungen mit
Blickkontakt untereinander. Von großer Bedeutung für die Rekonstruktion des realen historischen Bildes ist die gewonnene Erkenntnis, dass gewaltige Zäsuren in der prähistorischen Entwicklung des Strymonbereiches vorliegen. Diese sind nun als objektive historische, paläoklimatisch bedingte, Gegebenheiten zu berücksichtigen. In Folge der neusten Forschungsaktivitäten zeichnet sich heute ein klares Bild der Urgeschichte des Strymonbereichs ab, welches gut mit den benachbarten Gebieten korrellierbar ist. Die genannten Forschungsergebnisse sind am Strymon Symposium vorgetragen worden und werden mit dieser Veröffentlichung der Symposiumsbeiträge einem breiten Publikum zugänglich gemacht. Die beteiligten Museen von Pernik, Kjustendil und Blagoevgrad (Bulgarien) und Seres, Filipi, Drama und Amphipolis (Griechenland) ermöglichten den Symposiumteilnehmer einen ad autopsiam Zugang zu den wichtigsten prähistorischen Funden, was von großer Bedeutung für die zukünftige prähistorische Forschung ist. Allen Mitarbeiter dieser Museen, die mit dieser komplizierten
Aufgabe beauftragt waren, gebührt der herzlichste Dank aller Symposiumsteilnehmer. Ferner sind wir dem Valentin Debochichki, Direktor des Museums von Kjustendil und der Leitung der merikanischen Universität in Blagoevgrad für die glänzende Organisation der Sitzungen, die den glatten Verlauf des Symposiums gesichert hat, zu großem Dank verpflichtet. Ferner sei folgenden Damen und Herren für ihren Einsatz für das Symposium und der Druckvorbereitung dieses Bandes aufs herzlichste gedankt: Dr. Chaido Koukouli-Chryssanthaki, Dr. Ioanis Aslanis, Dr. Magdalene Valla, Dr. Dimitra Malamidou, Dr. Biserka Gaydarska, Dr. Kalin Dimitrov, Mg. Veselin Draganov, Mg. Peter Zi darov, Assist. Ivailo Lozanov and Vessela Gertcheva. Zuletzt – aber doch an erster Stelle – sind wir der Gerda Henkel Stiftung für die Kostenübernahme für den Verlauf des Symposiums und für die Unterstützung für den Druck dieses Bandes zu tiefstem Dank verpflichtet. Ohne dieser Unterstützung währen die wichtigen prähistorischen Entdeckungen des Strymonbereiches noch lange Zeit Geheimnis ihrer Ausgräber geblieben.