- National Archaeological Institute wit Museum,
2 Saborna str., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria - +359 887 544 824
Nayden Prahov
Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Archaeology, Graduate Student
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Nayden Prahov, PhD, Archaeologists at the National Institute of Archaeology with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of S... moreNayden Prahov, PhD, Archaeologists at the National Institute of Archaeology with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (2015 – present / http://www.naim.bg/ ). From January 2013 to November 2015 – archaeologists at the Centre for Underwater Archaeology. Member of the Center’s research and Cultural Resource Management national and international projects in the recent years, including: deputy director of the excavations of Kiten submerged Bronze Age settlement (2014), deputy director of South Stream gas pipeline geophysical survey (2014), deputy director of Chernomorets 19 century shipwreck excavations (2015), member of Black Sea Maritime Archaeological Project M.A.P (2015 – present), member of the Development of Predictive Models for Identification of Archaeological Sites Along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast in GIS Environment project (2009 – 2013), etc.
Areas of interest: methods and practices for underwater excavation and documentation; remote sensing marine surveys; archaeological predictive modeling for underwater and coastal sites; GIS and spatial analyses; submerged prehistoric settlements; landscape changes and reconstruction, etc.
Co-founder and co-director of the Balkan Heritage Foundation (http://balkanheritage.org/) and Field school (http://www.bhfieldschool.org/project).
Education: PhD (2013), MA (2007) and bachelor (2003) at the Department of Archaeology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. PhD thesis: Interdisciplinary Methods for Reconstruction of Palaeolandscapes and Predictive Modeling for Identification of Underwater Archaeological Sites. Visiting Fellowship with the Digital Institute for Archaeology at the University of Arkansas’s Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies (CAST) for Spring Semester 2012 – specialization on GIS and Archaeological Predictive Modeling.
1994-1999 – National High School for Ancient Languages and Cultures “Konstantin Kiril Philosopher” edit -
Associate Prof. Dr. Totk Stoyanov, Hristina Angelova, Prof. Dr. Kenneth Kvamme, Associate Prof. Dr. Stefka Angelova, edit
Research Interests:
This volume presents the results of research on pre-industrial mining in the region along the south-eastern Bulgarian Black Sea coast. During rescue excavations some prehistoric settlements with traces of early of copper processing were... more
This volume presents the results of research on pre-industrial mining in the region along the south-eastern Bulgarian Black Sea coast. During rescue excavations some prehistoric settlements with traces of early of copper processing were uncovered. This initiated a thorough investigation of the copper ore deposits of Burgas, Rosen and Medni Rid that were mined until recently. Their archaeometallurgical investigation was a project of the Tübingen SFB 1070 ResourceCultures. The research results include an overview of the archaeological research along the southern Bulgarian coastal zone of the Black Sea and the now flooded sites in its shore area. The timeframe ranges from the earliest use of metals in the 5th millennium BC to the period of the 'Greek Colonisation' and later.
Research Interests:
In 2009, the Center for Underwater Archaeology has started a project on the Development of Predictive Models for Identification of Archaeological Sites along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast in GIS environment, financed by the National... more
In 2009, the Center for Underwater Archaeology has started a project on the Development of Predictive Models for Identification of Archaeological Sites along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast in GIS environment, financed by the National Scientific Fund. This is the first major project in Bulgaria aimed at archaeological predictive modeling as a method to evaluate the probability of finding of archaeological sites within a specific territory and an attempt to create a scientifically sound hypothesis that is able to overcome the subjectivity in prediction.Bulgaria lacks experience in archaeological predictive modeling. One of the project activities is to review and study international experience in this field.The article presents some of the archaeological predictive models developed mostly in response to the implementation of infrastructure projects in different countries around the world.We discuss the factors involved in the development of archaeological predictive models and underline...
Nowadays in the aquatory of Sozopol, ancient Apollonia Pontica, on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast exist three islands – St. Ivan, St. Peter and St. Kirik. Some scholars describing Sozopol and its environment in the late 19th... more
Nowadays in the aquatory of Sozopol, ancient Apollonia Pontica, on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast exist three islands – St. Ivan, St. Peter and St. Kirik. Some scholars describing Sozopol and its environment in the late 19th century mention another two islets – Milos and Gata. Today they no longer exist. This paper addresses the questions of where these were located, and what was their fate. The research is based on a number of articles concerning the history, archaeology and geography of Sozopol and its area, naval and military maps, pilots and itineraries from the 19th – early 20th centuries, old pictures, and interviews with local anglers. The conclusions are that Gata is comprised of shallow reefs in the aquatory between the north-eastern shore of St. Kirik island and Sozopol peninsula and Milos was the name given to reefs in the aquatory south of St. Kirik island. Today these rocks are partly covered by an artificial road and island extension build in the 20th century.
Research Interests:
Since 2018, the Balkan Heritage Foundation and the Bulgarian Center for Underwater Archaeology, in collaboration with New Bulgarian University and the Institute for Field Research, are conducting an annual field school in underwater... more
Since 2018, the Balkan Heritage Foundation and the Bulgarian Center for Underwater Archaeology, in collaboration with New Bulgarian University and the Institute for Field Research, are conducting an annual field school in underwater archaeology in Nesebar’s peninsular Old Town Quarter, ancient Mesambria, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. While teaching, studying, and training, the scientists and students are actually participating in ongoing field research projects and are contributing to the study, conservation, and promotion of underwater and maritime cultural heritage. Thus, the field school creates a synergy in benefit of the cultural heritage.
An archaeological predictive model for Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age coastal settlements along the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast was developed on a base of a terrestrial and bathymetric DTM produced with aerial bathymetric... more
An archaeological predictive model for Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age coastal settlements along the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast was developed on a base of a terrestrial and bathymetric DTM produced with aerial bathymetric lidar scanning. The model indicates zones with higher probability for existence of submerged settlements. Another on land areas with higher archaeological potential are identified in the coastal zones.
Research Interests:
This volume presents the results of research on pre-industrial mining in the region along the south-eastern Bulgarian Black Sea coast. During rescue excavations some prehistoric settlements with traces of early copper processing were... more
This volume presents the results of research on pre-industrial mining in the region along the south-eastern Bulgarian Black Sea coast. During rescue excavations some prehistoric settlements with traces of early copper processing were uncovered. This initiated a thorough investigation of the copper ore deposits of Burgas, Rosen and Medi Rid that were mined until recently. Their archaeometallurgical investigation was a project of the Tübingen SFB 1070 ResourceCultures. The research results include an overview of the archaeological research along the southern Bulgarian coastal zone of the Black Sea and the now flooded sites in its shore area. The timeframe ranges from the earliest use of metals in the 5th millennium BC to the period of the ‘Greek Colonisation’ and later.
Research Interests:
The goal of geophysical research in 2021 was a comprehensive study of the bottom of Durankulak Lake (Fig. 1). The following tools was employed: Side Scan Sonar 2 pcs. (StarFish 450H and StarFish 990) with visualization system for... more
The goal of geophysical research in 2021 was a comprehensive study of the bottom of Durankulak Lake (Fig. 1). The following tools was employed: Side Scan Sonar 2 pcs. (StarFish 450H and StarFish 990) with visualization system for obtaining information about the nature of the lake bottom and the presence and / or absence of artificial objects; Compact sub bottom - SES 2000 Compact for bottom depth scanning and surface stratigraphy detection; and DGPS coordinating system with Heading (Trimble SPSx61) in Roll RTK configuration and geo-electrical resistance meter. Multibeam echosounder was also used to supplement the data.
According to the tracing data, we were able to select only one layer of mud deposited on the strongly denuded rocks in Durankulak Lake. In places the muddy layer reaches a depth of over 4 m. The reason why the layers cannot be clearly traced in depth is the fact that the muddy bottom, due to the decomposition of deposited organic material, generates a constant swamp gas that shields the signal and limits the breakthrough capabilities of the equipment. In the environment of moving water masses, as is the case with the Black Sea bottom, this is not the case, but with the stagnant water of Durankulak Lake, this has become an insurmountable problem.
In Durankulak Lake, 10 electric cross-sections were made, covering its entire area. The defined boundaries of the layers are stratified on the basis of specific resistances. The results confirmed the previous observations that the riverbed and flood terraces of the ancient river were formed by gravels, sands (mostly near the modern coastline), clay and precipitated loess. Of interest are the rise and fall of the strata registered in several of the profiles, which (unprovable for now) could be interpreted as indications of the presence of fault lines.
Summarizing the results obtained from the research of Durankulak Lake and the adjacent Black Sea shelf, we draw a clear picture of the paleorelief of the area (Fig. 4). The contours of the ancient river, as well as the river pools areas, became very apparent. It was found that in some places the width of the ancient river reached 70–80 m. The greatest measured depth is in the eastern part of the lake – -4.25 m from elevation 0, the modern water mirror. Detailed bathymetry shows that the area around the Big and Small Islands has a slightly special relief. At about 50 m to the north, the bottom drops to -3.20 m. There is a large depression which can be interpreted as a river pool, a swampy area during the dry months of the year. Data have been found between the two islands for the presence of a pronounced rib connecting them, an indication of the existence in ancient times of a land connection between the Big and Small Islands. The established terrain configuration on the western bank of the ancient river showed that in ancient times the areas south and north of the Big Island were relatively flat and probably inhabited.
Data from the side-scan sonar (Compact sub bottom) show that in front of the eastern cape of the Big Island there is a significant accumulation of stones. Scattered stones are also found on the eastern shore of the lake, opposite the Small Island. The sonar images also show the contours of a sunken boat, as well as those of several of the metal cylindrical girders of the pontoon once connecting the coast with the Small Island.
According to the tracing data, we were able to select only one layer of mud deposited on the strongly denuded rocks in Durankulak Lake. In places the muddy layer reaches a depth of over 4 m. The reason why the layers cannot be clearly traced in depth is the fact that the muddy bottom, due to the decomposition of deposited organic material, generates a constant swamp gas that shields the signal and limits the breakthrough capabilities of the equipment. In the environment of moving water masses, as is the case with the Black Sea bottom, this is not the case, but with the stagnant water of Durankulak Lake, this has become an insurmountable problem.
In Durankulak Lake, 10 electric cross-sections were made, covering its entire area. The defined boundaries of the layers are stratified on the basis of specific resistances. The results confirmed the previous observations that the riverbed and flood terraces of the ancient river were formed by gravels, sands (mostly near the modern coastline), clay and precipitated loess. Of interest are the rise and fall of the strata registered in several of the profiles, which (unprovable for now) could be interpreted as indications of the presence of fault lines.
Summarizing the results obtained from the research of Durankulak Lake and the adjacent Black Sea shelf, we draw a clear picture of the paleorelief of the area (Fig. 4). The contours of the ancient river, as well as the river pools areas, became very apparent. It was found that in some places the width of the ancient river reached 70–80 m. The greatest measured depth is in the eastern part of the lake – -4.25 m from elevation 0, the modern water mirror. Detailed bathymetry shows that the area around the Big and Small Islands has a slightly special relief. At about 50 m to the north, the bottom drops to -3.20 m. There is a large depression which can be interpreted as a river pool, a swampy area during the dry months of the year. Data have been found between the two islands for the presence of a pronounced rib connecting them, an indication of the existence in ancient times of a land connection between the Big and Small Islands. The established terrain configuration on the western bank of the ancient river showed that in ancient times the areas south and north of the Big Island were relatively flat and probably inhabited.
Data from the side-scan sonar (Compact sub bottom) show that in front of the eastern cape of the Big Island there is a significant accumulation of stones. Scattered stones are also found on the eastern shore of the lake, opposite the Small Island. The sonar images also show the contours of a sunken boat, as well as those of several of the metal cylindrical girders of the pontoon once connecting the coast with the Small Island.