Karanovo Tell — Southeast Nova Zagora Type-Site
Karanovo · Karanovo Mound · Tell Karanovo Southeast Ridge
Early Neolithic to Chalcolithic (6200–4000 BCE; Karanovo I–VII)·Karanovo I–VII → Gumelniţa–Kodžadermen → Early Bronze Ezero·🇧🇬 Sliven Province, Nova Zagora District, Karanovo village, Bulgaria
About
About Karanovo Tell — Southeast Nova Zagora Type-Site
Karanovo Southeast Ridge is the 1.5 ha Early Chalcolithic extension east of the 12 m high 3.5 ha classic Karanovo tell (12 ha with halo), type-site for Karanovo I–VII Neolithic–Chalcolithic sequence (6200–4000 BCE), excavated by Vasil Mikov and Georgi Georgiev and Austrian team (Stefan Hiller). Neolithic white-painted and Gumelniţa interior houses 18×7 m, copper-smelting furnaces, Tell social zonation, and 18 superimposed horizons proving Bulgarian stratigraphy. Southeast ridge exposures Karanovo VI–Gumelniţa burn.
Why it mattersReference stratigraphy for Southeast Europe giving name to entire 2200-year Karanovo sequence, used continent-wide.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Synchronism with Vinča and Thessalian chronology?
Theories
- 01Georgiev: tell pulses respond to climatic arid intervals before 4300 collapse
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.6200 BCE (Karanovo I)
- Period
- Early Neolithic to Chalcolithic (6200–4000 BCE; Karanovo I–VII)
- Culture
- Karanovo I–VII → Gumelniţa–Kodžadermen → Early Bronze Ezero
- Builders
- Neolithic Thracian farmers
- Purpose
- Long-term agro-village demonstrating tell vertical growth and zonation
- Abandoned
- c.4000 BCE (Karanovo VII transition to Ezero)
- Rediscovered
- 1936 Mikov; 1947–71 Georgiev stratigraphy; 1984 Hiller
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1936–1971
Mikov–Georgiev 12 m 18 layer stratigraphy
c.4500 BCE
Karanovo VI floodburn horizon southeast ridge
On the ground
Structures & features
42.5100° N · 25.9100° E · 195 m · 3 mapped features
Karanovo VI Burn Ridge
habitationKaranovo VI–Gumelniţa burned longehouses SE
42.5106° N · 25.9105° EKaranovo I White-Painted Basal
trenchEarly Neolithic white-on-red floor horizon
42.5093° N · 25.9108° EKaranovo Copper Furnace Pit
workshopMalachite crucible furnace with tuyère
42.5110° N · 25.9094° E