Археологическите проучвания на крепостта в м. „Св. Спас” при с. Белчин – резултати и интерпретация
Archaeological studies of the Fortress „St. Spas” near Belchin – Results and Interpretation

Summary/Abstract: Archaeological studies in the village Belchin, near Samokov reveals a new page of the era of the Great Migration of Peoples. Located at the crossroads between rich and developed urbanized ancient centres – Pautalia, Serdika, Germanea and Philipopolis, the area of Samokov with its fortified settlements is influenced by all historical processes. The area is one of the most important irons processing centres of ancient and medieval times. A second season running archaeological studies established the functions of the fortress-enhanced settlement. The corners and the gate of the fortress wall are flanked by large rectangular towers, closing an area of 9 ha. So far, three towers and buildings glued to the fortress wall were excavated there. Remains of outbreaks, iron tools, weights for scales (egzagii), weights of vertical slag were found in the premises. Coin finds date from the inhabitance of the village from IVth to the end of VIth century. The exploration of a Christian cult complex shows the strong religious commitment of the hill St. Spas near the village of Belchin. It is located in the north of a fortress gate. The excavations of the oath St. Spas revealed the remains of a medieval church from XVth-ХVІth century. It was dug into a destroyed Early Christian basilica from the late of Vth century. The architecture is unusual to this area - long and narrow naos, unctuous from west and north and an altar part, formed with annexes. The ruins of an earlier basilica from the 90` s of ІVth century were found around and underneath. On the depth of 1.20 m were found three bronze coins, iron keys, a small iron knife, iron top of an arrow and fragments of window glass. Collective coinage consists of two minimas and one tsentenionalis of Emperor Valent, Valentinian II and Arcadius.

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