A Sacred Centre at Cape Sveti Atanas in the Western Pontic Region Cover Image
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Сакральный центр на мысе Cв. Атанас в Западном Причерноморье
A Sacred Centre at Cape Sveti Atanas in the Western Pontic Region

Author(s): Valeri Yotov, Alexander Minchev
Subject(s): History, Archaeology, Cultural history, History of ideas, Ancient World, Middle Ages, 6th to 12th Centuries
Published by: Издательский дом Stratum, Университет «Высшая антропологическая школа»
Keywords: Byala; cape Sveti Atanas; Thracian temple; Sanctuary of Heracles; Late Antique fortress; commercial harbor; Early Christian basilica; baptistery; bishop residence; sacred spring

Summary/Abstract: Archaeological investigations in 2009—2013 at a Late Antique fortified town located on Cape Sveti Atanas yielded several sacral complexes, dated between 6th c. BC — early 7th c. AD.In the South-Eastern part of the cape there have been unearthed tens of Thracian sacrificial clay altars and a temple (?) dated back to the 5th — 1st cc. BC. Close to this complexes, several marble sculptures and a votive relief representing the labours of Heracles have been also discovered. These finds are probably connected with a Roman sanctuaryof 2nd—3rd cc. AD dedicated to this ancient divine hero.The most interesting discoveries belong to the Early Christian period of late 4th — early 7th cc. AD: a three-nave basilica with one apse and two baptisteries; a residential house of the priest and later a local bishop (chora-episcopus) as well as a storge-house for keeping the gifts donated to the church and a sacred well/spring next to the church building.The Late Antique fortress on cape Sveti Atanas was erected most probably in late 4th century AD. Soon it became a local port town and Christian center of the region.The fortification was renewed a couple of times after natural calamities and barbarian invasions. In 614 AD, after an attack of Avars and Slavs, the town was captured, burned to ashes and abandoned.

  • Issue Year: 2013
  • Issue No: 6
  • Page Range: 59-77
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: Russian