Ancient Thrace, encompassing present-day Bulgaria and parts of Romania, Greece, and Turkey, has been the source of spectacular archaeological discoveries throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, and new finds continue to be made through ongoing excavations. Yet the history and material culture of ancient Thrace are still not widely known. Join prominent archaeologists working in the field to learn more about the history of Thracian archaeology, its present, and its future.
Presentations
Introduction to the Archaeology of Ancient Thrace
Dr. John W.I. Lee, professor of history, UC Santa Barbara
A New Look at Dynamic Times: Ancient Thrace and Alexander the Great
Dr. Margarit Damyanov, associate professor, Department of Thracian Archaeology, National Archaeological Institute with Museum – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia
Among the various Thracian tribes inhabiting what is today Bulgaria were the Odrysai, a group that united the Thracians under the Odrysian Kingdom beginning in the fifth century BCE. After a crisis in the fourth century BCE, Philip II, father of Alexander the Great and king of the neighboring region of Macedonia, conquered Thrace’s divided territories, ushering in a period of Macedonian domination that lasted until the death of the ruler Lysimachus (a successor of Alexander the Great) in 281 BCE. Damyanov presents new archaeological discoveries that reveal details of the Macedonian conquest, as well as a picture of flourishing centers of wealth and power that have revealed some of the most recognizable Thracian monuments. These highlight the increased inclusion of Thrace in the expanding Hellenistic world following Alexander’s conquests.
Borderlands: The Northern Thracians and the Edge of the Greek World
Dr. Maria-Magdalena Ștefan, archaeologist, Romanian National History Museum, Bucharest
The ancient Greeks viewed the Thracians as a peripheral culture, especially those living in the north near the Danube and the Black Sea. Often depicted as "others" in ancient texts, their behaviors were considered strange or barbaric. However, recent archaeological discoveries challenge these perceptions. They reveal shared values between the Greeks and the Getae, the northernmost tribe, especially regarding ostentatious funerary practices and religious beliefs. From this distant region, now part of present-day Romania, comes the Agighiol Hoard, an iconic set of fourth-century BCE silver artifacts recently featured in the Getty Villa's exhibition. Ştefan focuses on the shared iconography of these spectacular finds and explores the political and historical context that gave rise to their hybrid identity.
The Archaeological Heritage of Aegean Thrace
Dr. Despoina Tsiafaki, director of research, Cultural Heritage Unit, “Athena” Research Center, Thessaloniki
Ancient Thrace was a land of rich cultures, thriving settlements, and deep-rooted traditions that spanned centuries of antiquity. Tsiafaki explores the remarkable archaeological heritage of the southern part of the region , widely known as Aegean Thrace, which encompasses part of present-day Greece. Excavated sites bear witness to dense habitation, vibrant communities, and the dynamic interactions between Thracians, Greeks, and other peoples across the Aegean and beyond. The complex identities of these populations with their diverse histories and myths come to life through their material remains. From prominent sites such as Thasos, Abdera, Zone, and Samothrace, to newly discovered settlements and sanctuaries, Aegean Thrace offers a compelling narrative of cultural exchange and continuity.
