Unique Figurine of Roman God Mars Unearthed In Bulgaria

A mutilated figurine of Ancient Roman god Mars has been found by archaeologists during the excavations of the Early Byzantine and medieval Bulgarian city of Missionis, also known as Krum’s Fortress, whose ruins are located near today’s northeastern city of Targovishte.

The Mars figurine had its head, arms, and legs removed as part of an anti-pagan ritual, according to the Bulgarian archaeologists.

“This is a way in which the owner of this figurine demonstrated that they had renounced
the old pagan gods, and had adopted Christianity,” explains archaeologist Angel Konakliev
from the Targovishte Regional Museum of History, as cited by BTA.

A number of other artifacts were also unearthed this season, including Early Byzantine
bone combs that were likely used for decoration, and a silver coin depicting the
thirteenth-century Bulgarian Tsar Georgi I Terter, the only known coin of its type to be discovered.

The 14th century AD lead cross was actually discovered during the excavations of the medieval city of
Missionis / Krum’s Fortress back in 2008 but its conservation and restoration have taken a long time,
and it has been shown to the media and the public just now.

The cross, which has compartments for keeping holy relics of Christian saints, appears to date to the
last years of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396 AD), before its conquest by the invading Ottoman Turks at the end of the 14th century.

The lead cross reliquary from the Late Middle Ages features depictions of the crucified Jesus Christ and
the praying Mother of God (Virgin Mary) next to him as well as three figures which are believed to
represent the first followers of Christ – the apostles Andrew, Peter, and Paul.

The archaeologists have emphasized that at the end of the 14th century, after a long and tough siege,
the medieval Bulgarian city of Missionis / Krum’s Fortress was razed to the ground by the invading Ottoman Turks.

AncientPages.com

References:

Archaeology in Bulgaria