archaeological evidence for the exploitation of gold ore deposits at ...

the period of the last years from the IV c. BC to the second
decade of the III c. BC (Tonkova, 2002). Without direct
connection with the theme under consideration, this find is a
circuitous argument for the level of living, political organization,
commercial and cultural relations of a settlement and also
illustrates the prosperity of the region connected with the mine
exploitation also in the Early Hellenistic period.
Thracian sanctuary near the village of Babyak
and the ore mining deposit “Babyak”, Western
Rhodopes
The location and unique archaeological finds from the
sanctuary near the village of Babyak present us with the
opportunity to describe it as a fundamental cult place of the
belligerent Bessoi – the Thracian population that originated
from the Western Rhodopes area and the valleys along the
Upper Mesta River (Domaradski et al., 1999; Gotzev, 1994;
Tonkova, 2005; 2007; Tonkova, Gotzev, Ed., 2008).
The sanctuary near Babyak is situated over a threesectioned
peak “Babyashka Chuka” located on a high summit
(1653.6 m a.s.l.), а natural dominant over the surroundings, the
view it reveals encompasses the valley of Razlog, Predela,
Pirin, Rila, and the spectacular landscape of the Rhodopes.
The remains of the cult activities that had taken place there
have formed cultural layers thick up to 3 meters in some
places. Abundant with archaeological materials, this area
covers over 6-7 decares. The stratigraphic examinations
showed that the sanctuary had been in exploitation for more
than 14 centuries in the period between I mill. BC – V c. AD. It
existed during four chronological periods – Late Bronze, Early
Iron, Late Iron and Roman Age.
The first ascertained period of zenith for the sanctuary is
assigned to the second half of the Early Iron Age (VIII-VI c.
BC). To that period can be assigned the earliest fortification
walls. Other representatives of the period are also the first
structures related to the offering of gifts: clay altars different in
size and shape, stone heaps and ritual pits. The gifts represent
mostly fragments of pottery with characteristic of this period
ornaments.
The second period of existence for the sanctuary refers to
the Late Iron Age (V-I c. BC). Particularly distinctive is the
growth of the sanctuary between the end of the III c. BC until I
c. BC. In this period the cult area (temenos) is enclosed by
light stone wall (peribol). The cult practices during that period
are organized around altars and in gift depots, representing
clay altars with different shape, ritual pits, stone heaps in lines,
alternating platforms and clefts, rock niches filled with gifts and
“sealed” with arranged little stones. The sanctuary flourished
also during the Roman Period. The most significant traces of
this time are explored in the High Pinnacle. There were found
roughly processed stone column and ceramic building material
which presumes the presence of a temple dating from that
period. In that sector are found fragments of a monumental
marble statue of a Thracian goddess of fertility, as well as
votive tablets of Hera and Zeus. The various gifts of metal and
clay also certify for diverse manifestations of the cult from that
time. The large amount of silver and bronze coins (over 200)
found in the sanctuary refers mostly to the Late Roman Age
and Late Antiquity.
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There have been clarified some very important aspects of the
cult – chthonic and also the solar aspects. In the time of
ancient Thrace these comprehensive powers are possessed
by the highest Thracian deity – the Great Thracian Goddess.
Along with Her most probably a male deity had been
worshipped as well, if we are to judge by the presented as gifts
mining tools and weapons. During the Roman Age those gods
were personified as Hera and Zeus, according to the votive
tablets found here.
Among the gifts for the gods offered at the sanctuary most
common are fragments of pottery and means of labor (large
amount of loom weights and spindle whorls, sickles, knives,
miners’ and jewelers’ tools), lots of personal objects related to
decoration of the body and clothes (ornaments and fibulas
made of silver and bronze), silver coins and trade stamps from
II-I c. BC. Some of the gifts are objects which had been crafted
particularly for the cult, but there are also objects which had
been used in everyday life. Among them – with a great
importance for our investigation are those found in a stone
heap dated from ІІІ-ІІ c. BC: two mining tools – an iron axe and
an axe-mattock (Fig. 5-6), found on a tray.
Fig. 5. An iron axe from the sanctuary at the village of Babyak
Fig. 6. An axe-mattock from the sanctuary at the village of Babyak
Parts of stone pans and hand grinding mills with sluices were
also found at the sanctuary (Fig. 7) (Tonkova, 2005, 173, T.II,
12,13, 18; 2007, 59, s. 10, 23, Table ІІ, 12, 13). According to
Domaradski they are designed for grinding of the ore
(Domaradski et al., 1999, 31, 39). Mining instruments are also
of a great interest in this aspect. With the chisels and the
jewels that were found, the cycle of extraction and fine
treatment of the metal is evident. Chisels could be related to
the activity of jewellery workshops for which there are
evidences near the sanctuary during the Pre-Roman period: ІІІ-
І c.BC.