ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS NEAR THE VILLAGE OF MALKO GRADISHTE (Doichin Grozdanov – doichyn_eg@abv.bg) The church, which was explored, had three naves. A layer of debris was explored in the apse, containing uneven and cut stones, nails, fragmentary roof tiles and sherds of the 11th – 12th centuries. The apse was built over a plinth consisting of one course of uneven stones bonded with mortar. Steps were cut out into the rock against the apse, securing the access towards the church from the east. There was a groove cut out into the rock between the church and the rocky massif from the north and its function was to drain the area. The finds included Mediaeval sherds, including from sgraffito pottery, nails, fragmentary building ceramics and a coin of Manuel I Komnenos.