ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS NEAR NOVA ZAGORA (Veselin Ignatov – ignatov_v@abv.bg) The necropolis consisted of 10 tumuli. A tumulus, 5 m in height and 37 m in diameter, was excavated in the past. Bronze vessels (a patera, two oinochoai and a jug) of the Roman period, a cremation burial with ceramic vessels and an inhumation burial of the Late Iron Age (5th – 1st centuries BC), containing ceramic jar and jug and two bronze fibulae, were discovered. A cart was also excavated near the tumuli. Three tumuli are still preserved. A clandestine excavation, situated close to the southeast of one of the tumuli, was explored. Pit No. 1, 5.30 m by 2.60 m in size and oriented north – south, was discovered. It contained horses and a chariot. The chariot was placed dismantled in the southern half of the pit. A small folding iron chair was placed over the elements of the chariot. The saddle-horse lies with his back towards the eastern wall of the pit and with head oriented to the west. The horse-trappings were decorated with bronze plates. Three spearheads placed in a case were found below the ribs of the horse. The cart-horse lies between the two other horses with his back directed to the west. Rings from the yoke and a silver plate of the horse-collar were found on his neck. The third horse lies to the west from the two other horses and with his back directed to the west. A ring from the yoke and a silver plate of the horse-collar were found on his neck. Pit No. 2, 3.90 m by 2.30 m in size and oriented east – west, was discovered at 19 m to the south of the tumulus. It contained horses and a chariot. The chariot was placed in the western part of the pit. The chair in the car of the chariot was made of bronze plates. The first horse lies in the northeastern corner of the pit. Bronze buckles, rings and round appliqués of his horse-trappings were found. The second horse had identical horse-trappings. The third horse lies in the middle of the pit with his head directed to the east. Bronze tacks from his horse-trappings were found.