ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS NEAR THE VILLAGE OF VELIKAN (Borislav Borislavov – b_borislavov@hotmail.com) Remains from structures of the 19th century were discovered in the Northern Sector: piles of fragmentary building ceramics, animal bones, a hearth, sherds, iron nails and tools, tobacco pipes, faience, coins of the second half of the 19th – beginning of the 20th centuries, a bronze craftsman’s stamp with the name of МАРКУ ДРАПОВ (Marku Drapov). The stratigraphy of the site was documented in the Central Section. Two levels of a cobble road were documented dated to the 19th century and Late Antiquity. The Late Antique level was situated over a stratum of the 4th – 3rd centuries BC. Sherds and eight coins of the 4th – 5th centuries AD were found. Material and structures of the second half of the 4th – 2nd centuries BC were discovered in Trenches В2, С2, D5, Е1-4, G1-5, H1-5, I 1-5, J1-5 and K 1-5. Debris from seven sunken-floored houses was explored. The finds from the houses comprised four bronze coins of Maroneia of c. 350 BC, a coin of Demetrius Poliorcetes, fragments from terracotta escharai and andirons, spindle whorls, loom weights, fishing hooks, small knives, flint nuclei, flakes and tools, sherds from pots, jugs, cups, dishes, bowls, kraters and dolia, animal bones. Houses Nos. 1, 4, 5 and 6 dated to the 340s BC and Houses Nos. 2, 3 and 7 dated to the 3rd – 2nd centuries BC. Three ritual pits were explored in Trenches D5/D6, containing pieces from charcoal from oak and pine, animal bones and sherds. A terracotta melting pot was found in Pit No. 2. A bronze fibula of 150 – 50 BC and bronze and silver appliqués were also discovered.