EXPLORATIONS IN THE BOTANICAL GARDEN NEAR VARNA (Hristo Kuzov – h.kouzov@abv.bg) The aim of the explorations was the exhibition of the Late Antique tomb dug into the ground. It is rectangular and barrel-vaulted, oriented east-west. The floor consists of mortar plastered over a layer of rubble. No remains of burial or grave goods were found. The walls are built of roughly cut stones with a bonding medium of mortar. The joints are plastered. The vault is constructed of stones and bricks. The entrance is from the west and consists of four blocks, the lower one serving as a threshold. The entrance is closed with a stone slab. There is an iron ring attached to the outer side of the slab, which was used for a handle. Presumably, the monument was a family tomb that was reused for multiple burials. The inner size of the tomb is 2.70 m in length, 2.40 m in width and 1.85 m in height. The entrance is 85 cm by 55 cm. Two tegulae arranged as a pent-roof were found at 3 m to the west of the tomb, at 1.65 m in depth. A child skeleton, 72 cm in height and oriented to the west, was discovered under the tegulae. The hands were placed on the pelvis. The child is three years and a half old. No grave goods were found. The tomb and the burial are Early Christian.