RESCUE EXCAVATIONS IN THE KRUSHAKA LOCALITY NEAR THE VILLAGE OF VRATITSA (Krasimir Leshtakov – leshtakov@yahoo.com) The excavations in the Krushaka locality to the East of Vratitsa were conducted in 2003 – 2004. A prehistoric settlement was discovered here, situated on a hill with some springs to the South. The whole area of the site is not less than 3 ha. It seems that the settlement had an oval lay out. A small valley is situated to the West and from this side a stone-built rampart and fosse seems to have defended the settlement. To the East was a similar: rampart, fosse and stockade. The occupation stratum is up to 50 cm in thickness and consists of a single well-defined construction horizon. The houses had earthen walls, while stones were used, forming horizontal courses well preserved in some places. Postholes up to 40 – 50 cm in thickness were discovered under the remains of the walls. Fireplaces were a typical element of the domestic interiors, while some of the houses had more than one construction period. The settlement had a very clear lay out. The excavated area was not densely built-up. The houses were built in separate groups, lying at different distances from each other. Streets with various widths divided the residential districts, while most impressive was the central street paved with gravel and 9 m in width. The farm buildings were concentrated in the eastern part of the settlement. The finds and the pottery discovered during the excavation date the settlement to the Late Neolithic period, i.e. to the second half of the 6th and early 5th millennia BC. The settlement was demolished as a result of conflagration, although there were some minor attempts to revive the settlement after the fire.