EXPLORATIONS OF NECROPOLIS NEAR THE VILLAGE OF RUPKITE (Metodi Daskalov – m.m.daskalov@mail.bg, Katya Trendafilova) Ninety-eight graves were explored (one of them dates to the 18th century). The location of the graves within the necropolis shows planning and marking of the burial pits. The graves were arranged in relatively straight rows from the north to south and from the east to west, while in some cases one, two or more children were buried between the adults’ graves. The burial pits are rectangular and trapezoid and their size is according to height of the dead. The main orientation is southwest – northeast. The dead persons lie on their backs oriented to the west. Their arms are either stretched alongside the body, or one or both arms are placed on the pelvis or on the abdomen. The legs are stretched. Significant number of individuals display osseous malformations due to diseases. Some 25 % of the burials contain grave goods: iron and bronze buckles, earrings, beads, hammered iron bracelets, ceramic vessels, a bone comb, etc. The person buried in grave No. 2 had a belt with iron buckle and point, alongside a small bag clasped with a small bronze buckle and a strap with a point, containing a steel and a bronze coin. A belt decoration consisting of 14 bronze elements were found in grave No. 12: a belt buckle and point, four points from additional pendant straps, buckle and point from small bag containing flint and steel, etc. The necropolis dates to the second half of the 6th century AD. Its final use could be related to the end of habitation of the neighboring Carasura during the reign of Phocas, or soon after.