ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS NEAR RUDOZEM (Krasimir Leshtakov – leshtakov@abv.bg) An area of 300 sq. m was explored. As it was judged by the separate sherds, during the Late Bronze Age (1600 – 1100 BC) the area along the river was occupied, most probably only during specific seasons. Sherds from the Ottoman period, iron nails, clamps, rings, etc. were found at 50 – 60 cm in depth. Remains of a building with timber walls were discovered along the road. Nails and burned wooden beams and posts were found. At the time when the building functioned, the old road followed the southern bank of the river. A sondage was carried out on the northern bank of the river. A pavement of stone slabs and rubble, part of the road that functioned before the 19th century, was documented at 50 – 60 cm in depth.