TEMPLUM IOVIS (Stoyanka Dimova – taniadimova1968@abv.bg) In 1977 – 1978 archaeological excavations were carried out on the site. Part of a Late Antique basilica was discovered. Two parallel walls oriented east – west, respectively 16.50 m and 25 m in length, were explored. The distance between the walls is 11 m. The walls are built of uneven stones bonded with mortar and are 1.25 – 1.30 m wide, while their foundations are 3.30 m wide. Architectural elements were discovered: columns, bases, capitals and stone plates from facing. The building dates to the 4th – 6th centuries AD. In 2007 two sondages were carried out. Fragmentary Late Antique building ceramics were found in sondage No. 1. Two walls from the building were partly discovered. The earliest wall is 1.30 m wide and was explored at 4 m in length. The later wall is part of an apse and steps on the earlier one. It is built of uneven stones bonded with mortar and is more than 2.50 m wide. Fragmentary Late Antique building ceramics and a marble base were found in sondage No. 2. The extension of the earlier wall, explored in sondage No. 1, was also discovered. Most likely, a building with rectangular lay-out initially existed on the site. During the Late Antiquity the building was reconstructed: an apse, which stepped on the leveled walls of the earlier building, was added from the eastern side. During the 4th – 6th centuries AD, the Roman mansio Templum Іovis, which was recorded in the Tabula Peutingeriana and was situated on Via Pontica, extended and became a prosperous fortified town.