RESCUE EXCAVATIONS NEAR THE VILLAGE OF CHEPINTSI (Metodi Daskalov – m.m.daskalov@mail.bg) Sondages were carried out on an area of 190 – 200 sq. m. A small tumulus was registered and explored in Sondage I. It has an almost oval layout and measures 6,80 – 7,20 m by 6 – 6,20 m. The height of the tumulus is 1,25 – 1,30 m. The tumular embankment consists of earth and stones. More than 100 sherds of different vessels were found among the stones. The sherds come from kitchen- and tableware and from big vessels, most likely used for transportation and storage of food and liquids. In addition, single sherds were found under the pile of stones. The surface of part of the sherds has incised or plastic decoration. Chronologically and typologically, the pottery is homogenous and it dates the construction of the tumulus to the Late Bronze Age (1600 – 1000 BC). Synchronous fragmentary pottery was found during the exploration of another site located nearby and during the field survey of the slope situated opposite the tumulus. No burial constructions were discovered during the excavation of the tumulus.