EXPLORATIONS IN THE MARKELI FORTRESS NEAR THE TOWN OF KARNOBAT (Zhivko Aladzhov – aim-bas@aclubcable.com) The sondage in the southern earthen rampart was cleaned and widened. Four Thracian ritual pits discovered in 2004 and situated below the rampart were thoroughly explored and other two pits were discovered. Sherds of the Late Iron Age (5th – 1st centuries BC) were found within the pits. The western profile of the southern earthen rampart was explored. The northeastern tower of the eastern fortification wall was thoroughly explored. Stones originating from the construction, bricks, tiles and sherds were found. A house was discovered there, with metal objects and fragmentary glass bracelets found inside. The area between the northern apse of the church and the eastern fortification wall in front of it was explored. Sherds of the 13th –14th centuries were found. It was found that the length of the wall of the water reservoir from the side of the river is 7.80 m in length and 95 cm in height. A human skeleton was discovered to the west of the wall at 1.10 m in depth. A layout of a grave pit was not visible. Most likely, the burial is not related in any way to the reservoir. No material was found.