ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS NEAR THE VILLAGE OF ZLATAR (Stela Doncheva – donchevastela@yahoo.com) Proto-Bulgarian sherds, fragments from melting-pots and metal objects were found on the surface of the terrain. A trench was carried out. Pottery, lead and bronze melts, lead production models, a belt buckle, an earring and appliqués were found. A circular metallurgical kiln was discovered at 50 – 60 cm in depth. Its foundation was built with stones and the upper part was constructed with clay. A pit filled with charcoal, two sherds and several fragments of wattle-and-daub, was discovered to the south of the kiln. A hearth was explored. Second metallurgical kiln was documented to the west of the hearth. Fragments from melting-pots were found. A third metallurgical kiln constructed with stones was discovered in the western part of the workshop and two pits were explored to the southeast of it. Postholes, 6 – 10 cm in diameter and 15 – 20 cm in depth, were documented. They supported the walls and the roof of the workshop, which was situated at 10 – 12 m to the south of the third workshop explored in 2008. The finds from the excavations included appliqués, lead and bronze production models, crosses, seals, earrings and finger-rings. Some of the objects were scraps. Two small iron hammers were found. Two folles of Leo VI the Wise and of Constantine VII and Zoe Karbonopsina, along with the coins found during the previous archaeological seasons, indicated that the proto-Bulgarian production center dated to the first half of the 10th century.