ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS NEAR THE VILLAGE OF ZLATAR (Stela Doncheva – donchevastela@yahoo.com) The extension of the second large ditch explored in 2011 was discovered to the east and south of Complex V. It was 90 cm deep, 0.85 – 1.55 m wide and 25.40 m long. Sherds, fragmentary melting pots, bronze melts and bronze and lead objects were found in the ditch. Two hearths and three platforms of stones and clay were discovered in the eastern part of the ditch. A metallurgical kiln was explored. It was 1.20 – 1.40 m in diameter, with an opening 35 cm wide, preserved up to 45 m in height and constructed of clay. Two pits and postholes were discovered close to the kiln. The finds from the excavations comprised bronze melts, lead cuttings, slag, bronze and lead scrap, sherds (pots, dishes and amphora-like pitchers), 23 melting pots and three folles minted by Romanos I Lekapenos, Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos and Zoe Karbonopsina, and Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos and Romanos II. The production center dated to the first half of the 10th century and it covered an area of almost 4 ha; 1.5 ha has been explored so far.