ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS NEAR THE VILLAGE OF ZIMNITSA (Boni Petrunova – boni_boon@abv.bg) The site is a Late Antique and Mediaeval settlement of the 12th – 14th centuries. There is a tumulus, 50 m in diameter and 1 m in height, close to the settlement. A large quantity of pottery and building ceramics was discovered during a field survey. Sixteen sondages were carried out. Eight ritual pits of the 12th – 14th centuries, two Christian burials and a Hocker burial were discovered. Pit No. 1 contained a sacrificed dog rested with its head oriented to the south. Stones and ceramic vessels were arranged around the dog. The finds included a coin, an earring, glass bracelets, an iron mace, nails and tools.