ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS NEAR THE VILLAGE OF MANOLE (Kostadin Kisyov – kostadin_kissiov@abv.bg, Sophia Hristeva) The tumulus was 125 – 130 m in diameter and 21 m in height. Sondage No. 1 was carried out in its southeastern periphery. Fragments from bricks of the Roman period were found and three ritual pits were explored. The walls of Pit 1 were burned and it was sealed with fragmentary wattle-and-daub. The pit contained sherds and a colonial bronze coin of Fulvia Plautilla minted in Nicopolis ad Istrum. The walls of Pit 2 were burned and it was sealed with fragmentary wattle-and-daub, bricks and roof-tiles. The pit contained two ceramic vessels and a terracotta spindle whorl. The walls of Pit 3 were burned and it was sealed with fragmentary wattle-and-daub. The pit contained sherds of the Roman period. Two bronze coins of Aurelian and a bronze coin of Constantius II were discovered at 70 cm to the south of the ritual pits. Sondage No. 2 was carried out in the eastern periphery of the tumulus. Fragments from bricks and roof-tiles of the Roman period were found.