EXPLORATIONS OF THE HARMANA FORTRESS NEAR THE VILLAGE OF GOLITSA (Ventsislav Dinchev – vdintchev@abv.bg, Veselka Katsarova, Hristo Kuzov, Zdravko Dimitrov) The Harmana fortress, which is the central one in a fortified complex of three fortresses interconnected with barrage fortification walls, was explored. The cultural stratum is tiny and three occupation periods can be specified. The first period dates to the 4th century AD and precedes the construction of the fortress. The absence of monumental architectural remains testifies that buildings with light construction existed in that period. The second period is related to building of the fortress, which has an octagonal layout. The length of the fortification wall is almost 400 m and the protected area is c. 1.2 ha. The width of the fortification wall is 2.60 – 2.65 m. Remains of pentagonal tower with an outer staircase are located in the western angle of the fortress. Circular towers were located in the southwestern, southern and northern angles. The sondages carried out in front of the northern and the southern towers showed that the fortress and the adjacent barrage fortification walls were synchronous. The width of the walls of the towers and the barrage fortification walls reached 3.25 m. Remains of a building, most likely barracks, are situated in the centre of the fortress. According to the coins found, the building of the fortress dates to the first half of the 5th century AD, presumably the early years of the reign of Theodosius II, while the conflicts with the Ostgoths during the 470s and 480s were related to its end, which was marked by a conflagration. The building reconstructions during the last occupation period were minor. Most likely, in the end of the 5th century AD the military garrison that protected the fortress was replaced by federates. The finds of that period include coins of the 6th century AD, the latest one minted by Justinus II and Sophia.

EXPLORATIONS NEAR THE VILLAGE OF GOLITSA (Ventsislav Dinchev – vdintchev@abv.bg, Hristo Kuzov) A pentagonal tower-gate was discovered in sector A1. It is known as ‘The Western Gate of Haemus’ in the historical sources. The tower-gate measures 17.50 m by 13.50 m. Its walls are 3.15 m in thickness. The inner entrance is constructed along the longitudinal axis of the tower-gate. The outer entrance is on the northern front side. The entrances are 3 – 3.70 m in width and had two-wing gates. There are pavements with slabs at the entrances. The staircases to the upper floors of the tower-gate are situated from the both sides of the inner entrance. The northern staircase is 1.60 m wide. The fortress was built in the beginning of the 5th century AD. Coins minted in AD 383 – 395 serve as terminus post quem. The building, which was registered in 2005, was explored in sector A5. The foundations of two pillars, measuring 1.15 m by 70 cm and 95 cm by 60 cm, were discovered. A coin of the second half of the 5th century AD serves as terminus post quem for the construction of the building. The finds include coins, the latest ones dated to the first half of the 6th century AD, iron slag and a piece of iron mill-bar. A forge existed there. The double tower of the fortification wall to the south of the central fortress was explored in sector B. The tower is hexagonal and measures 22.20 m by 9.20 m. The walls are 1.60 m in thickness and are constructed in opus mixtum. A pillar with spiral staircase to the second floor of the tower was explored. The second floor was at c. 3.40 m in height. The entrance of the tower is in the inner section of its northern wall and is 1.05 – 1.30 m wide. The tower had a roof covered with tegulae and imbrices. The fortification wall is 3.15 m in thickness. A coin minted in AD 378 – 383 was found in the emplectum of the wall. Two Christian graves of the 10th – 12th centuries were discovered to the west of the central fortress.