Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2026 All Rights Reserved

Archaeologists uncover an amulet bearing an inscription in Cyrillic dating from the times of Tsar Simeon the Great

Photo: BTA

A lead plate amulet bearing an inscription in Cyrillic dating from the times of Tsar Simeon the Great was discovered in the fortification "Balak Dere" near the village of Huhla, Ivaylovgrad Municipality, said Ivaylo Kanev, member of the archaeological team with National Museum of History. 

There are seven lines on the inside and four lines on the inside. The names of the supplicants, Nikola and Pavel, were successfully deciphered on the lead plate amulet, the BTA reported. The amulet was discovered in a cultural layer attributable to the beginning of the 10th century. This gives scientists reason to assume that they have found one of the earliest known Cyrillic texts. The geographically closest similar artefacts are two 10th-11th century amulets found near Kardzhali and Haskovo. According to Ivaylo Kanev, there was a Bulgarian garrison at Balak Dere during Tsar Simeon’s march on Constantinople, and the lead plate amulet belonged to his warriors. 

Translation and publication by K. Atanasov


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

85 years since return of Southern Dobrudzha to Bulgaria celebrated in Silistra

The 85 th anniversary since Southern Dobrudzha returned within the bounds of Bulgaria will be celebrated with an official ceremony on 1 October in Silistra, the Bulgarian news agency BTA reports. Representatives of the local and central..

published on 10/1/25 7:30 AM

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil meets with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Thessaloniki

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Thessaloniki, the Bulgarian Patriarchate announced.  The two discussed the centuries-old spiritual ties between the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Orthodox..

published on 9/29/25 1:32 PM

September 22, 1908: Bulgaria breaks free from Ottoman rule

On September 22, 1908, Prince Ferdinand I proclaimed Bulgaria’s independence in a manifesto, formally establishing the Third Bulgarian Kingdom. The location was chosen with care: the Church of the Forty Martyrs in the old capital, Veliko Tarnovo,..

published on 9/22/25 6:05 AM