Mogilan mound (also known as Mogilanska mound or Mogilanska mogila) is a burial mound (tumulus) located in the center of Vratsa, Bulgaria. It dates to the Classical antiquity period, approximately the 4th century BC.
Archaeological Excavations
During excavations conducted in 1965–1966, three stone-built tombs were discovered within the mound. Tomb No. 2 was found intact and contained a rich collection of artifacts. It consists of an anteroom and a burial chamber. In the anteroom, archaeologists uncovered a chariot and the remains of a sacrificed horse, whose harness included a complete set of silver decorations. The burial chamber contained a gold wreath and gold earrings, a gilded silver knee pad bearing an image of the great mother goddess, a set of magic figurines, and various vessels and objects made of silver, bronze, and ceramics. Some of the vessels bear the name of the Odrysian ruler Cotys I.
The other two tombs had been looted in antiquity and yielded only a small number of objects, including a gold and a silver jug.
Historical Significance
The mound is associated with the Triballi, an ancient tribe that inhabited the region. It is believed that prominent members of the Triballi ruling dynasty were buried in these tombs during the 4th century BC.
Location
The mound is situated at coordinates 43°12′3″N 23°33′3″E, in the center of Vratsa, Vratsa Province, Bulgaria.
Artifacts
The artifacts recovered from the Mogilan mound are housed in the Regional Historical Museum of Vratsa. The treasure is sometimes referred to as the Vratsa Gold Treasure or the Mogilanska Mound Treasure.
