Ancient Thracian sacrificial altars unearthed!

In a remarkable archaeological find, Bulgarian archaeologists, led by Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov, have uncovered ancient sacrificial altars at the historic site of Perperikon, an ancient Thracian city nestled in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains. This discovery sheds light on religious practices from the end of the Bronze Age and early Iron Age, particularly those related to blood rituals and winemaking.

Photo Credit: Valentina Stoeva/BTA

Uncovering Thracian Rituals

The two altars, discovered in the southern part of Perperikon, had been untouched since 2016. These altars are believed to have played a crucial role in religious ceremonies dedicated to deities such as Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, and Mithras, associated with the Roman Empire. The site is rich in historical significance, and these findings provide key evidence suggesting that the great temple of Dionysus might have been part of the Perperikon complex.

According to Prof. Ovcharov, the altars were used for sacred rituals, where sacrifices, especially during the Roman era, were made to predict the future. Roman texts describe the practice of examining animal entrails to interpret divine messages, and it’s believed that small animals like goats and sheep were used in these rituals.

One of the altars stands out for its unique design—a large stone tub with a drainage hole to allow sacrificial liquids, including blood, to flow into nearby basins. These basins were essential for divination, as priests and priestesses interpreted the animal’s blood for insights and signs from the gods.

Photo Credit: Valentina Stoeva/BTA

Connections to Ancient Religious Practices

Perperikon has long been considered a major religious centre, with a history spanning over 8,000 years. Its rock-carved structures have been associated with various cultures, including the Thracians, Romans, and Byzantines. Numerous sanctuaries dedicated to gods such as Dionysus, who was central to the Orphic Mysteries, have been uncovered here, further confirming the area’s spiritual importance. The Orphic Mysteries, which originated in Thrace, were later tied to other deities like Zagreus and Sabazios, linking Perperikon to a rich tapestry of ancient religious traditions.

Prof. Ovcharov also highlighted that these altars were likely used to perform sacrifices to gods of the underworld, which involved specific rituals with black animals and strict ceremonial dress codes. While the altars were abandoned during the Middle Ages, they had been in use for centuries, marking Perperikon as a long-standing site of worship and ritual significance.

A Hub of Cultic Activity

The discovery of the sacrificial altars adds to a growing list of important finds at Perperikon. Alongside these, several temples from the Roman era have been identified, including temples dedicated to Mithras, the Ancestors, and another still unidentified deity. This suggests that the city was a bustling centre for various religious practices, making it a key site for archaeologists exploring the spiritual life of ancient Thrace.

Prof. Ovcharov remains optimistic that more significant finds will emerge, hinting that the two altars are only the beginning of what Perperikon has yet to reveal. With each new discovery, our understanding of the ancient world and its complex religious systems continues to expand.