Sun, Jul 05 2009

EXCAVATIONS IN BULGARIA TO PROVE ORIGIN OF 'CHRISTIE'S PLATE'

Tue, Nov 28 2006 13:26 CET 324 Views

Bulgarian archaeologists are starting two-week long excavations to prove the Bulgarian origin of the plate offered for sale by Christie's auction house.

Christie's offered on an auction a unique Byzantine silver plate in the beginning of November 2006. According to the auction house the plate was found in 1903 and re-sold several times. Bulgarian treasure hunter Naiden Blagnev said that he had found the plate in Bulgaria in 1999.

Bulgaria protested unsuccessfully against the auction. Still, the plate remained unsold because the prices offered was too low.

Excavation works would be carried out near Bulgaria's town of Pazardzhik, Darik Radio said. The season was inappropriate for excavations but such were needed because of the high public interest.

What is found at the excavation site so far proves the place was inhabited around fifth and sixth century AD.

An important Byzantine road passed through the region. Archaeologists expect to find pots dating back to other periods, Darik said.

The archaeologists call on Blagnev to co-operate and to show where he had found the plate.

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