The Balkan Heritage Foundation is established by three Bulgarian archaeologists Ivan Vasilev, Nayden Prahov and Angela Pencheva. The Foundation is registered as a non governmental organization in public benefit at the Stara Zagora Regional Court.    

Official start of the Balkan Heritage Field School (BHFS) as a program of the Balkan Heritage Foundation. 

This multi-themed project with focus on documentation techniques took part for the 1^st time in & around Sofia. Students created graphic and photo records and added new data of sixMedieval churches and chapels in risk. Partners: BYC, Dragoman Municipality

The field school took place for the 2^nd time along with rescue excavations of a Roman aqueduct crossing the moat that once surrounded the Roman city Augusta Traiana, underneath the contemporary town of Stara Zagoraperformed by the Regional History Museum. Partners: BYC , RHM – Stara Zagora

The volunteers assisted the rescue excavations of an Early Iron Age site in Stara Zagora performed by the Regional History Museum. They helped with finds processing, digitizing archive cards and photographic films, editing archaeological texts & in raising public awareness on the neglected condition of the Town's Roman forum and the Europe’s oldest copper mines by cleaning them. Partners: BYC,RHM – Stara Zagora, SEEYN

The field school project took place for the 1^st time at the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis near Bitola, where archaeologists and students excavated various parts of the city's drainage system and a Late Antique basilica. Partners: BYC, NI Institute and Museum – Bitola, YCC - Bitola.

This educational trip brought the BHFS students in Augusta Traiana-Beroia-Borui project to amazing Thracian sites in Eastern Rhodopi Mountains: the sanctuary of Dionysus in Perperkion, the sanctuary of Orpheus in Tatul and the Roman villa Armira as well as Katarzyna Winery.

The workcamp involved volunteers who assisted the excavation of the ancient town of Heraclea Lyncestis and assisted the Museum team with site’s maintenance and processing of artifacts. Partners: BYC, NI Institute and Museum – Bitola, YCC - Bitola.

The field school with focus on documentation techniques and Christian Orthodox iconography took part for a 2^nd year. The students amplified the graphic and photo records of 3 medieval churches and chapels in risk. Partners: BHF, Dragoman Municipality, Church board of Balsha.

The project supported maintenance of 2 cultural heritage sites in Mezek Village: the Thracian tomb and the Neoutzikon Fortress. Volunteers cleaned the tourist area, painted benches & staircases etc. They also visited various sites in the region and assessed their potential as tourist attractions. Partners: BHF, Municipality of Svilengrad

The field school along with excavations of the remains of the monumental Early Byzantine church on Djanavara hill in Varnaattracted more than 20 students from all over the World. Along with archaeologist they restarted after 100 years the excavations and found evidence about the existing monastery compound around it. Partners: BHF, Varna RMH

The field school took place for a 2^nd year at the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, where archaeologists and students excavated a Late Antique basilica and a Roman Gymnasion with precious mosaic-flooring. It involved more than 40 students.Partners:BHF, NI Institute and Museum – Bitola, YCC - Bitola.

During the 3^rd and last year of this project students excavated the space between 2 ancient city walls that once surrounded the Roman city Augusta Traiana, and the space in and around the 15 century-Ottoman mosque where were found remains of an medieval church, Thracian ritual pits and a Roman cemeterial kiln. Partners: BHF, RHM – Stara Zagora

This educational trip brought the BHFS students in Augusta Traiana-Beroia-Borui project to amazing Thracian sites in Eastern Rhodopi Mountains: the sanctuary of Dionysus in Perperkion, the sanctuary of Orpheus in Tatul and the Roman villa Armira as well as Katarzyna Winery. 

The workshop took place in Stara Zagora and Sozopol. Guided by professional conservators through the stages of conservation & restorationof Ancient Greek and Roman pottery, students restored 7 Roman vessels from both museums’ collections. Partners: BHF, RHM – Stara Zagora, AP Excavation Team, AMSozopol

For a 3^rd time the multi-themed field school took part in Western Bulgaria. Thanks to the Fulbright Senior Specialist Program it was attended as well by the visiting professor Dr. Gene Berryhill (University of Maryland, USA). Partners: BHF, NBU, FulbrightCommission

The 1^st workshop was hosted by N.I. Stobi at the archaeological park. Participants were guided by professional conservators through the stages of the conservation & restoration of Roman and Late Roman pottery. This real conservation project resulted in a complete conservation/restoration of 8 Roman and Late Roman vessels from the Stobi’s Collection. Partners: BHF, NBU, NI Stobi

For a second year students in this field school took part in the excavations of the remains of themonumental Early Byzantine church and monastery on Djanavara hill in Varna, Bulgaria. They found more evidence about the every-day life and the end of the monastery, which was destroyed by the raid of Avars and Slavs in the early seventh century AD. Partners: BHF, Varna RMH, NBU

The field school took place for a 3rd year at the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, where archaeologists and more than 50 students excavated the space in front of the Roman theater, esp. a 5th-6th-century terrace building and a Roman 1^st -2^ndcentury building preceding the construction of the theater. Partners: BHF, NI Institute and Museum – Bitola, YCC - Bitola.

The field school project started for the 1^ST time in 2010 at Stobi - the capital of the Roman province Macedonia Secunda. Students excavated 20 Roman graves (1st century BC - 3rd century AD) with cremated and skeletal remains at the Western Necropolis (very exciting find was a grave with nine terracotta bulls) and the Temple of Issis (2^nd century AD). Partners: BHF, NBU, NI Stobi

The workshop took place in the village of Emona and the Ancient town of Sozopol, both on the Black Sea Coast. Guided by professional conservators students restored successfully 16 Ancient Greek vessels from the Sozopol Museum collection. Partners: BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM- Sozopol

For a 4^th time the multi-themed field school project took part in Bankya & Western Bulgaria. Students created graphic and photographic records andadded new data on history and artof St.Theodore Tyro church in Zimevitsa (17^th century), Bulgaria. Partners: BHF, NBU

The workshop was hosted for 2^nd time by the N.I. Stobi at the archaeological park. During the workshop participants were guided by professional conservators and employed their skills in a real conservation project that resulted in complete conservation/restoration of 6 Roman and Late Roman vessels from the Stobi’s Collection. Partners: BHF,NBU,NI Stobi

It took place at the archaeological park Stobi, North Macedonia. During the workshop participants were guided by professional conservators through the consequent stages of the conservation, restoration and documentation, as well as the history and technology of Late Roman Wall-Paintings. Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

The site keeps evidence about the earliest Neolithic farmers who migrated to Europe and neolithized the continent in the 7^th and 6^th millennium BC. The students had the opportunity to dig at an Early Neolithic settlement under their feet - due the natural erosion Neolithic layer there was just 20 to 30 cm under the present surface. Partners:BHF, RMH - Blagoevgrad, NBU, IAE - Nanterre (France)

For a 3^rd year students excavated the remains of the monumental Early Byzantine church & monastery on Djanavara hill. They found more evidence about the every-day life and the end of the monastery, which was destroyed by the raid of Avars and Slavs in the early 7^th century AD. Due the limits of the forest surrounding the excavations and the field school had to be put on hold. Partners: BHF, Varna RMH, NBU

The project took place for a 4^th year at the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, where archaeologists and students excavated the space in front of the Roman theater, esp. a 5th - 6th century terrace building and an impressive Roman 1^st -2^ndcentury building preceding the construction of the theater. Partners: BHF, NI Institute and Museum – Bitola, YCC - Bitola.

The field school project took place for the second time in Stobi - the capital of the Roman province Macedonia Secunda. Students excavated various buildings from the second half of the 6^th century AD in the Northern Residential Area of the ancient city. Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

This year started one of most popular projects in the BHFS. It took place at the Ancient Greek, Late Antique and Medieval sacred area of Apollonia Pontica/Sozopolon St. Kirik island in the Black Sea. Archaeologists and students seeked together for the ancient temple of Appollo and the pedestal of his colossal bronze statue. Partners: BHF, AP ExcavationTeam, AM-Sozopol. NBU

The workshop took place in Emona& Sozopol on the Black Sea Coast for a 3^rd year. Students were guided by professional conservators through the stages of the conservation & restoration, as well as the history and technology of Ancient Greek and Hellenistic pottery. They restored many Ancient Greek vessels from the museum collection. Partners: BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM- Sozopol.NBU

The multi-themed field school took place for a 5^th time in W. Bulgaria, with participation of visiting professor Alexnader Gabov (QU, Canada) teaching RTI&MSI. Students created newgraphic and photographic records on history and art of St. Nikola church in Kalotina (14^th century) & St.Georgi Church in Tcheparlintsi, Bulgaria. Partners: BHF,NBU,CSMO, QU, Canada

The workshop was hosted for a 3^rd time by the N.I. Stobi at the archaeological park. During the workshop participants were guided by professional conservators through the stages of conservation & restoration of Roman and Late Roman pottery. They employed their skills in a real conservation project that resulted in complete restoration of 10 Roman and Late Roman vessels from the Stobi Collection. Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

It took place at the archaeological park Stobi, Macedonia. During the workshop participants were guided by professional conservators through the consequent stages of the conservation & restoration, as well as the history and technology of Roman Mosaics. As a result a large section of the mosaic in the Theodossian Palace was conservated. Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

The students had the opportunity to dig at an Early Neolithic settlement (6000-5500 BC) for 2^nd year just under their feet - due the natural erosion Neolithic layer there was just 20 to 30cm under the present surface. They found a ditch and remains of dwellings. Partners: BHF, RMH - Blagoevgrad, NBU, IAE -Nanterre (France).

The field school took place for a 5th and last year. Archaeologists and students continued excavating the space in front of the Roman theater, esp. a 5th-6th century terrace building andthe impressive Roman 1^st -2^ndcentury building preceding the construction of the theater. Partners: BHF, NI Institute and Museum – Bitola, YCC - Bitola.

The field school took place for the 3^rd year in Stobi - the capital of Macedonia Secunda. Students excavated various buildings surrounding the “Semi Circular Square” (presumably shops and stores) in the Northern Residential Area of the ancient city dating to 6^th century AD. Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

For a 2^nd year this projects took place at the Ancient Greek, Late Antique & Medieval sacred area of Apollonia Pontica/Sozopolon St. Kirik Island. Archaelogists and students seeked together for the ancient temple of Appollo and the pedestal of his colossal bronze statue and found beside Late Antique graves, Archaic bothroi & walls remains. Partners: BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM- Sozopol (Bulgaria).NBU

The workshop took place in Emona& Sozopol for a 4th year. Guided by professional conservators through thestages of the conservation & restoration,the history and technology of Ancient Greek &Hellenistic pottery, students restored 21 Ancient Greek vessels from the Sozopol museum collection. Partners: BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM- Sozopol,NBU

The project took place for a 5^th time in W. Bulgaria, with participation of visiting professor Alexnader Gabov (QU, Canada) teaching Reflectance-Transformation Imaging. Students addednew data on history and art of St. Nikola church in Kalotina (14^th century) and St. Petka Church in Balsha, Bulgaria. Partners: BHF,NBU,CSMO, (QU, Canada

The workshop was hosted for a 4^th time by the N.I. Stobi at the archaeological park. During the workshop participants were guided by professional conservators through the stages of conservation & restoration of Roman and Late Roman pottery. They employed their skills in a real conservation project that resulted in complete restoration of 20 Roman and Late Roman vessels from the Stobi Collection. Partners: BHF, NBU, NI Stobi

It took place at the archaeological park Stobi for a 2^nd year. During the workshop participants were guided by professional conservators through the stages of the conservation, restoration, the history & technology of Roman Mosaics. As a result a large section of the mosaic in the Theodossian Palace was documented and conservated. Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

For a third year the students in this field school project excavated the Early Neolithic settlement unearthing its ditch and dwellings as well as a grave that contained a baby skeleton. Partners: BHF, RMH - Blagoevgrad, NBU, IAE -Nanterre (France).

A new topic and another excavation site type in our program – this Ancient Greek Emporion attracted our field school and students with the opportunity to explore the religious life and the interactions between Ancient Greeks and Thracians there. . Partners: BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, AM Septemvri, Pistiros Excavation Team, NBU

Another new topic and the first Tell in our program. Fieldwork takes place at Copper age layers of Tell Yunatsite - one of the first European urban settlements (4900-4100 BC) seeking for the reasons for its decline. Amazingly preserved 6000 y/o wooden platforms surprised the team and students. Partners: BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, Tell Yunatsite Excavation Team, NBU

The field school project took place for the fourth year in Stobi - the capital of the Roman province Macedonia Secunda. Students excavated various buildings in the Northern Residential Area of the ancient city dating to Late Roman period. Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

For a third year this projects took place at the Ancient Greek, Late Antique and Medieval sacred area of Apollonia Pontica/Sozopolon St. Kirik Island in the Black Sea. Archaelogists and students seeked together for the ancient temple of Appollo and the pedestal of his colossal bronze statueand found beside the walls remains rich Archaic bothroi. Partners: BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM- Sozopol.NBU

The workshop took placein Emona& Sozopol for a fifth year. Students were guided by professional conservators through the stages of conservation & restoration, the history & technology of Ancient Greek and Hellenistic pottery. They restored 21 and documented many more Ancient Greek vessels from the Sozopol museum collection. Partners:BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM - Sozopol. NBU

The project took place for a 6^th time in W. Bulgaria, with participation of visiting professor Alexnader Gabov (QU, Canada) teaching Reflectance-Transformation Imaging. Students addednew data on history and art of St. Nikola church in Kalotina (14^th century) and St. Petka Church in Balsha, Bulgaria. Partners: BHF,NBU,CSMO, QU, Canada

It took place at the archaeological park Stobi for a 3^rd year. During the workshop participants were guided by professional conservators through the stages of the conservation, restoration, the history & technology of Roman Mosaics. As a result a large section of the mosaic in the Theodossian Palace was documented and conservated. Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

The workshop was hosted for a 5^th time by the N.I. Stobi at the archaeological park. During the workshop participants were guided by professional conservators through the stages of conservation & restoration of Roman and Late Roman pottery. They employed their skills in a real conservation project that resulted in complete restoration of 20 Roman and Late Roman vessels from the Stobi Collection. Partners: BHF, NBU, NI Stobi

For a fourth year the students in this field school project excavated the Early Neolithic settlement unearthing its ditch and dwellings as well as a grave that contained a baby skeleton. Partners: BHF, RMH - Blagoevgrad, NBU

The workshop was hosted for a 5^th time by the N.I. Stobi at the archaeological park. During the workshop participants were guided by professional conservators through the stages of conservation & restoration of Roman and Late Roman Glass. Partners: BHF, NBU, NI Stobi

The field school project took place for the fifth year in Stobi - the capital of the Roman province Macedonia Secunda. Students excavated various buildings in the Northern Residential Area of the ancient city dating to Late Roman period. Partners:BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

For a fourth year this project took place at the Ancient Greek, Late Antique and Medieval sacred area of Apollonia Pontica/Sozopolon St. Kirik Island in the Black Sea. Archaelogists and students seeked together for the ancient temple of Appollo and the pedestal of his colossal bronze statueand found beside the walls remains rich Archaic bothroi. Partners: BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM- Sozopol.NBU

Another new topic and the first Tell in our program. Fieldwork takes place at Copper age layers of Tell Yunatsite - one of the first European urban settlements (4900-4100 BC) seeking for the reasons for its decline. Amazingly preserved 6000 y/o wooden platforms surprised the team and students. Partners: BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, Tell Yunatsite Excavation Team, NBU

A new topic and another excavation site type in our program – this Ancient Greek Emporion attracted our field school and students with the opportunity to explore the religious life and the interactions between Ancient Greeks and Thracians there. . Partners: BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, AM Septemvri, Pistiros Excavation Team, NBU

The workshop took place in Emona & Sozopol for a sixth year. Students were guided by professional conservators through the stages of conservation & restoration, the history & technology of Ancient Greek and Hellenistic pottery. They restored 21 and documented many more Ancient Greek vessels from the Sozopol museum collection.    

Partners: BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM - Sozopol. NBU

The Fresco Hunt expedition was conducted for a 7th consecutive year in the regions of Sofia. 

Partners: BHF,NBU,CSMO, QU, Canada

The workshop happened for a 6th time within the borders of the Archaeological reserve of Stobi.    

 Partners: BHF, NBU, NI Stobi

Fourth Workshop for Conservation and Documentation of Roman Mosaics and Wall-Paintings. As a result, a large section of the mosaic in the Theodossian Palace was documented and conservated.    

Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

5th edition of the field school project The Birth of Europe excavating the Early Neolithic settlement unearthing its ditch and dwellings near the village of Ilindentsi.    

Partners: BHF, RMH - Blagoevgrad, NBU

Digging up an ancient Necropolis next to the beautiful Black Seaside and discovering fresh finds that tell stories of thousands of years! This is one way to put it about the feeling on the 4th edition of the Apollonia Pontica Excavation Project.    

Partners: BHF, AP ExcavationTeam, AM-Sozopol. NBU

Six-year-old field school now finishing in Stobi - the capital of the Roman province Macedonia Secunda. Students excavated various buildings in the Northern Residential Area of the ancient city dating to Late Roman period.    

Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

Third year of Tell Yunatsite Excavations going stronger! Seeking Europe's First Civilizations near Pazardzhik.

Partners: BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, Tell Yunatsite Excavation Team, NBU

A hotspot for wine & culture, a hotspot where Thrace meets Greece, a hotspot of conflict. The 3rd year for Ancient Greeks in the Land of Dionysos - Excavation of Emporion Pistiros, near Septemvri, ended in a lot of satisfied future archaeologists

Partners: BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, AM Septemvri, Pistiros Excavation Team, NBU

”Fresco-Hunting” to Medieval Balkan Churches' 8th consecutive photo research expedition was concluded this year.

Partners: BHF,NBU

Fifth-year of the Workshop for Conservation and Documentation of Roman Mosaics and Wall-Paintings. As a result, a large section of the mosaic in the Theodossian Palace was documented and conservated.

Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

7th workshop hosted In Stobi by the N.I. Stobi at the archaeological park. During the workshop participants were guided by professional conservators through the stages of conservation & restoration of Roman and Late Roman Glass.    

Partners: BHF, NBU, NI Stobi

For a sixth year the field school project The Birth of Europe near Ilidentsi teaches the basics of archaeology within the context of the Neolithic Settlement.   

Partners: BHF, RMH - Blagoevgrad, NBU

5th year of Sozopol's Treasure St. Kirik Island, where the Apollonia Pontica Excavations took place. 

Partners: BHF, AP ExcavationTeam, AM-Sozopol. NBU

The 4th edition of the Yunatsite Excavation Project had taken place near Pazardzhik. This year's highlight - The Golden Bead!

Partners: BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, Tell Yunatsite Excavation Team, NBU

More finds in the Land of Dionysos. Fourth excavation project with the BHFS of Emporion Pistiros, near Septemvri.

Partners: BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, AM Septemvri, Pistiros Excavation Team, NBU   

7th field school now finishing in Stobi - the capital of the Roman province Macedonia Secunda.

Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

The first field school held in the site of Prehistoric Bresto giving participants a chance to excavate a site ranging from the Late Bronze to Early Iron Age whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Pirin Mountains hosted in the village of Banya.

Partners: BHF,NBU, LMU, IFR

The very first Bona Mansio - Roman Road Station on Via Diagonalis field school hosted by Villa Terres in Karabunar and conducting daily excavations to the Mansio Lissae site 5 kms aways from the small town of Vetren. A freshly dig, worked by fresh students and archaeologists.    

Partners: BHF, AM - „Prof. Mieczyslaw Domaradzki",NBU

9th generation of Fresco Hunters was trained as they concluded their Photo Research Expedition to the Medieval Balkan Churches in Sofia region of W. Bulgaria

Partners: BHF,NBU

Another inspiring workshop accommodating with new abilities its inspiring students & volunteers ready to use what they've gained in the fields of cultural heritage. 9 years of the Workshop for Conservation, Restoration and Documentation of Roman Pottery and Glass were reached this year.    

Partners: BHF, NBU, NI Stobi

The first series of Workshops for Interventive & Preventive Conservation of Metal, Paper, and Textiles was held in Zakynthos, the hometown of Zakynthos' Ecclesiastical Museum, the Archive and Library of Zakynthos as well as to the world-famous Shipwreck (Navagio) beach.

Partners: BHF, NBU, TEII

Sixth edition of the Workshop for Conservation and Documentation of Roman Mosaics and Wall-Paintings. As a result, a large section of the mosaic in the Theodossian Palace was documented and conservated.

Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

Seven years, seven BHFS fieldschools held in Ilindentsi on the small but extremely significant Neolithic Settlement.

Partners: BHF, RMH - Blagoevgrad, NBU

The 8th workshop for Conservation and Documentation of Ancient Greek Pottery with finds from the Apollonia Pontica Excavation project was held again correlating with the excavation project this year. 

Partners: BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM - Sozopol. NBU

The first ever BHFS project happening on Montenegrin soil, in the Classical Roman ruin of Duklja. In it its' first students had the opportunity to take part in an ongoing Roman dig, to learn about the Roman conquest, archaeology, and civilization of the eastern Adriatic.

Partners: BHF,NBU, UNCG, PGM

8th field school now finishing in the Archaeological Park Stobi - the capital of the Roman province Macedonia Secunda.

Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

For a sixth consecutive year the BHFS team of students, volunteers and archaeologists returned to the naval base of St. Kirik to excavate and fulfill a new season in the Sozopol-based Apollonia Pontica Excavations.   

Partners: BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM-Sozopol. NBU

5th year of Tell Yunatsite Excavations – Seeking Europe's First Civilization near Pazardzhik.   

Partners: BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, Tell Yunatsite Excavation Team, NBU

More coins but still no wine. The 5th edition of Ancient Greeks in the Land of Dionysos - Excavation of Emporion Pistiros concluded near Septemvri. 

Partners: BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, AM Septemvri, Pistiros Excavation Team, NBU   

The second year of the Bresto: Digging in the Time of Troy excavation project held in the site of Prehistoric Bresto giving participants a chance to excavate a site ranging from the Late Bronze to Early Iron Age whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Pirin Mountains hosted in the village of Banya.   

Partners: BHF,NBU, LMU, IFR

Second year of the Roman Archaeology project Bona Mansio - Roman Road Station on Via Diagonalis.

Partners: BHF, AM - „Prof. Mieczyslaw Domaradzki", NBU

”Fresco-Hunting” Photo Research Expedition to Medieval Balkan Churches turned 10 years old with the expedition going to a new place such as the Bottom Nishava river region of Tran, along with a professional cultural heritage photographer Mario Vazza, the "hunters" had a fantastic learning experience in W. Bulgaria's wilderness.    

Partners: BHF,NBU,CSMO

The Birth of Europe: Excavations of the Neolithic Settlement Ilindentsi happened for the 8th time granting the students and volunteers of the field school project to excavate whilst living in the village of Ilindentsi located in the environs of the wild Southwestern Bulgarian mountains.   

Partners: BHF, RMH - Blagoevgrad, NBU

2nd year of the Workshops for Interventive & Preventive Conservation of Metal, Paper, and Textiles was held in Zakynthos, in the highly specialized team of the Ionian University - Division Conservation of Antiquities & Works of Art.

Partners: BHF, NBU, TEII

Seventh-year of the Workshop for Conservation and Documentation of Roman Mosaics and Wall-Paintings hosted in the Archaeological Reserve of Stobi. As a result, a large section of the mosaic in the Theodossian Palace was documented and conservated.

Partners: BHF, NBU, NI Stobi

Ten Roman-dedicated strong years towards the conservation and restoration of pottery and glass artifacts were hit in the Archaeological Reserve of Stobi this year.

Partners: BHF, NBU, NI Stobi

The year of 2018 brought to the Balkan Heritage its first-ever BHFS Underwater Archaeology Field School in the Black Sea.

Partners: BHF, NBU, CUA, IFR

The second edition of Romans in Illyricum - Doclea Excavations near Podgorica just concluded.

Partners: BHF,NBU, UNCG, PGM

Workshop for Conservation of Ancient Greek Pottery was held in Sozopol this year for the 9th time!

Partners:BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM - Sozopol. NBU

Seven years of seaside Ancient Greek archaeology, we from the Balkan Heritage Foundation only wish that we could have inspired every single participant ever setting foot on the island of St. Kirik at the Apollonia Pontica Archaeology Field School in Sozopol.    

Partners: BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM-Sozopol. NBU

Tell Yunatsite Excavations – Seeking Europe's First Civilization happening for the 6th consecutive year near Pazardzhik.

Partners:BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, Tell Yunatsite Excavation Team, NBU

9th field school now finishing in the Archaeological Park Stobi - the capital of the Roman province Macedonia Secunda.

Partners:BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

Six consecutive years of Ancient Greeks in the Land of Dionysos - Excavation of Emporion Pistiros were just reached thanks to all of our students who keep coming back for this adventure and all of our friends and partners.

Partners:BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, AM Septemvri, Pistiros Excavation Team, NBU

The Balkan Heritage Field School excavated the Mansio Lissae near the small town Vetren for a third consecutive year.    

Partners: BHF, AM - „Prof. Mieczyslaw Domaradzki",NBU

This multi-themed project with a focus on documentation techniques applied at medieval church sites had interesting developments in the 2019 season. Research by the students on one of the sites has discovered fragments of late medieval murals. This new insight dates the church as older than previously thought.

Partners:BHF,NBU,

Students had the opportunity to conserve textiles from 19th-century churches and monasteries on the island of Zakynthos, books and paper archival material, and folkloristic metal artifacts. All conservation practice was done alongside the highly specialized conservation team of the Technological Educational Institute of Ionian Islands.

Partners: BHF, NBU, TEII

This was the 2nd exciting underwater excavation year for Nessebar's team of newly trained underwater archaeologists who found new parts of Hellenistic and Early Byzantine walls. Epigraphic research in Nessebar continued and RTI was used to more deeply document ship graffiti in the medieval church of St. Stephen church. 

Partners:BHF, NBU, CUA, IFR

This year nothing was classic about the excavation at the Classical Roman ruin of Duklja. The usually sunny and arid region of Montenegro took a wet and rainy turn. During the first few days of the excavation students and archaeologists alike excavated beneath military tents in a sucessful effort to win the war with rainy weather. Among the exciting finds was a mosaic of a bird and a panther, unearthed by students. 

Partners: BHF,NBU, UNCG, PGM, PM

The 11th season of the BHFS Workshop for Conservation of Roman Pottery and Glass in Stobi finished this year. During the workshop participants were guided by professional conservators and employed their skills in a real conservation project that resulted in complete conservation/restoration of 6 Roman and Late Roman vessels from the Stobi’s Collection.    

Partners: BHF, NBU, NI Stobi

Taking place at the archaeological park Stobi, North Macedonia, participant activities focused mainly on the mosaic floor in the House of Parthenius (4th century CE). Extensive documentation was done on the mosaic pre-conservation, after which participants worked to stabilize and clean the mosaic for conservation.    

Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

In the sacred area of Apollonia Pontica (modern-day Sozopolon), St.Kirik Island students excavated the ancient temple of Apollo. The students continued to add to evidence of Ancient Greek, Late Antique and Medieval activity at the site and for the first time uncovered clear evidence of sacral continuity during the Roman period. Apollonia Pontica Archaeology Field School's 8th-year edition ended up with a party prequel of which is an amazing exhibition that showcased all of the volunteers' work throughout the years, prequel of which is exactly that hard work.   

Partners:BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM-Sozopol, NBU

The field school project took place in Stobi - the capital of the Roman province Macedonia Secunda. Students excavated various buildings in the northern residential area of the ancient city. Further excavation of one of the buildings that initially showed evidence of being a jail shows that it previously may have been a temple.   

 Partners: BHF, NBU,NI Stobi

Students were guided by professional conservators through the stages of conservation & restoration, as well as the history and technology of Ancient Greek and Hellenistic pottery. Among the ceramic vessels were several fragmented and burnt vases from a ritual fireplace in the ancient Greek necropolis (6th – 4th century BCE) of Apollonia Pontica. The results from the restored and conservated historic objects were shown in an exhibition organized by BHF in the Old Town Quarter of Sozopol.   

Partners: BHF, AP Excavation Team, AM - Sozopol. NBU

The archaeological season of 2019 was one of the most rewarding for this field school held on the prehistoric settlement mound Yunatsite, Pazardzhik district, Bulgaria. With record attendance and passionate students the excavation progressed and allowed for the differentiation of several levels of habitation and alteration of a copper age building..   

Partners: BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, Tell Yunatsite Excavation Team, NBU

Key finds this season in Djanavara include numerous Late antiquity bronze coins, and several examples of beautifully decorated clay lamps, one in particularly good condition came from a floor level within the ground floor of the two-story building. Supplemented by the discovery of a tributary branch joining in from a southerly direction which might confirm the suspicions of the team that further buildings lie under the woodland to the south of the current excavation area!    

Partners: BHF, Varna RMH

A hotspot for wine & culture, a hotspot where Ancient Thrace meets Ancient Greece, a hotspot of trade destroyed by conflict. This year in addition to excavation work students used RTI to take a look at a variety of finds. One such find was an amphora handle, RTI revealed a scratched in image of a fish and ship invisible to the naked eye. 

Partners: BHF, RMH- Pazardzhik, AM Septemvri, Pistiros Excavation Team, NBU

Bona sera from the Bona Mansio excavation site! This year excavations continued to uncover sectors around the eastern gate and tower of the Late antiquity fortification, with graves and a 6th century CE building being notable discoveries of the 2019 season.

Partners: BHF, AM - „Prof. Mieczyslaw Domaradzki", NBU