Colonia Ulpia Traiana Ratiaria is considered one of the most important Roman and Early Byzantine centres at the Lower Danube. It was established in the 1st century AD as a Roman military camp and a civilian settlement which grew around it. In 106 AD the emperor Trajan founded five colonies, one of which is Ratiaria. Colonies were cities with highest degree of autonomy, each of which represents a model of Rome itself. The full name of the city is known from an inscription dated in 125 AD – “Colonia Ulpia Traiana Ratiaria”. In the 2nd and 3rd century Ratiaria is prosperous city organized in Italian model. It is a great craft and trade centre - here lies an important customs point.

Unfortunately, the last 20 years instead to be an object of scientist researches and touristic attraction the place is a scene of treasure-hunters’ invasion and illegal traffic of cultural artefacts. In 2009 the Bulgarian Archaeological Association (BAA) started campaign: “Help to preserve the biggest archaeological site in Northern Bulgaria – Colonia Ulpia Traiana Ratiaria”. More than 600 scientists from all over the world supported the petition for saving Ratiaria. Materials about the cultural catastrophe in Bulgaria were published in “Current World Archaeology”, “Past Horizons”, and “Rescue. British Archaeological Trust”.

Only for 2 years the site was visited by more than 50 foreign students from USA, Canada, Australia, UK, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Russia etc. “I had never seen such a large Archaeological site before apart from the Great Pompeii. - Says Byron Jones, student in Archaeology in Dublin, Ireland - Ratiaria is Bulgaria's Pompeii I feel in terms of scale and size. Walking through the site was an experience I will never forget.” Dylan Feuerbacher from San Antonio, Texas wrote to BAA: “Ever since I left I’ve been fascinated and curious about Ratiaria”.

In 2012 the archaeological digs will focus on the discovered in course of the last season decumanus maximius (the main street of the city) and Temple of Asclepius. Along with practical work at the site the students will gain experience in Latin Epigraphy, Art History, Conservation and Restoration of discovered buildings and artifacts. Several experts in Roman Archaeology will give lectures during the course. In addition the students will have chance to visit some of the best preserved Roman towns in the area (including Bulgaria and neighboring Serbia).

The cost of the field school covers room and board. Accommodation is in houses in village Archar, which offers shared double-rooms with bathrooms, hot and cold running water, television and i-net.

The archaeological site is located in the modern North-West Bulgaria near the town of Vidin. Vidin may be reached by both bus and train from Sofia (Bulgaria). The nearest air terminal is Sofia (Bulgaria, 200 km).

Ratiaria field school will carried out for one month. The program includes 20 working days on the archaeological site, 3 days lectures and 3 excursions.

The work in the site will include digging, brushing and cleaning in the morning and washing, sorting and drawing the findings in the afternoon. The program includes three lectures to be read every Wednesday in the afternoon.

• Setting out a Grid - Plane Table Drawing;
• Leveling;
• Contour surveying using a Theodolite; Trowelling, planning and recording of archaeological features;
• Architectural survey;
• Context sheet recording;
• Artifact identification;
• Archaeological photography.
• Artifact retrieval, identification and recording procedures;
• Finds processing and cataloguing;
• Analysis of finds;
• Aerial photography;
• Geophysical survey;
• Conservation and Restoration;
• Illustration of archaeological artifacts;
• Latin Epigraphy - How to read the Latin inscriptions;

The program includes Field Survey in vicinity of Ratiaria. Because Ratiaria was the biggest town in the region around it are located many different archaeological sites - Roman villas and necropolis. Even in modern Romania are found remains of buildings connected to Ratiaria. Every year the students' expedition studied these places. Usually to participants is given individual work according to their interest and abilities.

Activities at the site will be enhanced by lectures on Roman and Late Roman archaeology. The duration of our lectures varies from one to two hours. An additional period of time is consecrated to questions and discussions. When the lectures are not on the site, multimedia equipment will be used for the presentations.

Every Friday in the evening we organize transport to the biggest towns in the region (Vidin or Belogradchik). Under the supervision of our coordinator the students can visit night pubs and to have fun with Bulgarian friends. Saturday is a free day. In Sunday we organize 1-day trip by bus to the most attractive locations: Belogradchik Fortress and Magura Cave (August 12th), Regional Historical Museum in Vidin and «Baba Vida" Fortress (August 19th), Roman fortress and town Castra Martis (August 26th), optionally – The Palace of Emperor Galerius "Felix Romoliana" in Serbia.

Bulgarian Archaeological Association

21 Tsarigradsko shosse Blv, 1504, Sofia, Bulgaria

+ 359 878 350 384

ratiaria@archbg.net

http://www.ratiaria.archbg.net/field_shool_en.html

www.archaeology.archbg.net  

Bulgarian Archaeological Association

Association “Ratiaria”

D. Giorgetti. Colonia Ulpia Traiana Ratiaria: analecta geographica et historica. - Ratiariensia, 1, 1980, 13-34, tav. 1-V1.

D. Giorgetti. Ratiaria and its Territory. - In: A. Poulter (ed.) Ancient Bulgaria. Part 2. Nottingham, 1983, 19-39.

R. Hosek, V. Velkov. New antique finds in Ratiaria. - Eunomia, II, I (Listy Filologicke, LXXXI) 1958, 32-39.

G. Kuzmanov. A Residence from Late Antiquity in Ratiaria (Dacia Ripensis). - Archaeologia Bulgarica (Sofia), IV, 2000, 1,27-43.

J. Lander. Roman Stone Fortification. Variation and Change from the First Century A. D. to the Fourth (BAR International Series, 206). Oxford, 1984.

Full bibliography list you can find at our web-site: http://www.ratiaria.archbg.net/excavations_bibliography_en.html