Abstrakt
In the spring of 2009 a diachronic, multidisciplinary, and international research project led by the National Archaeological Institute with Museum of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences began to explore palaeoenvironments, settlement patterns, and productive strategies in the watershed of the upper Tundzha River. The project included palaeoecology, satellite remote sensing, geophysics, and trial excavations, but archaeological surface survey constituted the principal approach utilised.
Initial research in 2009 focused on the hinterland of the ancient city of Seuthopolis (now submerged under the Koprinka Reservoir). A follow-up campaign in 2010 extended the study area towards the Stara Planina Mountains, exploring rural landscapes across a variety of environmental and topographic zones.
In total, the project surveyed 56.5 sq km, inventorying some 370 archaeological features.