The golden treasure is a brilliant illustration of life in the Preslavian palaces. Discovered in 1978 in Castana, an area near the ancient town, during agricultural work, the excavations that followed revealed more than 170 golden, silver and bronze objects, decorated with cloisonné (cellular) enamel, precious stones, and pearls. A thorough analysis of the find showed its collective nature. It consists of 10th century ladies’ jewelry made in Constantinople and Preslav, but it also includes artifacts dating to between the 3rd and 7th centuries. The latter suggests their owners’ taste in old and luxurious articles.

The excavations helped explain some curious and important facts. First, there was an old-Bulgarian settlement in Castana, which was a suburb of the capital, Preslav. Second, there are signs of the town being destroyed by fire for which we find proof in Byzantine records contemporary to the conquest of Preslav in 972. Third, the most valuable articles from the treasure were hidden in a mason furnace of a humble poor man’s hut in the village.

Judging from the rich nature of the finding and the 15 Byzantine coins belonging to Constantine VII and Roman II (945 and 959) which were found in the treasure, archaeologists assume that the luxurious jewelry somehow got there in the turbulent events between 969 and 972. This was the time when Preslav was besieged and conquered first by Kiev royal prince, Sviatoslav and two years later by the Byzantine Emperor, John Tzimisces. It is left to conjecture as to whether the treasure was hidden by a faithful servant of the ruler or was plundered during the attack on the Palace.
 

 Double-sided necklace, cloisonné enamel, rock-crystal, amethysts - 10th century

 
The owner of the necklace was probably under the protection of Virgin Mary, who is portrayed on both central medallions. It is possible that Tsar Petar gave this beautiful jewelry as a wedding gift to his bride, Maria-Irina, the Byzantine princess, in 927 in Constantinople. We assume that the necklace was a wedding present because the images of water-birds symbolize family happiness and fidelity.

The scene “The Ascension of Alexander the Great”, which is traditionally related to the cult of the Emperor, as well as the portrayed senmurves (‘flying dogs’), eagle-headed and lion-headed griffons are a symbol of mighty power. Thus, all these images on the Preslavian diadem unconditionally prove their royal connections. Additionally, this proves the connection between the treasure and Bulgarian royal family.

During the Middle Ages, such earrings were the most recommended, and sometimes obligatory, jewelry to compliment eminent ladies’ official attire. The earrings are very solid because of their luxurious decoration. They were attached to a hat or hung from a pearl string (or chain) for decorating the head.

The two Byzantine empresses, Theodora and Zoe, were portrayed with jewels of this kind in some preserved mosaics. The form of the medallions, as well as their position suggests the role of the august wife for procreation of the royal lineage. The inlaid amethysts and emeralds strengthened the meaning of these peculiar amulets. They were thought to bring their owner submissive and composed spirit, God-abiding, youth, and longevity.

These earrings and the three medallions, decorated with identical precious stones, comprised a jewelry set.

We get an idea of the exquisiteness of the collection from these earrings, made of thin pieces of wire adorned with beads.

Filigreed and grained beads and pendants once composed the original shape of the necklace, which, unfortunately, we are not able to see today.
 

Gem-stamps are processed precious stones or semi-precious stones (most often pyramidal in shape), on the working surface of which there are carefully cut precise images or signs. They were used for sealing wax stamps (kerovulos). The latter were mainly used for stamping personal correspondence and signified possession, etc. They were hung up on a chain round the neck and they also played the role of an amulet and of impressive jewelry. Stylistically, they were of Antique and early Christian art; therefore, they would have rarely been seen during the Middle Ages. During that era, some of the items were secondarily used and they were often covered with additional gold or silver facing. The gem-stamp from the Preslavian Golden Treasure is of the second type. The scene of Annunciation and the iconography of the Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary, indicate that the stamp would have been made between the end of 5th and the beginning of 7th centuries. Several centuries later, the owner of the treasure put the stamp in a special frame, decorated with pseudo-beads and an eye for stringing the frame on a chain.