TREASURE     SEALS     PAINTED CERAMICS     INSCRIPTIONS     STONE CARVINGS

INSCRIPTIONS

The epigraphic monuments are some of the most interesting and reliable historical documents. They can be viewed as witnesses of ages long past because they can tell stories about socially significant events. What is more, they can tell stories about the personal life of individuals. Most importantly, they help clarify numerous linguistic issues.

At present, as a result of completed excavations, the Veliki Preslav NHARM (National Historical-Archeological Reserve-Museum) has at its disposal a rich collection of inscriptions. Original Cyrillic, Glagolitic and Greek inscriptions, daing back to the 10th century can be seen in the exposition of the museum as well as throughout the territory of the reserve (usually scribbled on the walls of the Round Church and the eastern fortress wall).

INSCRIPTION OF MOSTICH - second quarter of the 10th century

It was discovered in a secondarily used grave in the so-called Church of Mostich in the area of Selishte ('The Settlement ' in Bulgarian. An area near the old town).

The epitaph reads: “Here lies Mostich who was Ichargubilia in rank during the regn of Tsar Simeon and Tsar Petar. At the age of eighty he resigned from the post of Ichargubilia and became a monk. And ended his life.”

What we can learn from the text is that still in his lifetime he was a higher-ranking official-Ichargubilia. The name of his rank is actually a Slavonic form of the popular from an earlier title - ichirgu boila. We will never know whether Mostich was forced to resign from his post and property or his deed was the result of his own pious will.

 

 

 

 

INSCRIPTION OF TUDORA - early 10th century

It was found near the Round Church

“"I am Tudora’s grave, God’s servant. Reaching from this stone (are)……… . . . . . . elbows to the wall.”

The inscription represents an interesting epitaph and serves as proof for some changes in old-Bulgarian language during the first half of the 10th century.

 

 

 

 

 

 

INSCCRIPTIONS ON CERAMIC PIECES

They were found in the Church of Mostich

The names of eight Orthodox saints are written in Cyrillic. They were found together with bones and metal casings in a tomb chamber near the altar of the church. The inscriptions looked very much like labels for boxes in which saints’ relics (reliquaries) were kept.

 

 

 

 

AN INSCRIPTION FROM CHERNOGLAVCI (A VILLAGE NEAR SHUMEN)

It was found by T. Balabanov during excavations of a monastery site dating back to 9th-10th c.

The text is in Greek and the translation reads: “ The cross, which is the image of its creator, narrows the power of the dragon (symbolizing the Satan). The image that is so craved (worthy of being craved) though being desecrated and destroyed.

 

 

 

 

INSCRIPTIONS ON THE PALACE MONASTERY PLASTER - 10th century

The inscriptions, which were probably cut with an edge in the already dry plaster, contain the two names ΘΕΟΔΟΡ (Teodor/Theodore) and ΠΕΘΡΟΣ (Petros/Peter). The affixation of the second name suggests that the inscriptions are Greek.