The Centre for Underwater Archaeology is a state institute under the Ministry of Culture. Established in 1978 in Sozopol, it is the oldest such centre in Eastern Europe. It operates its own research vessel and two boats, and is equipped with modern geophysical instruments.

Our team

Dr. Nayden Prahov
DIRECTOR
Dr. Kalin Dimitrov
maritime archaeologist
Ivelina Petkova
maritime archaeologist
Zhelyazko Zhelyazkov
maritime archaeologist

CUA Projects

Prehistoric Settlements

along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast dated between Vth and the beginning of the Ist millennium BC reveal highly developed coastal and maritime-oriented society

Ancient Towns and Harbors

along the entire Bulgarian Black Sea coast are discovered ancient natural breakwaters exploited by seafarers for millennia -  from the IVth - IIIrd millennium BC to the late Medieval 

Shipwrecks

The discovered shipwrecks from the Ancient, Late Antiquity, Medieval and Ottoman periods are of an exceptionally high degree of preservation due to the anaerobic environment in the depths of the Black Sea

Dunabe River

is in its initial phase of exploration by the CUA, and new and intriguing discoveries are forthcoming at the sites of Oryahovo, Dimum, etc.

Maritime Field Schools and Educational Programs

are held annually and aim to expand the practical and theoretical knowledge and skills in underwater archaeology of participants from Bulgaria and abroad

Expeditions

Key projects undertaken by the Centre for Underwater Archaeology over the years in the field of underwater cultural heritage research and documentation.

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