In mid-April 2024, the Center for Underwater Archaeology launched the new archaeological season in the waters surrounding Sts. Cyril and Julitta Island near Sozopol.
A few days ago, the research vessel Christina’s worksite became the setting for a remarkable visit. British historian Professor Bethany Hughes, known as the host of the popular TV show Treasures of the World aired on Viasat History, joined our team and dove into the Black Sea waters for filming a new episode of her series. Her interest was sparked by the exceptional underwater archaeological complex hidden beneath the seabed of Sozopol’s harbor, which the CUA team has been investigating for the third consecutive season. Dr. Nayden Prahov, director of CUA, acted as an underwater guide over the section of the prehistoric Chalcolithic settlement currently under study. The Sozopol harbor is a multilayered archaeological site featuring harbor materials from various historic periods as well as prehistoric settlements submerged from the Early Bronze Age and Late Chalcolithic periods. The harbor took its present form after several major construction projects in the 20th century. Over the years, a rich archaeological collection has been gathered spanning the Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages, Antiquity, and the Middle Ages—including ancient funerary monuments, votive reliefs, vessels, anchors, and fishing and navigation tools. The adjacent waters of Sozopol represent one of Bulgaria’s most emblematic and important underwater archaeological sites. It remains an active site fulfilling its contemporary functions, while simultaneously posing a threat to the exceptional cultural heritage it preserves. Recent results reveal undredged zones within the harbor that contain well-preserved materials with very high archaeological potential—materials that need to be identified, documented, and shared. The excitement and awe of the British film crew over Bulgaria’s underwater discoveries will soon be shared with viewers worldwide through the Viasat History channel.