Archaeologists divide the prehistoric era in Bulgaria into a series of distinct archaeological cultures, each defined by characteristic artifacts, settlement patterns, and chronology.

The city of Troy, resonating with the grandeur of the Hellenistic age (330 BC - 85 BC), though not directly linked to modern Bulgaria, casts a wide cultural net across the ancient world, shaping the cultural landscape beyond its immediate boundaries.

The Vinca Culture was a prominent prehistoric civilization that flourished during the Neolithic period, from 5700 to 4200 BC. Centered primarily in what is now Serbia, Romania, and Northwestern Bulgaria, the Vinca Culture extended its influence into Hungary, Macedonia, and Greece.

Explore Ottoman rule in the lands of present-day Bulgaria: conquest, administration, architecture, cuisine, revival, and why 1878 was not the end everywhere.

Explore Bulgaria's history through this timeline. From ancient Thracians to the present, see how each period shaped Bulgaria.