The Thracians were an ancient Indo-European people who established their presence in the Balkan Peninsula around 1500 BC. Thracian tribes formed early kingdoms, the most notable being the Odrysian Kingdom.

The First Bulgarian Empire, founded in 681 CE, united Bulgars and Slavs, shaping a powerful medieval state in the Balkans.

The period 4600–4200 BC marks a fascinating chapter in prehistory when early civilizations across the globe were emerging and evolving in parallel. In Europe, the Varna culture of present-day Bulgaria astonished archaeologists with the world’s oldest processed gold treasure and evidence of the first social elites.

The Varna Gold, discovered in Bulgaria, is the world’s oldest processed gold treasure, dating back nearly 7,000 years.

Discover Bulgaria’s top 2025 archaeological finds—from Thracian gold to Black Sea harbors—reshaping ancient history with groundbreaking excavations.