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= Late Antique Fortress at Cape Saint Atanas = The Late Antique Fortress at Cape Saint Atanas (Bulgarian: Антична крепост на нос свети Атанас) is a historical site located near the town of Byala, Bulgaria. The ancient settlement was mentioned for the first time by the founders of Bulgarian archeology Hermann and Karel Škorpil. In an article from 1892 about the archaeological sites from the northeastern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, the two brothers briefly describe the remains of a small fortress at cape St. Atanas, south of the village of Byala (then Ak Dere or Aspros). However, the archaeological site has not been researched until 2009, when a local history student Deyan Yanchev, supported by the town's mayor and members from the Municipal Council of Byala, managed to convince Assoc. Prof. Valeri Yotov, Ph.D. a historian and archeologist from Varna Archaeological Museum, to begin trial excavations. Since then archaeological research has been carried out annually. What was discovered is that the archaeological site at Cape St. Atanas is very rich in valuable finds and cultural monuments. Materials were found from the Classical Era to Late Antiquity (6th century BC – 7th century AD).

Thracian Cult Center during Classical Antiquity
From 6th century BC to the beginning of 1st century AD

Since 2009 more than 140 cult or ritual pits, remains of a dozen sacrificial altars (eskhara or eschara), and an ancient Thracian temple were excavated in the southeastern part of Cape St. Atanas. All discoveries were dated from the earliest cultural layer (6th century BC until the beginning of 1st century AD). The definition “Thracian Cult Center” for the structures discovered in this part of the cape is supported additionally by numerous ceramics, coins and other interesting finds. The complete archaeological research and scientific analysis of the Thracian Cult Center is yet to come, but it is clear that the findings are a new and valuable source of historic information about the local Thracian population in Antiquity.

Sanctuary of Heracles during Roman Imperial Period
From 2nd to 3rd century AD

Another temple, six marble statutes, sculptural compositions, and several votive tablets were discovered again at the southeastern part of Cape St. Atanas, but from a later period. The sculptural compositions depict different scenes from the exploits of the ancient Greek demigod Heracles. Heracles (Roman Hercules) was worshiped in the Balkans by Greeks, Thracians and Romans alike. The inscriptions on the basis of three of the compositions, as well as the artistic style, date back to the 2nd-3rd century AD. In the vicinity of the temple building, several Roman bronze coins from the first half of the 3rd century AD were also found. These findings testify that, during the Roman imperial period, there was a sanctuary dedicated to Heracles on Cape St. Atanas.

Fortress and Small Port Town during Late Antiquity
From 4th to 7th century AD

From the 3rd century onwards the site gradually expanded and became a Late Antique fortified town. In view of the location of the fortress on a cape, that closes and protects a little bay, it could also be regarded as a small port town. The bay was a suitable harbor for small vessels used mainly for trade. Behind the walls of the small port city, there was an active economic life – mainly wine production and trade, more craftsmanship and less agriculture. During barbarian invasions and natural cataclysms, the fortress served as a refuge (refugium) for the population of the neighboring villages. The sacred significance of Cape St. Atanas also grew from a Thracian Cult Center in the 5th century BC to a Christian Episcopate in 6th century AD. The population of the antique fortress in the 6th century AD was probably over 1000 people.The ancient settlement experienced several natural cataclysms and barbaric invasions, but managed to recover afterwards until 614 when it was finally burned and abandoned.

The Archeological Site Today
In August 2012, the Municipal Cultural Institute /Museum/ – Byala was founded to preserve the material cultural and historical monuments discovered during the archaeological excavations at Cape St. Atanas.

By the end of 2013 the Municipality of Byala finished a project for conservation, preservation and socialization of historical buildings and monuments from the Late Antique fortress. The basilica, the two baptisteries and the largest winery were completely restored.Since the beginning of 2014, the Late Antique Fortress at Cape St. Atanas is open for visitors. Guests of the tourist site can explore an early Christian basilica, two baptisteries and the largest antique winery preserved today in Bulgaria.