Archaeologists have uncovered Byzantine seals, 46 coins, and the first Roman pottery fragments found within the fortifications of Markeli Fortress near Karnobat in southeastern Bulgaria, according to the Karnobat History Museum. The discoveries came during excavations in July and August and shed new light on a fortress that played an important role in relations between the Byzantine Empire and medieval Bulgaria.
The coins span several centuries. Some date to the sixth century and come mainly from the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, who ruled from A.D. 527 to 565. Archaeologists also recovered anonymous Byzantine coins dating to the 10th and 11th centuries.
Archaeologists uncover fortress defenses
Researchers examined about 30 to 40 meters (98 to 131 feet) of the southeastern fortifications. They uncovered part of the southeastern corner tower and sections of the southern fortress wall. The team also exposed additional eastern defenses near the tower. Archaeologists found substantial signs of destruction along the inner side of the southern wall.
One discovery could provide new evidence about the site’s earlier history. For the first time, archaeologists found fragments of Roman pottery within Markeli’s stone-and-brick fortifications.
Other finds span several periods. They include decorative appliques, with two well-preserved Old Bulgarian examples dating to the ninth and 10th centuries. Archaeologists also recovered Early Byzantine household pottery, ceramics from the 11th and 12th centuries, candleholder fragments, decorated Old Bulgarian pottery and sgraffito ceramics.
Markeli stood at the center of Byzantine-Bulgarian conflicts
Markeli, historically known as Marcellae, occupied a strategic position during centuries of conflict between the Byzantine and Bulgarian empires. The rivalry continued through different periods of medieval history, including the later campaigns of Byzantine Emperor Basil II against Bulgaria.
Archaeologists have uncovered Byzantine seals, 46 coins, ancient defenses, and the first Roman pottery found within Bulgaria’s Markeli Fortress.
The strategic stronghold once stood at the center of major Byzantine-Bulgarian conflicts. pic.twitter.com/zBPMkQvHlz
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) September 30, 2026
The fortress became the scene of major clashes between the two powers. Byzantine Emperor Constantine V defeated Bulgarian forces near Markeli in 756. Decades later, in 792, Bulgarian ruler Kardam defeated the forces of Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI in another battle near the fortress.
The site remained connected to Byzantine military campaigns. Emperor Nikephoros I used Markeli during his campaign against Bulgaria in 811, which later ended in a major Byzantine defeat.
The latest discoveries add archaeological evidence to the fortress’s long history of Byzantine and Bulgarian activity. Other finds in Bulgaria have similarly provided new evidence of the region’s Byzantine past, including a rare seal linked to Byzantine Empress Irene Komnene.
Associate Professor Dimcho Momchilov led the 2026 excavations, with Karnobat History Museum director Rositsa Hristova serving as deputy. Bulgaria’s Ministry of Culture funded the project.
The campaign marks the revival of systematic archaeological research at Markeli, 40 years after investigations at the fortress began in 1986.
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