Archaeologists have discovered a rare marble relief depicting the mother goddess Cybele alongside three nymphs at an ancient temple in present-day southeastern Bulgaria. The findings suggest that pagan worship may have continued at the site into the fifth century A.D., long after Christianity gained influence across the Roman Empire.
The discovery took place at Balak Dere, near the Arda River in Bulgaria’s Eastern Rhodope Mountains. Researchers believe the sanctuary may have been among the last pagan temples used by Thracian communities in the region.
Archaeologist Ivaylo Kanev led the excavations for Bulgaria’s National Museum of History. The team completed its latest excavation season in October, uncovering additional sections of the temple complex.
Rare marble relief depicts Cybele and three nymphs
The marble relief shows Cybele, an ancient goddess associated with nature, fertility and protection, alongside three nymphs. According to the excavation team, this unusual combination of deities has not previously been documented in comparable archaeological finds.
Archaeologists in Bulgaria have uncovered a rare marble relief depicting the goddess Cybele alongside three nymphs. The discovery suggests pagan worship may have survived into the 5th century AD, long after Christianity spread across the Roman Empire. pic.twitter.com/QG3BQxm3oM
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) October 22, 2026
Cybele’s worship originated in Phrygia, in modern-day Turkey, before spreading throughout the Greek and Roman worlds. The Romans adopted the worship of Cybele around 204 B.C., honoring her as Magna Mater, or Great Mother.
In ancient Greek mythology, nymphs were female deities associated with nature, particularly rivers, springs, and other water sources. Archaeologists also discovered a water channel surrounding the temple. Its presence suggests the sanctuary may have included a nymphaeum, a sacred place dedicated to nymph worship. However, researchers have not confirmed this interpretation.
Archaeologists uncover ancient temple’s unusual layout
The temple measures approximately 49 feet (15 meters) long and has a trapezoid-shaped layout with three connected rooms. The largest chamber contains an altar, while the central room includes a structure believed to have been used for sacrifices. Researchers think the third room stored offerings presented to the deities.
Earlier excavations suggest the sanctuary began operating around the third century A.D. Its layout indicates that religious activities played an important role in the surrounding settlement.
Pagan worship may have survived into the Christian era
The discovery also raises questions about the survival of pagan traditions as Christianity spread across the Roman Empire. During the fourth century, Roman emperors increasingly restricted traditional religious practices. In A.D. 392, Emperor Theodosius I issued laws prohibiting several forms of pagan worship.
At Balak Dere, archaeologists found evidence of a fire that destroyed the temple around the middle of the fifth century. Researchers suggest religious tensions may have contributed to its destruction, although the cause remains unknown. The findings suggest that traditional Thracian religious practices may have continued despite the empire’s shift toward Christianity. However, archaeologists have not established that Balak Dere was the region’s final pagan sanctuary.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
