Two Pagan Altars Uncovered at Perperikon: Insights into Ancient Rituals

The ancient city of Perperikon, a sprawling and partially rock hewn site, nestled in the Eastern Rhodopes of Bulgaria, continues to offer glimpses into its rich, multi-layered history with each new excavation. Recently, two pagan altars were unearthed, one of which was used for sacred winemaking and the other for animal sacrifices. These discoveries, announced by Professor Nikolay Ovcharov, the head of the excavation team, shed light on the religious practices of the site’s inhabitants during the Roman period. Both altars are located in the southern quarter of Perperikon, an area now identified as the "sacra" or sacred zone, which housed several temples and served as a center for worship, reports Bulgarian National Television.

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The mountain citadel of Perperikon, located near Kardzhali in Bulgaria, a huge ancient site. (Victor Lauer / Adobe Stock)

8000 years of History at Perperikon

Perperikon, an ancient Thracian city, is located in the Eastern Rhodope mountains of southern Bulgaria, near the town of Kardzhali. Situated on a 470-meter-high hill, it is considered a sacred site. The nearby village of Gorna Krepost and the gold-bearing Perpereshka River add to its significance.

Perperikon is the largest megalithic site in the Balkans and has a history spanning 8,000 years. Over time, it has been used by various civilizations, including the Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, and the medieval Bulgarian Empire.

Over time the rock formations have been extensively carved and worked, and the site contains a wealth of archaeological evidence. (Elena Chochkova / CC BY-SA 3.0)

A Sacred Altar for Blood Sacrifices

One of the altars, now partially reconstructed based on archaeological findings and comparisons with Roman-era practices, was specifically designed for blood sacrifices. This altar consists of a small basin, capable of holding 5 to 7 liters (1.3 to 1.8 gallons) of liquid, with a hole at its base that allowed the liquid to drain through channels into a secondary basin.

According to Prof. Ovcharov, the arrangement suggests that the altar was used for rituals honoring the chthonic, or underground gods. The sacrifices involved animals, primarily goats and sheep, which were prepared the day before. These animals had to be healthy and supposedly participate ‘willingly’, without being dragged to the altar.

The rituals conducted at this altar, most likely dating back to the 3rd or 4th century AD, involved participants wearing black garments, contrasting with other ceremonial dress codes of the era. The animals themselves had black fur, a symbolic connection to the deities of the underworld.

The sacrificial process involved bending the animal’s head downward, allowing its blood to flow into the altar’s collection basin. This type of sacrificial offering would have been a significant religious act, symbolizing the connection between the mortal world and the divine forces ruling beneath the earth.

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Aerial view of the hilltop site of the city of Perperikon.  (dudlajzov/Adobe Stock)

The Temple Complex of Perperikon

Prof. Ovcharov pointed out that this southern area, known as the "area sacra," included a temple dedicated to the Thracian Horseman, a heroic figure often depicted in ancient Thracian art, along with temples devoted to Mithras and other deities.

Among the many structures in the area, an unidentified temple, possibly related to the worship of wine, was discovered two years ago. This temple, like the altars, highlights the syncretic nature of religious practices at Perperikon, where various deities from different cultures were venerated.

A Glimpse into Prehistoric and Roman-Era Rituals

Interestingly, while the altars were primarily active during the Roman period, the sacred wine altar may have roots reaching back to the end of the Bronze Age, about 3,500 years ago. This suggests that Perperikon was an important religious center long before the Roman conquest. Throughout the pagan period, wine played a crucial role in the rituals performed at Perperikon, and the tradition seems to have persisted until the site’s abandonment during the Middle Ages.

Perperikon’s significance as a religious and political center made it a focal point for Thracians, Romans, and even medieval civilizations. The current excavations, which have been ongoing for 25 years, continue to bring to light the site’s layered history. This year alone, a team of around 60 archaeologists is working for four months, with operations expected to continue until November. The project, funded with half a million Bulgarian lev (about $275,000), represents the largest excavation effort to date at Perperikon.

Top image: One of the two pagan altars that have been uncovered at Perperikon.           Source: Bulgarian National Television

By Gary Manners