It was an accidental finding. In 1985 the tractor driver Ivan Dimitrov was making a water main in his garden when he came upon a pile of beautiful silver vessels almost on the surface (50 cm depth). This pile consisted of 42 jugs, 22 phialai and a cup, which were handed to the employees of the museum in the town of Vratsa.

The excavations on the place confirmed to the archaeologists that the treasure was buried under extreme circumstances and probably was divided in several parts. Soon after that a second pit is found, containing 100 silver vessels buried at 40 cm depth. This part consists of 86 phialai, 12 jugs and 2 cups. Thus the overall number of the items increased to 165 silver vessels – 54 jugs, 3 cups and 108 phialai.

It is supposed that these objects belonged to a local noble family and were gathered for many years — from the 5th century BC to the 40s of the 4th century BC. On some of the vessels are engraved different inscriptions, which gave us the names of various Thracian rulers and gold- and silversmiths who made the vessels.

The decoration of found objects represents many scenes from the Thracian and Greek mythology, proof of the strong relationship and cultural exchanges between ancient Greeks and the Thracian tribes.

The Rogozen treasure is the biggest Thracian treasure found so far.

• Horse-trappings appliques and

• Vessels (9 vessels — 5 phialai, 3 jugs and a bowl)

The items are made of silver and some of them are partially plated with gold to underline the artistic figures and the decoration. The phialai and the bowl are rich decorated with plants, human heads and other elements. On the appliques there are often depicted animal figures: lion, griffin, dog, deer, etc. Figures of horsemen, very typical to the Thracian art, can be also seen. A lion attacking a deer whose legs are folded under the body is depicted on two of the appliques of the Lukovit treasure. On another applique two horsemen chase lions, who – overtaken – fall under the hooves of the horses. These scenes from the Thracian art have a definite social meaning. They are related to the glorifying of royal power. The rulers and their parties were spreading by all means the legends for their divine origin and even with the decoration of the horse trappings they made ordinary people believe in it and knuckle under to them.

In 1963 workers from a farm in the village of Letnitsa decided to build a new sheep house. While digging, at 50–60 centimeters, they came across a bronze vessel turned upside down. It was full of little silver items, some of them decorated with gold. They shared the treasure. Later on the curator of the museum of the near town of Lovech collected the items with the help of the doctor of the village, who witnessed the unearthing.

Save the silver items, some of which were very small, typical for the horse trappings from the 4th century BC, there was a well-preserved rein. It consisted of two iron braces, which were used to hold the bridle to the halter, and a bit-chain.

The cycle of illustrations of historic scenes on a group of plaques is very interesting. On some plaques the protagonist is represented as a horseman fighting and defeating bears and wolves, on other he is throwing his spear, followed by his servant.

The Letnitsa treasure plaques throw some light on the mythology of the ancient Thracians and their believes, which allows us to take a look at the culture and conception of world of these distant predecessors.

The Letnitsa treasure is exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum in Sofia.

• Three rhyta ending with figures of a horse, bull and sphinx. The details were precisely made.

• Amphora-like jug — the clothes and hair of the people engraved on it are decorated with gold. The scenes on the jug are beautifully and skilfully made. They depict deities and dancing figures. One of the figures is of the god Dionysus, and other — of Heracles. The figure of Heracles is holding in his hands a rhyton similar to those in the treasure.

• A silver large bowl with gold on its lip and around the massive handles. The heads of satyrs, mythical creatures from the suite of god Dionysus, are welded to the handles. The bowl is put on a cone-like stand. A deer attacked by a griffin is depicted in gold-plated relief in its centre.

The Borovo treasure dates back to the time of the Odrysian king Cotys I (383-359 BC) which is evident by the inscriptions with his name on two of the vessels.

Video – The Borovo silver treasure