An archaeological exhibition on the life of the earliest settlement in the Sofia Valley, established by the first farmers and cattle breeders in Europe at the end of the 7th millennium BC and inhabited for more than 500 years, was officially opened on the eve of Sofia Day at the Regional History Museum in the capital. The exhibition includes dozens of artifacts, numerous photographs, graphic images and reenactments that show the lifestyle and spiritual world of the people who laid the foundations of the first European civilization. Еveryday objects, objects of cult and reconstructions related to the life of the community are among the highlights.
The exhibition has been prepared on the idea of the archaeological team of Slatina – Sofia and is arranged on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the excavations of the site in Slatina neighborhood and the 10th anniversary of the first exposition in this museum, the Head of the field research of the Early Neolithic settlement Slatina-Sofia Acad. Vassil Nikolov said. This is a huge settlement that existed on an area of about 300 acres – inhabited territory with incredibly interesting material culture, Acad. Nikolov explained. The people who inhabited the settlement were really very thoughtful, very knowledgeable and very dynamic, and they developed a new culture very quickly. They made discoveries within a very short time, the archaeologist explained at the opening. We are trying to untangle this puzzle, he noted, pointing out that the exhibition showed some of the most interesting parts of the settlement so that children, schoolchildren and students could experience this culture in the museum.
The President of BAS, Corr. Memb. Evelina Slavcheva, congratulated the team of Acad. Vassil Nikolov and thanked all those who had worked over the years so that we could enjoy today that magnificent exhibition. She stressed that BAS was proud of the work of the archaeologists at the National Archaeological Institute with Museum. It is wonderful when everyone’s efforts are combined so that the people of Sofia can see this beauty, the President noted.
Deputy Minister of Culture Assoc. Prof. Todor Chobanov made a welcome speech and described the archaeological research of the team of Acad. Nikolov as invaluable for science. The four decades of hard work at the site have shown how far Neolithic civilization has come in its successes. This is our memory and duty – to study and preserve the cultural heritage, the Deputy Minister said.
Yordanka Fandakova recalled that in 2013 the conversation started about resuming the research of this so valuable archaeological site for Sofia which reveals thousands of years of history. She also spoke about the project prepared for the socialization of the site and the construction of a visitor center which she hoped would happen.
Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev sent a congratulatory address to Acad. Vassil Nikolov and RHM – Sofia. Thanks to your work, we all have the opportunity to touch a unique cultural heritage, and the next generations to build a connection with the past that will inspire the future, the address noted.
The event was hosted by the Director of RHM – Sofia, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Veneta Handjiyska-Yankulova. The former Presidents of BAS, Acad. Nikola Sabotinov and Acad. Julian Revalski, the Vice-President of BAS Prof. Emmanuel Moutafov, the Deputy Mayor of Slatina district of Sofia Georgi Iliev, the Director General of BTA Kiril Valchev, MPs and representatives of the academic community attended the opening of the exposition which can be visited until 8 March 2026 at the Regional History Museum – Sofia.
