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Abstract
This paper illustrates the current state of Thracian mounds in Bulgaria, reviewing its theory and practice from a new heritage perspective, grounded in the field of Heritage studies. It points out the critical need of reversing the present state of mis-protection and mismanagement that results in cultural disinheritance, mass looting and destruction. It is argued that the preservation and development of Thracian sites and landscapes is enhanced by the ongoing heritization process of ascribing multiple values, wider definitions and roles of cultural heritage in society. This recently acquired heritage significance has activated a growing awareness and interest on the side of scientists from diverse fields such as archaeology and heritage studies, spatial planning and geography, medicine and biology, genetic studies, ethnography, linguistics and religious studies, claiming their right to explore and contribute new evidence of the historical, cultural and ethnic continuity between ancient Thracians and present day Bulgarians. Due to the increasing integration of sciences and synthesis of knowledge, links in value systems, toponyms, language, folklore, traditions and rituals, as well as genetics, become more visible, promising to restore a lost collective identity and sustain a valuable ancestral heritage.
Notes
1. Taleva, “Following AIRADNE’s Digital Thread.”
2. Stanilov et al., More than 100 Archaeological Discoveries.
3. See note 2 above.
4. UNESCO, Tentative Lists.
5. Harding, “The Tumulus in European Prehistory.”
6. Borgna and Celka, Ancestral Landscapes; and Henry and Kelp, Tumulus as Sema.
7. De La Torre, Conservation of Archaeological Sites.
8. Ripp and Rodwell, “The Geography of Urban Heritage.”
9. UNESCO, International Principles; ICOMOS, The Venice Charter; UNESCO, World Heritage Convention; Australia ICOMOS, The Burra Charter; ICOMOS, Protection and Management of Archaeological Heritage; UNWTO, Charter for Sustainable Tourism; Council of Europe, European Landscape Convention; Wild and McLeod, Sacred Natural Sites; and ICOMOS, Florence Declaration on Heritage and Landscape.
10. Although neither Stonehenge nor Avebury are not, of course, in themselves burial mounds, both monuments have clearly provided a focal point for a large number of burial mounds within their associated landscapes (Exon et al. Stonehenge Landscapes).
11. UNESCO, World Heritage List.
12. Council of Europe, Guidelines on Cultural Heritage; ICOMOS, Protection and Management of Archaeological Heritage, or English Heritage, Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance.
13. Historic England: Heritage at Risk Survey. https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk/
14. Lee, “Everything We Know.”
16. Florida Heritage, Archaeological Stabilization Guide.
17. Rabadjiev, “The Thracian Tomb.”
18. Gagarin and Fantham, Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece.
19. Carstens, “Tumuli as Power Political Statements.”
20. See note 5 above.
21. Alcock, “Time Travelling Tumuli.”
22. Dikov, “Ancient Thrace Exhibition.”
23. Stanilov et al., More than 100 Archaeological Discoveries; and Fol, Orpheus, The Tracian; and Golemanov, The Thracians. On the shaping of identities in the region, see Rampley, Heritage, Ideology, and Identity.
24. Karachanak et al., “Bulgarians vs the other European Populations”; Karachanak et al., “Y-Chromosome Diversity”; and Nesheva et al., “Mitochondrial DNA.”
25. P. Atanassov, as quoted in Svetoslavova, “The Crooked Mirror,” p. 19.
26. Holtorf, From Stonehenge to Las Vegas.
27. See note 27 above.
28. Marazov et al., Crossroads of Cultures, p. 101.
29. Stefanov, “Sboryanovo.”
30. Stanilov et al., More than 100 Archaeological Discoveries.
31. Stamenova and Malchev, Models of Protection.
32. Ovcharov, “Thracian City Found Near Chirpan.”
33. Detev, “We Have Amazing Exhibits.”
34. BAS, “Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.”
35. Kandulkova, “History of Protection.”
36. Stamenova and Malchev, Models of Protection.
37. National Assembly, “Statements by Professional Organizations.”
38. ICOMOS Bulgaria, “Declaration.”
39. Eftimoski, Ross and Sobotkova, “The Impact of Land Use.”
40. ABA, “Ideas for Change.”
41. Bojikov and Yankov, Cultural Properties.
42. CSD, “Organized Crime in Bulgaria.”
43. See note 40 above.
44. Cseko, “Treasure Hunters.”
45. Toshkov, “Looters Strip Bulgaria.”
46. WHC, “Etruscan Necropolises.”
47. Ministry of Culture, “Cultural Heritage Act.”
48. See note 44 above.
50. BNMDF, “European Council.”
51. See note 44 above.
52. Quoted in Cseko, “Treasure Hunters.”
53. Eftimoski, Ross and Sobotkova, “The Impact of Land Use.”
54. Nekhrizov et al., “Archaeological GIS.”
55. Krastev, “Cultural Heritage and Cultural Policy”; Gergova, “There Are No Mechanisms,” and Cultural Heritage Act; Kandulkova, “The Cause of the Experts”; and Vadinska, “National Strategy for Cultural Heritage.”
56. ICOMOS Bulgaria, “Declaration”; Citizens’ Initiative for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, “Declaration Against the Campaign”; and Heritage Forum, “Declaration.”
57. Ministry of Culture, “Budget Report for 2016.”
58. Historic England, English Heritage, “Annual Report; How We Are Funded.” Note that the larger figure of £176 million is for the period before the division of English Heritage into Historic England and English Heritage Trust; the £88.5 million refers to the budget for Historic England after the division.
59. National Trust, “Annual Report 2014/2015.”
60. Bedrov and Dyulgerova, Black Book.
61. Gergova, “Archaeologist Diana Gergova.”
62. See note 61 above.
63. Vadinska, “National Strategy for Cultural Heritage.”
64. MOEW, “Identification, Protection and Management.”
65. Nikolov, “How the Ministry of Culture Fights.”
66. Committee on Culture, “Discussion of the Amendment.”
67. Heritage Forum, “Declaration.”
68. Citizens’ Initiative for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, “Declaration Against.”
69. Gergova, “There Are No Mechanisms.”
70. Gergova, “Cultural Heritage Act.”
71. Semova-Koleva, “Memorandum to Vladimir Damyanov.”
72. See note 70 above.
73. Brett, The Construction of Heritage, p. 4.
74. Bender, “Landscape – Meaning and Action,” p. 3.
75. Jackson et al., “Engaging Communities.”