Kozarnika, Dimovo Municipality, Prehistoric cave and archaeological site near Belogradchik, Bulgaria.

Kozarnika is a 210 m long cave on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains, 6 km from Belogradchik, opening to the south 85 m above the valley. Its broad, irregular entrance is cut into a cliff of horizontally banded grey and pale brown rock, with a grassy slope rising to it and a short stacked stone wall to the lower left. Inside, 21 geological layers hold finds from the Early Lower Paleolithic to the Late Middle Ages.

The site was visited by early humans around 1.6 million years ago, making it one of the oldest known records of human spread from Africa. Archaeological study has revealed multiple layers across the ages, documenting different phases of human use.

The cave holds local importance as a window into the area's deep past and is regularly visited by school groups learning about early human settlement. Its role as a research site connects the region to international scientific discussions about human migration patterns.

The cave maintains steady temperatures year-round, so visitors should bring suitable clothing for the conditions. Arranging a guided tour beforehand ensures knowledgeable guides are available to explain what you are seeing.

The cave's name means "The Goat Shed". Among the finds are incised bones from layers dated 1.2–1.4 million years ago; the excavators argue the marks were made deliberately, which would make them the earliest claimed trace of symbolic behaviour, a claim still debated.