Tomb of Seuthes III, Thracian royal tomb near Shipka, Bulgaria
The Tomb of Seuthes III is an underground structure carved into the hillside with three connected chambers built from limestone blocks. The burial complex contains a rectangular room with a distinctive double arch, a connecting passage, and a circular domed chamber where the king's sarcophagus was placed.
Archaeologists discovered this burial site in 2004, identifying it as the tomb of King Seuthes III from the 4th century BC. He was the last powerful ruler of the Odrysian Kingdom, a major Thracian state that later fell under Macedonian control.
The name Seuthes III reflects a powerful Thracian dynasty that ruled this region and commanded great influence. Visitors can sense how important royal burials like this were to the people who built and guarded this place.
You enter through a corridor that leads into the underground chambers where you can view the burial complex directly. The site is best visited during warmer months when the paths are dry and you can comfortably walk around the hillside location.
When first discovered, archaeologists found horse skeletons inside the entrance corridor, revealing that animals were sacrificed as part of the burial ritual. This practice demonstrates how much honor and respect was paid to this king at the time of his death.
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