
Hall 1 - The Bulgarian lands from the beginning of the VI-th millennium BC. until the end of the II-nd millennium BC.
In hall 1 - Prehistory, the development of the Bulgarian lands in the period of prehistory is traced chronologically and thematically - from the Neolithic Age to the end of the Bronze Age.
In its central part, some of the most representative finds from the period are shown, which are part of the grave inventory in the individual eras. The objects found in Varna, Durankulak, Dobrichko, the Tabashka cave in Lovech, Rupite, Petrichko, Izvorovo, Harmanliysko and Chervenobrezhko illustrate the level of society and the idea of power of the ancient people.
During the first presented era, that of the Neolithic Age (end of the XNUMXth - beginning of the XNUMXth millennium BC), the first centers of a productive economy based on agriculture and animal husbandry were formed and developed on the Balkan Peninsula. The conversion of land into a means of livelihood becomes a prerequisite for long-term settlement. Construction of permanent settlements begins. In some cases, their long residence leads to the accumulation of settlement mounds. In some of the settlements, their fortification with ditches and ramparts is used. The new stone blades with a polished surface have significant efficiency. The production of ceramic vessels begins. The early agricultural religious-mythological system arose, which included ideas about the Mother Goddess and the Sky God, about guardian spirits, as well as related cults of natural forces, ancestors, the home and the hearth, etc. Anthropomorphic and zoomorphic plasticity became a common phenomenon. During the Neolithic, today's Bulgarian lands were part of a large cultural zone that included Western Anatolia and a large part of the Balkans.
This is illustrated in showcase 2 in the hall, where ceramic vessels, tools, anthropomorphic plastic, etc. are exhibited. from a site such as the Azmash settlement mound, Starozagorsko, the settlements near Galabnik, Pernishko, Hotnitsa, Velikotarnovsko, Topolnitsa, Blagoevgradsko and Kurilo, Sofia, etc.
Read the whole textDuring the next age - the stone-copper age (XNUMXth - beginning of the XNUMXth millennium BC), significant changes took place in the life of the early agricultural society. The presence of oxide copper ores available for exploitation in the Bulgarian lands provide an opportunity for development and metallurgy and for the extraction of copper and gold. The development of specialized productions begins. Agricultural technology is being improved, which leads to an increase in yields, livestock breeding is also developing. The extraction of salt is gaining significant proportions. Life continues on the settlement mounds, but fortified settlements on heights and those with defensive facilities also arise. A hierarchical social structure of society emerged, which was reflected in the necropolis near Varna. The role of the leader, who also has the functions of a priest, is new. At the end of the XNUMXth millennium BC demographic changes occur, probably due to the increased influence of the steppe regions, from where nomadic groups infiltrated.
These processes of change in society, its economy and its spiritual life are shown through the exhibits in showcases 3 and 4, in which samples of raw materials, finished products of tools and ornaments, ceramic vessels and anthropomorphic and zoomorphic plastic are displayed. The finds presented are from the settlements of Slatino, Kyustendilsko, Durankulak, Dobrichko, Poroy, Burgarsko, Ovcharovo, Targovishtko, Telish and Lepitsa, Plevensko and others.
Ethnocultural changes marked the beginning of the Bronze Age (IV - II millennium BC) in the Balkans. The appearance of bronze - an alloy of copper and tin - led to the development of new metallurgical centers. Along with agriculture and animal husbandry, the development of specialized industries continues. The settlements were fortified with stone walls or ditches, and the dwellings were built with an apse plan. A new settlement system was formed, consisting of a central settlement (citadel) and so-called "open settlements" located on the periphery. This is a reflection of the emerging new social model, in which the people living in the citadel are assigned a special role. The need to export and supply raw materials led to the emergence and establishment of wheeled transport. Conditions for functioning and trade relations with the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Europe are being created.
The new economic and social relations find a place in showcase 5, as they are demonstrated through the new in form and use of guns and weapons, ceramic vessels, etc. from the Bereket mound, Starozagorsko, Sozopol, Dabene, Karlovsko, settlement mound Galabovo, Starozagorsko, Turnava, Vrachansko, etc.
The site near the village of Dabene is located in the Karlovo Valley in southern Bulgaria. It represents stone structures of different shapes, in which numerous gold, silver and bronze objects, as well as ceramic vessels, were found. The gold objects are elements of ornaments, decorations for clothing or hair spirals, and their total number exceeds 21. Their quantity and manner of production show a high development of specialized productions and connections with the Central European and Anatolian regions during the Early Bronze Age.
Finds from this site are displayed in display cases 6, 7 and 8.