Scientific findings from archeological excavations of the ancient Paeonian city of Bylazora at a site in the region of Ovce Pole are published in the book “Ancient Bylazora – The Capital of Independent Paeonians”, launched Friday in Sveti Nikole.
The work was published by the International Slavic University in Sveti Nikole and the Sveti Nikole national museum.
The book, published in Macedonian and Russian and in Macedonian and English, was written by Dragi Mitrevski, PhD, who leads the team excavating the site for the past eight years. Archeologists believe the ancient city of Bylazora was located at the site – the largest city in Paionia from the 7 th until the 2 nd century BC, which also served as its capital in the 5 th and 4 th century BC.
“This monograph is undoubtedly promoting the versatile cultural heritage of the region and that of the Republic of Macedonia in general. The publication also is clearly affirming our efforts aimed at revitalizing the cultural heritage of Macedonia and discovering new findings,” the Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska said promoting the book in Sveti Nikole.
Furthermore, students from Russia were part of excavation activates at the site. Speaking at the promotion, Mihail Lushin, attaché of culture at the Russian embassy, said their role in the research reinforced the cooperation between Russia and Macedonia, which were nourishing ‘deep spiritual ties.’
The site, after being completely excavated, is expected to be turned into a tourist attraction.
Four cities, built on top of each other, are believed to have existed throughout the history of Bylazora. It was the capital of independent Paeonians in the 5 th and 4 th century BC, as well as in the 3 rd century BC, even though the ruler’s palace had been already demolished. From the 5 th century BC to the 3 rd century BC there was an independent Paeonian state with its own dynasty and rulers who had made their own coins and implemented their own policies.
Being excavated nearly 60%, so far the ruins of five structures have been discovered at the site, including the ruler’s palace, a water management poll, a fortification surrounding the acropolis and public facilities that might have served as a temple. Pithoi, used to storage grains, have been also found.
All of these findings are included in the monograph. Over one thousand artifacts, luxurious ceramic bowls and jewelry, pieces of tools, coins have been excavated, which are now displayed at the National Museum in Sveti Nikole in eastern Macedonia.
More information in connection to the Bylazora is available on the website bilazora.mk, which was also promoted today in addition to the book.