To begin this blog, we proudly introduce Easton Kelly Edwards, our latest born grandson. 7 lbs., 7 oz., 19 1/2 inches long. Born February 27, 2009. Proud parents are Tessa and Kurt Edwards, Provo UT.
A little Bulgarian History lesson now: Thracians lived here at least from 1000 to 200 years b.c. Throughout all of Bulgaria can be seen mounds of various sizes. These are the burial places of important Thracians who lived during these times. This is one of them near a village called Starasel. We went there yesterday for a P-Day activity with a couple of Elders, Elders Hope and Hammond who are serving in Pazardjik, a small town near Plovdiv.
This mound, as a Thracian tomb/temple, was discovered only 9 years ago. Better built and more elaborate than others we have seen, this tomb is dated from around 400 to 500 b.c.
Inside they found all kinds of pottery, horse trappings, weapons, etc. now located in museums across Bulgaria.
Uncovering the tomb entrance, they had to shore up the structure to keep it from collapsing.
This is the only tomb so far discovered in Bulgaria with colonnades. In every crack, crevice and surface, people today have stuffed or scattered coins for whatever reason, good luck or donation to the excavation.
Elder Hope is standing in the entrance to the inner room where a king was buried. The outer chamber was for some kind of worship or even a burial ground for his favorite horse (a common practice in most Thracian tombs.) When they unearthed the tomb they cleared out all of the burial items and left the rooms empty to prevent people from walking off with the artifacts. There are lots of pictures showing the artifacts placed around the grounds for visitors to appreciate.
From inside the tomb we looked out over the whole valley, the village of Starasel in the center. In the haze in the horizon is Plovdiv.
