ANCIENT CERAMIC CENTER IN PAVLIKENI

The Ancient ceramic centre is located in the fertile valley of Rositsa River only 6 km northwest of the Pavlikeni town. Discovered by accident in 1971, it became one of the iconic archaeological sites from the Roman era in the Bulgarian lands. It is an agricultural estate (lat. villa rustica) and belonged to a veteran of the Roman army who after his retirement, at the end of the 1st century AD, discovered his interest in agriculture and livestock. At the beginning of the next century, the former soldier has noticed another valuable resource – the high quality clay in the area. So around his mansion the veteran founded one of the most significant centres for the production of ceramic wares (mainly decorated with red-slip vessels, cult ceramics, toys, etc.). This centre is one of the largest provinces in Thrace (Thracia) and Lower Moesia (Moesia Inferior) and respectively on the territory of the recently founded grounds of Nicopolis ad Istrum town.