ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Share
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

A Hobbiton discovered by archaeologists in Perperikon

Prof Ovcharov said the tiny houses resembling Hobbit dwellings were homes for the poor
Perperikon
Photo: Facebook /Vladislav Terziiski Photography

A village of small houses dating from the 13th-15th cent. AD, very similar to the dwellings of the Hobbits, has been excavated by archaeologist Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov and his team. It is a complex of a dozen small houses located in the southern part of the rock city of Perperikon. Prof Ovcharov told BNR-Kardzhali that the complex bears a strong resemblance to the city of the Hobbits in 'The Lord of the Rings'. 

Whole families lived in houses no larger than 20 square metres. Cooking utensils, chrome pots and tools have been found. There are narrow streets between the houses.

According to the archaeologists, the houses were inhabited by the poorer part of Perperikon's population, which numbered around 5,000 people at the time. "This is not a small number, as it was the population of Vienna at the same time," says Professor Nikolai Ovcharov.

At the end of the 14th century, burials took place there. The data show that the population declined sharply. This was probably due to the plague that hit Europe at that time, the archaeologists believe.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.
Radio Bulgaria News    archaeology discovery hobbit perperikon

More from category

The Bulgarian volleyball players were welcomed at the government terminal of Vasil Levski airport

The Bulgarian national volleyball team was welcomed with a red carpet and an honor guard at Vasil Levski Airport in Sofia. On Sunday, the Bulgarian national team, led by head coach Gianlorenzo Blengini, won the silver medals at the 2025 Men's..

published on 9/30/25 12:23 PM

Rosen Zhelyazkov: The contract with BOTAŞ has already burdened Bulgargaz with EUR 300 million

The contract with the Turkish state energy company BOTAŞ has already burdened Bulgargaz with over BGN 600 million (EUR 300 million), which the company is unable to repay, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said at an energy forum in Sofia, as quoted by..

published on 9/30/25 12:04 PM
MEP Ilia Lazarov

MEP Ilia Lazarov to advocate for the construction of several locks along the Bulgarian section of the Danube

MEP Ilia Lazarov said in Ruse that he will advocate for the construction of several locks along the Bulgarian section of the Danube River. The aim is to stabilize the river’s water level and allow year-round navigation on the Danube, even during the..

published on 9/30/25 10:54 AM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 18
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 12 | Max: 21
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 12 | Max: 20
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 20
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 18
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 20
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 19
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 10 | Max: 19
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 20
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 18
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 20
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 19
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 10 | Max: 21
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 16
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 20
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 11 | Max: 20
Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 17
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 11 | Max: 19
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 12 | Max: 18
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 10 | Max: 19
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 15
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 8 | Max: 16
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 7 | Max: 21
Cloudy
Min: 9 | Max: 17
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 11 | Max: 21
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 8 | Max: 20
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 10 | Max: 21
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română
MOST VIEWED

An increasing number of Bulgarians travel abroad, Greece is the most-preferred destination

In August 2025, the number of trips abroad made by Bulgarians totalled 1,078,900, which is a 19.4% increase compared to August 2024, according to data..

published on 9/29/25 2:20 PM

Partly cloudy skies and autumn-like temperatures expected on Tuesday

On Tuesday, the lowest temperatures will range from 5°C to 10°C, up to 13°C along the Black Sea coast. In Sofia the lowest temperature will be around..

published on 9/29/25 6:30 PM

Over 43,000 euros found in those who demanded bribes from drivers of Robbie Williams' equipment

The two employees of the Executive Agency "Automobile Administration", who demanded bribes from foreign truck drivers transporting equipment for Robbie..

published on 9/29/25 7:05 PM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"