Karanovo Tell (Karanovo Neolithic–Chalcolithic Stratotype)
Karanovo Tell · Karanovo · Azmak Karanovo
Early Neolithic through Early Bronze II (Karanovo I–VII, 6200–2800 BCE)·Karanovo I–VII (Starčevo → Vinča → Gumelnița → Ezero)·🇧🇬 Sliven Province, Nova Zagora District, Azmak stream plain, Thrace, Bulgaria
About
About Karanovo Tell (Karanovo Neolithic–Chalcolithic Stratotype)
Karanovo Tell (Karanovo Neolithic–Chalcolithic Stratotype) is a multi-period tell/ancient village in Sliven Province, Nova Zagora District, Azmak stream plain, Thrace, Bulgaria — Thracian stratotype tell — 12 m Karanovo I–VII sequence defining SE European Neolithic–Chalcolithic Excavated evidence reveals Karanovo I–VII (Starčevo → Vinča → Gumelnița → Ezero) cultural horizons with wattle-and-daub architecture. The tell 250×150 m, 13 m high; 7 cultural horizons, 12 building horizons preserves wattle-and-daub plus solid clay houses, white-painted and graphite-painted ware, copper metallurgy technique.
Position on Sliven Province illustrates names karanovo i–vii cultural sequence — cornerstone of balkan neolithic chronology from 6200 bce.
Why it mattersNames Karanovo I–VII cultural sequence — cornerstone of Balkan Neolithic chronology from 6200 BCE.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Karanovo–Starčevo origin — Anatolian or Balkan?
- 02Karanovo VI (Gumelnița) collapse — climate or invasion?
Theories
- 01Georgiev Karanovo indigenous vs. Anatolian migration model
- 02Hiller tells as ranked centres vs. heterarchical debate
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.6200 BCE Karanovo I Neolithic founding; Karanovo VI (Gumelnița) 4600 BCE; EB II 2800 BCE
- Period
- Early Neolithic through Early Bronze II (Karanovo I–VII, 6200–2800 BCE)
- Culture
- Karanovo I–VII (Starčevo → Vinča → Gumelnița → Ezero)
- Builders
- Thracian Neolithic–Eneolithic farming communities
- Purpose
- Thracian stratotype tell — 12 m Karanovo I–VII sequence defining SE European Neolithic–Chalcolithic
- Abandoned
- c.2800 BCE Early Bronze II transition to Ezero
- Rediscovered
- Excavated 1936–present Mikov, Georgiev, Hiller & Nikolov (Vienna-Sofia)
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
1936
Mikov opens Karanovo, 12 m Neolithic–Bronze sequence defined
1984
Vienna-Sofia re-excavation re-dates Karanovo I to 6200 BCE via C14
2015
Karanovo VI Gumelnița burnt house with graphite ware published
On the ground
Structures & features
42.5136° N · 25.9136° E · 185 m · 3 mapped features
Karanovo I–II Early Neolithic Basal Levels
sounding6200 BCE Starčevo-derived basal levels
42.5138° N · 25.9138° EKaranovo VI Gumelnița Burnt House Horizon (Graphite Ware)
house4600 BCE Gumelnița burnt houses with graphite-painted pottery
42.5134° N · 25.9135° EKaranovo VII–Ezero Early Bronze Transition
transitionEzero Early Bronze sealing over Gumelnița top
42.5138° N · 25.9139° E