On August 24, Ancient Origins reported that a group of archaeologists discovered a treasure trove of ancient artifacts at the tomb of a Thracian warrior in the village of Kapitan Petko Voyvoda, near Topolovgrad, Bulgaria.

The treasure includes a gold necklace, a glittering gold crown, a gold ring and even a knife encrusted with gold and semi-precious stones – all buried with the remains of a Roman warrior, dating back to the early 1st century AD.

Topolovgrad authorities recently shared this exciting news on their Facebook page and said that the excavations were conducted by the same team last year.

The team also unearthed several weapons and a breastplate, all of which indicated that this warrior was no ordinary soldier but a knight from a wealthy and influential family.

The presence of a horse buried next to the remains adds to this rich story.

Thracian warriors were among the most formidable and distinctive armies of the ancient world, recognized for their unique weaponry, fighting style, and significant contributions to the military history of the Balkans and surrounding regions.

The Thracians, who inhabited areas that now include Bulgaria, Romania, northern Greece, and parts of Turkey, had a lasting impact on the armies of neighboring civilizations such as Greece, Persia, and Rome, highlighting their importance in the ancient military landscape.

The current excavations are being led by Daniela Agre of the National Institute of Archaeology with the Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The team found the treasure on just the second day of excavation.

Among the unearthed treasures was a striking hunting knife with a handle inlaid with precious stones and depicting a hunting dog, Arkeonews reported.

Experts claim that some of the artifacts are unlike anything ever found in Bulgaria.

After the excavation is completed, the artifacts will be transferred to and kept at the Historical Museum in Topolovgrad.