Unique Golden Heart Discovered in Bulgaria's Veliki Preslav

A team of archeologists in Veliki Preslav has discovered a unique golden heart previously applied to the garment of a high-ranking person.

Archeologists assume that this person was Tsaritsa Maria, wife of Tsar Petar (927-970).

The jewel was made by using cell enamel technique and was discovered at a depth of one meter during the last days of the excavations of the palace of the royal family.

The finding is unique because, after the discovery of the Preslav Golden Treasure in 1978, no well-preserved jewelry belonging to the royal family has been discovered again, stated Dr Stoycho Bonev, head of the excavations team.

Such findings can be seen only in elite museums like the Louvre and the Hermitage. The Preslav museum belongs to this category. The golden heart was displayed there on Friday and will remain in the museum.

It is indisputable that the jewel was made in Constantinople in the 10th century. We can only assume that it is part of the Preslav Golden Treasure, added Bonev.