Karanovo is a 24,000 square meter archaeological mound near Nova Zagora, rising 13 meters above the fertile Thracian plain at the foot of the Sredna Gora mountains. Settled continuously from the 7th Millennium BC, the site yields seven consecutive cultural strata spanning early Neolithic through Bronze Age, revealing the development of prehistoric Thracian society. A perfectly preserved Thracian aristocratic chariot burial from the 1st century AD, laden with precious weapons and luxurious Roman glass and silver vessels, exemplifies the site's historical richness. The National History Museum and Nova Zagora's local museum house the finest early Neolithic pottery with enigmatic symbols and decorations discovered during excavations.
