Ottoman Turks possibly perpetrated massacre during 14th Century Bulgarian siege

Ottoman Turks possibly perpetrated massacres during their invasion of the Rodopi region, the discovery of a Christian necropolis outside the ruins of the city of Perperikon, near the town of Kardzhali, in Southern Bulgaria, has revealed.

Sofia, Aug 27 : Ottoman Turks possibly perpetrated massacres during their invasion of the Rodopi region, the discovery of a Christian necropolis outside the ruins of the city of Perperikon, near the town of Kardzhali, in Southern Bulgaria, has revealed.

The city of Perperikon has been inhabited since around 5000 BC, while a nearby shrine dedicated to Orpheus, near the village of Tatul, dates back to 6000 BC and is older than the Pyramids of Giza.

The team of Bulgarian archaeologists led by Nikolay Ovcharov found 15 tombs dating back to the 14th century, outside the ruins of the medieval fortress near the rock sanctuary of Perperikon.

Ovcharov said the tombs were most likely the resting place of the fortress' defenders executed following its siege by Turkish emir Orhan in 1362.

"I have been exploring medieval necropolises for 15 years, but this is the most dramatic and emotional find," Sofia News Agency quoted archaeologist Hitko Vachev, who discovered the necropolis, as saying.

He said the find gave additional weight to the claims that Ottoman troops perpetrated massacres during their invasion of the Rodopi region.

According to the news agency report, the ancient city fell into disuse after the Ottomans swept through the area in the 14th century.

ANI