The Roman and Byzantium periods
Systematic archaeological research of a Roman camp was carried out by Spas Mashov. It was discovered that this was the “late ancient” and early Bizantium town of Augusta near the village of Harlets. Studies were made of the preserved part of the fortification system of the military camp and the town, as well as of the following: a Roman villa-rustica in the village of Galatin where a richly ornamented mosaic was discovered ; a Roman villa-rustica near the village of Dolna Kremena with a peculiar layout, rich architectural decoration and sculptural plastic arts; a Roman villa-rustica in the Rosnenetsa locality near the village of Urvene with a well- preserved mausoleum and six other buildings.
Studies over a long period of time were made by Dora Dimitrova and Tsvetana Dermsizova of the ancient stronghold Kaleto near the town of Mezdra. After a 12 year break, the studies were resumed by Spas Mashov and Sergey Torbatov from the Institute of Archeology and Museums and The Bulgarian Academy of Science.
Georgi Dzhingov and Spas Mashov studied an early Christian basilica dating back to the 4th-6th c. in the Koriten Grad locality near the village of Lyuti Brod. These newly discovered “Kämpfer Capitals” were ornamented with relief decorations of early Christian symbols.
In the Manastira locality in the village of Ochin Dol, Spas Mashov and Georgi Ganetsovski excavated an early Christian church dating back to 5th-7th c. with a baptistery and a chapel.
