Bulgarian archaeologists unearth rare cross in early Christian basilica
Bulgarian archaeologists have unearthed a rare cross during the excavation of an early Christian basilica in the town of Sandanski in southwestern Bulgaria, near the border with Greece, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reported.
The bronze cross was found in the basilica’s baptistery. About 54cm tall, the cross is shaped like a cross formee, with arms narrowing towards the centre, but is unusual in having round knobs at the top of the points.
“This type [of cross] where the points are tipped with knobs is very rarely encountered in other parts of Europe,” the director of the Sandanski archaeological museum, Vladimir Petkov said.
On the floor of the basilica, the archaeologists also found mosaics – a rare occurrence in early Christian churches in Bulgaria – some of which were arranged in the shape of a plant.
(Screengrab from Bulgarian National Television)
