Perperikon: A Civilization of the Rock People - gebunden oder broschiert

The book provides general information about the epoch in question. It features information about the Thracian culture as a whole: its beliefs, way of life, art and achievements. It follows chronologically how Perperikon was developed, the periods it had witnessed, the way its outlook and function changed in time. The historical evidence is backed up with a lot of excellent photographs which fully give idea of the sites discussed in this book. Another interesting point to make is that the book does not limit itself to Perperikon only: there were included other curious sites of historical importance: the sanctuary of Orpheus near the village of Tatoul, the sites of Belintash, Glouhite kamuni and many more. There are also provided maps showing the distribution of rock toms in the eastern Rodopi Mountains. Perperikon is archeological site is of great importance to Bulgaria, the Balkan peninsula and even to the rest of the world. It is located in the wilderness of the Eastern Rhodope Mountains, near the Bulgarian town of Kardzhali. Naturally, one may ask oneself what is so unique about this archeological find. First, it became evident that Perperikon had a 7000-year history (most recent research proves that the years may go beyond 8000!) beginning in the depth of pre-historic times and lasting until the late Middle Ages. Perperikon was witness to the Hellenistic period, its great achievements compared to the ones of Mikena and Troy. Still, Perperikon's most vigorous bloom occurred in the Thracian proper and Roman times. Perperikon started to gain even greater popularity when the Orphic and Dionysian ritesturned out to have been practiced there. Lots of evidence points to the function of the complex as a place for mystic and fortune-telling practices. Perperikon is even compared to the Temple of Delphi by the archeologists.