Archaeological Societies in the Recent History of Bulgaria

Authors:

Pages: 547-565

Abstract:

This text is dedicated to the archaeological societies in the recent history of Bulgaria. They appeared at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, and became widespread between the two world wars. The trustees of these organisations included the most educated and prom inent representatives of the individual settlements, who, together with the honorary members (often eminent scholars, spearheaded the initiative to preserve the antiquities in their respective areas. The main objective of the societies was to search for and preserve antiquities in the individual settle ments and to create interest in them among the population, which is their main activity. The means of achieving this aim were usually to undertake archaeological excavations and scientific excursions; to establish museums, as almost all societies have; to organise talks, exhibitions, etc. The archaeological societies that existed from the end of the 19th century to the first half of the 20th century turned out to be one of the main represent atives of the civic initiative in the field of research, preservation, and promo tion of cultural heritage in Bulgaria. The museum collections that most of the societies organised were fundamental for the future archaeological and historical museums in the country.

Keywords:

archaeological societies, antiquities, archaeological excava tions, museums, cultural heritage.

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