very interesting project!

[vergilius]

Ancient Town 'Sevtopolis', Submerged on a Lake Bottom to be Reconstructed
Association ‘Preserve the Bulgarian' starts action for the realizing of ‘Sevtopolis' project.
At first the organizators will collect subscription list throughout the whole country, the projects author and major architect Jeko Tilev announced.
Sevtopolis or the City of Tracian King Sevt III is capital of the Odyisian state in the end of IV - beginning of III century before Christ.
It was found and observed in 1948 - 1954 by the construction works of Koprinka dam like and afterwards, however, submerged in the lake waters.
This is the first and best preserved Thracian city in Bulgaria, located 7 km western from the Thracian capital of Bulgaria - Kazanlak and 2 kilometers from the ‘Goliyama Kosmatka' tomb, where the biggest Thracian treasures were found.
The reconstruction of the ancient city, located on the lake bottom was hindered to the moment by undecided judicial matters.
Few foreign companies have already shown interest towards subsidizing the initiative.
According to architect Jeko Tilev the financing of the project won't injure the state subsidizing of other archaeological objects, due to the fact it would depend mainly on public- private partnership and support by EU funds.
The reconstruction of Sevtopolis won't use state budget recourses.
There won't be any ecological harm over the local fauna. It is previewed the reservoir to be drawn out during the city walls' reconstruction but this won't be dangerous for the local environment.
The projects author pointed out the social - economical and scientific significance which the Sevtopolis reconstruction will have. It will attract many tourists and will develop the infrastructure in the region.
The project has the support of many world organizations from Netherlands, USA, Canada, Spain and also lots of state institutions, though haven't still received official answer.

Don't forget to look at the picture at the link !
Link : http://international.ibox.bg/news/id_867826041

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Interesting....and scary! Water levels would need great consideration!

[Berbescu]

I didn't quite understand all that. The site of the Thracian city was flooded when they built the dam? Now they are going to drain the reservoir to... excavate the city? ...create a replica? ...build a wall around the site and then reflood the area?

[vergilius]

I found it strange too but at least they 're trying something and I find the idea very original.

[sitalkes]

The site of Seuthopolis was found when they were building the dam, and fully excavated before it was drowned. There is a large book available about it. It's an extraordinary project, to build walls around the site, then suck the water out, and turn it into a tourist attraction that involves taking a boat out to the site, then taking a lift to the dam floor. As the only site of a Thracian city it is a significatnt site. However, the remains are not very exciting, being mainly just the foundations of the buildings of the former city. I guess tourists would go there just for the sheer novelty of going down to the floor of a working dam without getting their feet wet (assuming nothing broke!!). It's the most imaginative project of its type, let's hope they succeed!
The city only survived for thirty years or so, before being destroyed during the Celtic invasion.

[Berbescu]

I've now been reading up on this. It's very interesting. I think it would be great to see it, not just for the archaeological site but also for the novelty of this modern construction to hold back the water. I wonder if the wall around the site will have glass windows so you can see out into the reservoir.

[M. Demetrius]

I wonder if the wall around the site will have glass windows so you can see out into the reservoir.

Remember, last one out, be sure to turn off the lights and close the windows!