The Thracian treasures were discovered right after World War Two. There were hundreds of places which were suspected to hide tombs and treasures, but there were no more consistent searches. In 1992, archaeologist Georgi Kitov from Bulgaria planned a large campaign, but only got a little money and couldn't afford to dig only for one week. Also, he had a choice: to dig randomly, hoping to find sometimes which would convince the authorities to give him more money or to give up on the idea and try to get more funds for the future. He chose the first option.
He searched the Malkata tumulus, but the first three days only brought disappointment. Then, the gold started to appear as the tomb was revealed. However, the peace of the one buried also had to suffer. There was a sudden rain and strong winds all of a sudden, the archaeological camp being destroyed. Kitov moved on. He got funds and led the expedition for seven years. He discovered fabulous treasures those years, as well as incredible funerary constructions, impressive wall paintings, symbols and indecipherable mysteries. In other words, a lost world seemed to be lost forever. This is how the Valley of the Thracian Kings was discovered. Most of the royal tombs of the Thracian kings are only a few miles away from Kazanlak.
Today, the tombs are included in the UNESCO patrimony and they are extremely well preserved. There is even an imitation of the tomb in Kazanlak, which tourists can visit so that the original tomb is exposed as rarely as possible. There are paths leading to those tombs, ventilation systems, preservation conditions, indicators and tourist guides. The Bulgarians have developed an incredible tourism based on the Thracian legacy. They talk about the Thracian people all the time, this having become a sort of print on the Bulgarian civilization we know today.
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