TheThracians (Bulgarian:Траки,Ancient Greek:Θρᾷκες,Latin:Thraci) were a group ofIndo-European tribes inhabiting a large area in Central and Southeastern Europe, centred in modernBulgaria.[2] They were bordered by theScythians to the north, theCelts and theIllyrians to the west, theGreeks to the south, and theBlack Sea to the east.
TheThracians were skillful craftsmen. They made beautifully ornate golden and silver objects such as various kinds of vessels,rhytons, facial masks, pectorals, jewelry, weapons, etc. These show strong, and increasing, influence from the neighbouring cultures, especially the Greeks. They used to bury rich hoards of precious objects both to hide them in times of enemy invasions and unrest as well as for ritual purposes. To date, more than 80 Thracian treasures have been excavated inBulgaria, the cradle of the Thracian civilization. Refer to the map which explicitly shows the territory of present-day Bulgaria.
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