The Center of Archaeometry with Laboratory of Restoration and Reconstruction was founded in 2003, is part of the Department of History at Sofia University "St. Kl. Ohridski ”and is located in the city of Sofia. Specializes in analytical, non-invasive research of archaeological collections, art monuments and studies for reconstruction and restoration of archaeological artifacts made of metal, glass, ceramics, bone, etc. The center is active regionally (Sofia) and nationally level with academic and research institutions, the Ministry of Culture and is in cooperation with the EU organizations through a number of research projects.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIALS: Characterization, analysis and origin of archaeological materials

ENVIRONMENT: Studies for the reconstruction of the paleo- and archeo-environment.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES: Use of new technologies for cultural heritage research.

INFRASTRUCTURE:

• Laboratory for sample preparation
• Laboratory for restoration and conservation of metal and glass
• Laboratory for restoration and conservation of ceramics
• Radiographic laboratory equipped with Eresko MF4
• Analytical laboratory (µ-XRF –Mistral M1 Bruker, p-XRF-S1 Titan Bruker, p-IR-ALFA I- Bruker, Raman Spectroscopy, Bruker)
• Laboratory of Dendrochronology
• Microscopes - 3, Optika Italy
• Metallographic microscope with Kern Optics camera
• Faro laser scanner, FocusS 70
• Scanning robotic total station Trimble SX10

RESEARCHERS:

• Dr. Velislav Bonev  R2 researcher
• Chief Assistant Prof. Dr. Boika Zlateva
• PhD student Violeta Karailieva

PROJECTS:

• The Armor of the Thracian Wars: A Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Study of Bronze Protective Weapons from Thrace
• Hidden localities and famous finds: geoarchaeological research in the valley of the Matnitsa River, Southwestern Bulgaria
• Landscape archeology: models for the reconstruction of the ancient living environment
• Elemental composition of metal artefacts from the Thracian city in Sboryanovo near Isperih, RIM Razgrad and RIM Ruse
• Archeology of raw materials: chemical and geological analyzes
• Composition of metal belt accessories from the Great migration period of the people
• Developing Radiation Treatment Methodologies and New Resin Formulations for Consolidation and Preservation of Archived Materials and Cultural Heritage Artefacts (IAEA, Wien, Austria)
• Creation of a specialized electronic library for research and identification of artistic artifacts in order to preserve the Bulgarian cultural heritage
• Archaic stone architectural decoration by Apollonia Pontica
• Center for localization and experimental reconstruction of ancient roads and habitats through the methods of spatial analysis and archaeometry
• Application of Analytical Chemistry Methods for Quantification of Neutron Tomographic data from Cultural Heritage Objects (IAEA, Wien, Austria)
• Technological achievements and paleodiet of the people from the Greek colonies on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast
• Chemical composition of glasses from the Roman and post-Roman era from Southeastern Bulgaria
• Archaeometric analysis of mortar from the pre-Roman and Roman times in the Bulgaria
• Archaeometric study of the gold finds from the Varna Eneolithic necropolis and identification of the gold sources
• Creation of forecast models for identification of archeological sites along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast in GIS environment