Well-Preserved Roman Statue Unearthed in Bulgarian Construction Project

Construction workers in the Bulgarian city of Varna uncovered an exceptionally well-preserved marble statue during a project.

The Varna Regional Museum of History announced the discovery on October 15, 2024, via a Facebook post.

The statue, standing slightly taller than a human, depicts a middle-aged man with a short beard, clad in a Roman toga and holding a scroll. 

An inscription on a pedestal identified the subject as G(ai) Marie Hermogen, according to the museum.

The toga worn by the man suggests a close connection to Roman authorities during his lifetime, according to the Facebook post. 

The statue has sustained minimal damage, with only the right wrist missing and slight facial damage, the Varna Regional Museum of History reported. 

The statue was found outside the fortress walls. Upon discovery, construction contractor Georgi Kraychev promptly reported the find to the museum, the Facebook post states. 

This past summer, archaeologists unearthed another statue in Bulgaria. This one was discovered near Bulgaria’s southeastern border with Greece. 

The statue was discovered in July 2024. It had been buried beneath dirt for approximately 2,000 years, Digital previously reported. The statue of the stands 7 feet tall.

This particular find was discovered during the excavation of an ancient Roman sewer in the city of Heraclea Sintica, Digital reported.