Major new discovery at Perperikon: Seal of Byzantine Empress unearthed

A personal seal belonging to Byzantine empress Irene Doukaina Komnene Laskarina is the latest discovery made during archaeological excavations at Perperikon, an ancient city in the Eastern Rhodopes that is now one of Bulgaria’s most significant archaeological sites. The find was presented to journalists by Prof. Nikolay Ovcharov, head of the archaeological team.

The seal, dating from the 13th century, is only the fifth known in the world to be associated with Irene, the wife of Byzantine Emperor John III Doukas Vatatzes and mother of the heir to the throne, Theodore Laskaris. She was related to Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II, as his daughter Elena married Theodore Laskaris.

In the Middle Ages, such seals were used to seal and authenticate letters and documents. The discovery therefore suggests that there may have been extensive correspondence between the Bulgarian court and the Byzantine ruling family.

The period between 1233 and 1235 was particularly important for relations between the two states. Following his victory over the ruler of Epirus, Theodore Komnenos Doukas, at the Battle of Klokotnitsa in 1230, Ivan Asen II strengthened Bulgaria’s position. In 1235, the Bulgarian Patriarchate was restored and recognized by the Orthodox Church at a church council held in Lampsacus.

The seal is particularly valuable for its depiction of Irene wearing a crown and imperial robes on one side, while the other side features Christ. According to Prof. Ovcharov, such iconography is extremely rare.

The find is the fourth seal of a major ruler discovered at Perperikon, following those of Byzantine emperors Anastasius, Constantine IX Monomachos, and Andronikos II Palaiologos, as well as the gold seal of Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Alexander.

Read also:

• Bulgarian archaeologists uncover large circular temple at Perperikon

• Perperikon is among the world's top 10 ancient wonders

Edited by Elena Karkalanova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov