Nikolay Ovcharov

Nikolay Ovcharov (Bulgarian: Николай Овчаров) (born 1957 in Veliko Tarnovo) is a Bulgarian archaeologist and thracologist. Nikolay Ovcharov is known for his archaeological expeditions in Perperikon, a unique ancient Thracian city located in the eastern Rhodopes, as well as Tatul - the prehistoric surface tomb and sanctuary located near a village of the same name.

Biography Nikolay Ovcharov graduated with a degree in History from Sofia University in 1981 and specialized in Archaeology and Traceology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Ovcharov holds a PhD and D.Sc. in History from the National Archaeological Institute and received a professorship from the International Slavic Institute, a Moscow-based university. In 2012, Nikolay Ovcharov was awarded the title ‘academic’ form the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Archaeological expeditions in Perperikon and Tatul Nikolay Ovcharov is principally known for his archaeological expeditions in Perperikon, a unique ancient Thracian city located in the eastern Rhodopes. Perperikon is considered to have been a famous sanctuary and oracular shrine dedicated to the worship of Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility, by the Bessi, an independent Thracian tribe.

In 2005, German scholars from the University of Heidelberg confirmed that the two rather small fragments discovered by Ovcharov in the Eastern Rhodopes mountains are written in the Minoan Linear A script from about 15th century BC.

Ovcharov has also been credited for his archaeological expeditions in Tatul, a Thracian surface tomb located in southern Bulgaria. Tatul has been recognised as an exclusive religious centre in the region which according to Ovcharov was the site of the sanctuary and tomb of an influential Thracian leader who was deified after his death. Ovcharov has theorised Tatul to have been linked to the cult of Orpheus, a legendary musician and prophet in ancient Greek religion. In 2019, Ovcharov began writing for Trud, a Bulgarian daily newspaper, leading a weekend column focused on history and archaeology. From 2002 to 2007, Ovcharov was the host of ‘The Holy Grail’, a Bulgarian history television show produced by Evrokom, a Bulgarian television channel. The show received numerous awards and recognitions, including an award by the Eurasian Academy of Television and Radio, a Moscow-based film organisation.

Cultural work and achievements In addition to his academic and archaeological work, Ovcharov is actively involved with developing cultural activities in Bulgaria. From 2014 to 2021, Ovcharov served as the lead advisor to the Minister of Culture of Bulgaria. From 2018 to 2019, Ovcharov organised the government-led initiative ‘Mission Bulgaria’ together with Professor Plamen Pavlov, a prominent Bulgarian historian. As part of the initiative, Ovcharov and Pavlov gave lectures exploring the history and culture of Bulgaria in universities and embassies across the globe, including in China, India, Russia, and Switzerland.

Ovcharov holds numerous awards and recognitions for his work in Bulgaria, including:

In 2000, Ovcharov became an honorary citizen of Kardzhali, a town in southern Bulgaria. In 2009, Ovcharov received an award named after Professor Alexander Fol, a prominent Bulgarian historian, for his research in the field of Traceology. In 2010, Ovcharov was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the second highest order of Bulgaria awarded for merit in the fields of arts, science, education, and culture. In 2017, Ovcharov received the distinction ‘Golden Age’, a badge of honour awarded by the Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria. In 2017, Ovcharov became an honorary citizen of Zlatograd, a town in southern Bulgaria. In 2018, Ovcharov further became an honorary citizen of Targovishte, a town in northern Bulgaria, and of Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. In 2024, Ovcharov received the title of 'honorary professor' from the Academy of Economics in Svishtov.