The Rock-cut Cauldrons and the Magical Rituals of Immortalization in Ancient Thrace
Vasil Markov
pp. 62 - 72
 
Title: The Rock-cut Cauldrons and the Magical Rituals of Immortalization in Ancient Thrace
Authors: Vasil Markov

Abstract: The article examines two groups of rock-cut cauldrons from megalithic sanctuaries in Ancient Thrace. One was intended for collecting sacred celestial water. It was sent by the God of the Storm and was used for the ritual transformation of a mortal into an immortal mythological character. The transformation was carried out through a ritual bath. The second group of rock-cut cauldrons are sharapans – they were used for the extraction of sacred wine, carried out by the contact of the divine drink with the sacralized rocks in the megalithic sanctuaries.

Keywords: Rock-cut Cauldrons; Thracian Religion; Megalithic Sanctuaries; Sacralized Water; Sacred Wine.

Received: 12-05-2026     Accepted: 19-06-2026     Published: 30-06-2026

Citation: V. Markov, "The Rock-cut Cauldrons and the Magical Rituals of Immortalization in Ancient Thrace" In: Cultural and Historical Heritage: Preservation, Presentation, Digitalization (KIN Journal), 12(1), 2026. Sofia: Institute of Mathematics and Informatics – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, ISSN 2367-8038, pp. 62-72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55630/KINJ.2026.120105