Archaeologists working at the ruins of Ratiária, an ancient Roman city on the banks of the Danube in present-day Bulgaria, have advanced over 100 meters of an underground channel used to guide rainwater. Concurrently, the excavations revealed parts of the ancient baths, including structures associated with hot baths and heated swimming pools.
According to a report from Diário do Litoral, published on September 4, 2026, by Thiago Felipe Camargo, the research will continue until the end of October. In addition to the excavations, the schedule includes restoration and conservation of the structures revealed during this season.
Ratiária was located on the banks of the Danube River
Research in Ratiária continues until October, with restoration and conservation of the revealed structures / Rosen Mladenov / BTA
The research is taking place in the central sector of Ratiária, considered one of the main ancient cities in the Danube region.
The archaeological site preserves Roman urban structures that help researchers reconstruct the operation of the city and the transformations that occurred over the centuries.
More than 100 meters of the underground channel have already been investigated
Archaeologists continue excavations at the ancient baths of Ratiária, a Roman city on the banks of the Danube / Rosen Mladenov / BTA
The drainage structure is one of the main focuses of this season.
Archaeologists have already examined more than 100 meters of underground galleries, trying to understand how the channel integrated with the urban infrastructure of Ratiária.
Channel Used to Direct Rainwater
Among the structures found are parts of the caldarium, an area designated for hot baths, and heated water pools / Rosen Mladenov / BTA
The gallery under investigation was part of the city’s drainage system.
According to sources, it functioned to direct rainwater, preventing accumulation in the urban area and channeling the flow to the underground network.
Researchers are now attempting to clarify the complete path of this structure.
One of the unresolved questions involves the final destination of the canal.
Researchers are trying to identify the point where the drainage gallery connected to the main sewer network of the Roman city.
This connection is considered important for understanding the planning of the urban hydraulic system.
Baths Revealed Area for Hot Baths
Excavations have also progressed through the ancient baths.
Among the remains found are sections that likely belonged to the central sector of the complex, including a caldarium, a space traditionally designated for hot baths.
Heated Water Pools Appear Among the Structures
In addition to the caldarium, archaeologists identified parts of heated water pools.
These elements reinforce the interpretation that the excavated sector was part of an important area of the thermal complex.
The research continues to define the original organization of the space with greater precision.
Late Antiquity Reforms Modified the Complex
The study faces a challenge due to interventions made during Antiquity itself.
During the Late Antiquity, this sector underwent several reforms that altered previous structures.
These modifications complicate the complete reconstruction of the original configuration of the baths.
Archaeologists Are Not Expected to Complete the Entire Area This Season
More than 100 meters of the underground channel used to direct rainwater have already been investigated / Rosen Mladenov / BTA
The complexity of the sector limits the pace of the investigation.
According to the source, researchers do not expect to complete the study of the entire area of the baths during the current season.
Part of the work will need to continue in future phases, especially due to the age of the renovations and the size of the complex.
Excavations continue until the end of October
About 65 workers and eight archaeologists participate in the research, which continues until the end of October / Rosen Mladenov / BTA
The archaeological schedule still anticipates weeks of work.
Field research will continue until the end of October, during which the team intends to advance excavations and start preservation interventions on already exposed structures.
About 65 workers participate in the research
The scale of the operation involves dozens of people.
The season features approximately 65 workers, nearly identical to the number recorded the previous year.
They work alongside the specialized team responsible for the archaeological investigation.
Eight archaeologists are part of the field team
In addition to support workers, eight archaeologists directly participate in the activities at Ratiária.
The group oversees excavation, interpretation of structures, documentation, and preparation of conservation measures.
Project receives 230,000 euros this season
The research is supported by specific public funding.
This season, the project received 230,000 euros through a Bulgarian program aimed at sites deemed a priority by the State.
The same amount had been allocated to the research in the previous three years.
Inflation reduced the purchasing power of the funding
Despite the maintenance of the nominal value, the budget has lost real capacity.
According to the archaeologist responsible for the research, Zdravko Dimitrov, inflation has reduced the purchasing power of the 230,000 euros compared to the project’s initial years.
This increases pressure on planning, conservation, and the continuation of work.
Structures already studied need permanent conservation
The archaeological discovery does not conclude work the moment a wall or gallery is uncovered.
Much of the baths already studied requires continuous conservation to prevent deterioration caused by exposure.
Therefore, preservation and restoration play an important role in the team’s planning.
Dimitrov advocates for a comprehensive restoration project
Zdravko Dimitrov stated that the complex requires an integrated strategy.
According to him, it is necessary to develop a complete restoration and conservation project, also involving the City Hall of Dimovo.
The proposal aims to protect the structures that have already been revealed and organize the next steps for the archaeological site.
Baths may eventually be opened to the public
Preservation may also affect visitation.
After the restoration and conservation steps, parts of the baths that have already been studied may be opened to the public, according to the proposal mentioned by the archaeologist.
However, the opening depends on the completion of these measures and was not presented as immediate.
Team tries to preserve complex while expanding excavations
By the end of October, work is expected to advance simultaneously on two fronts: discovering new structures and protecting those that have already been found.
In Ratiária, more than 100 meters of the underground channel have already been investigated, parts of the baths with caldarium and heated pools have been identified, and the archaeologists are still searching for the point where the drainage connected to the main sewage network of the ancient Roman city.
In your opinion, what stands out the most in Ratiária: the more than 100 meters of underground galleries, the baths with heated pools, or the complexity of the Roman drainage and sewage system? Leave your opinion in the comments.