EXPLORATIONS IN THE PALATIAL CENTER OF PRESLAV (Stoicho Bonev – stoi40_50@abv.bg) The excavations in the southwestern corner of the Palatial Center in Preslav covered an area of 300 sq. m. The explorations of the large building with a portico situated to the west of the baths and the pavement lying to the north of the pilasters continued. Two rooms and part of a third one were discovered within the building. The rooms are quadrangular, measuring 6.20 m by 6.20 m, and are interconnected through entrances. A row of bases of pilasters was part of the portico constructed in front of the northern façade of the building. Two bases of pilasters were discovered, in addition to two others found in 2004. The third pilaster stood at 2.50 m from the second one and the fourth pilaster stood at 4.30 m from the third one. Part of a two-step enclosing wall built of ashlars was discovered between both pilasters. The wall surrounded an extensive area, including the row of pilasters. A building with complex layout was discovered in the middle of the enclosed area. It was part of the architectural complex, which includes the explored monuments and dates to the Capital period (10th century AD). The foundations of the building are 80 cm in width and lie at 60 cm in depth. A room measuring 2 m by 2 m with an entrance from the west, 60 cm in width, leading to another room, was explored in the southeastern part of the building. Most likely, the buildings explored in the Palatial Center had sacred functions. A Christian cemetery functioned during the 12th – 13th centuries over the debris of these buildings. One hundred and five graves dug at 0.80 – 1.80 m in depth were discovered on an area of 160 sq. m.