RESCUE EXCAVATIONS NEAR THE TOWN OF HARMANLI (Tatyana Kancheva–Ruseva, Veselin Ignatov – ignatov_v@abv.bg, Krasimir Velkov, Konstantin Gospodinov) The ditch, which is 16.50 m in length and 2.50 m in width, was explored in Sector 1. Ritual pits, 2.50 – 4.20 m in diameter and 80 cm in depth, were excavated at three places within the ditch. In addition, charcoals and ash were discovered in some places. The finds include fragmentary lath-and-plaster and building terracottas, and sherds of the Early Iron Age (11th – 6th centuries BC), the Late Iron Age (5th – 1st centuries BC) and the Roman period. Ten net sinkers were found. Three steps dug into the bedrock, which were used for the foundation of the П-like structure, and four postholes dug into the bedrock were discovered. The house, partly explored in 2004, was thoroughly excavated in Sector 2. It measures 3.20 m by 4.20 m and is 1.10 m in depth. Early mediaeval sherds were found. No traces of fire were registered. Three pits, 1.30 m in diameter and up to 2.50 m in depth, were explored. They contain charcoals, ash, animal bones, shells and mediaeval sherds. A copper applique and a gilded silver ornament were found as well. A corner of a wall built of stones with a bonding medium of mud and piles of stones, charcoals and fragmentary lath-and-plaster were discovered in trench C24/G24. House No. 1, which is 3.80 m by 3.40 m in size and 80 cm in depth, was explored in Sector 4. The postholes were found, too. The house was destroyed by fire. A hearth constructed of broken stones was discovered in its northeastern corner. House No. 2, measuring 3.70 m by 3.50 m, was excavated. No traces of fire were registered. A hearth constructed of broken stones was discovered in its northeastern corner. The floor was made of bricks. Both houses come from the Middle Ages.