EXPLORATIONS OF HISARLAKA FORTRESS NEAR THE VILLAGE OF ANEVO (Ivan Dzhambov – history@uni-plovdiv.bg, Maria Deyanova) The Early Byzantine fortress dates to the 4th – 6th centuries AD and has a rectangular layout and a proteichisma. Dwellings and farm buildings were situated inside. During the second period of inhabitation: 9th – 10th centuries AD, semi-sunken floored dwellings were built inside the fortress. The foundations of the northeastern tower that was additionally used as a dwelling were explored. The tower is 4.45 m by 6.40 m in size. The width of the wall is 1 m and the entrance is from the south. The pottery shows the tower was inhabited during the 5th – 6th and 9th – 10th centuries AD. A dwelling situated inside the fortress was discovered. Its foundations were built of stones with a bonding medium of mud, while the width of the walls is 70 cm. Pottery from the 5th – 6th and 9th – 10th centuries AD, animal bones, parts of iron tools, a bronze applique etc. were found. A heavily burnt copper coin, most likely minted by Justinian I or Iustinus II, was discovered, thus supporting the fact that the fortress was destroyed during a conflagration. During the 9th – 10th centuries AD, a semi-sunken floored dwelling was constructed over the remains of the stone building. Its floor was of trampled clay and the walls were lath-and-plaster. A large dwelling with walls 90 cm in width was discovered close to the northern fortification wall. Its entrance was from the west. The walls were constructed of uneven stones with a bonding medium of mud. The building was inhabited during the 5th – 6th and 9th – 10th centuries AD. A copper coin of Justinian I and a significant quantity of 10th century pottery, besides sherds of the 5th – 6th centuries AD, were found.