AMPHITHEATRUM SERDICAENSE (Zharin Velichkov – zharin@abv.bg) Layers of the 2nd – 3rd centuries AD were explored outside the area of the amphitheatre. They are not related to specific structures but testify to the occupation that preceded the construction of the amphitheatre. A small marble statue of Asclepius and a bronze female head of a small statue were found. More than 40 coins were also found. Five radial walls that adjoin a semicircular wall were discovered on the arena of the amphitheatre. They belonged to an earlier Roman theatre that functioned during the 2nd – 3rd centuries AD. The semicircular wall surrounded the orchestra of the theatre. Two walls, which belonged to the skene and the proskenion, were also explored. The Roman theatre was destroyed after the mid 3rd century AD, most likely during the construction of the Late Antique amphitheatre. The curve wall surrounding the arena of the amphitheatre was discovered. Three ashlars with vertical grooves were found. They were part of entrances of rooms leading to the arena. The entrances were closed with cataracts and presumably animals were kept inside the rooms. The arena and the vomitorium were discovered. A cuneus with two entrances, towards the arena and the vomitorium, was explored. The double curve wall of the cavea, constructed in opus mixtum, was discovered. The wall of the arena and the curve wall were connected through three radial walls, separating the cunei and built in opus mixtum. Entrances existed in the two radial walls. About 18 seats fallen on the arena were found. The amphitheatre was built at the end of the 3rd and the beginning of the 4th centuries AD, during the reign of Diocletian and Constantine I. During the excavations, 237 copper and bronze coins were found. The latest coins were minted by Theodosius I, Arcadius and Honorius. They show that the amphitheatre was abandoned during the reign of Theodosius I, presumably in AD 394.