Ivan Bonev Gatsov

Professor Ivan Bonev Gatsov serves as Professor and former Department Head at the Department of Archaeology, New Bulgarian University (NBU) since 2000, where he currently teaches specialized courses including Neolithic Studies on the Balkans and Stone-Copper Age in Southeast Europe. His academic career spans over 40 years with concurrent appointments at the National Archaeological Institute with Museum (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1978-2011).

His educational background includes undergraduate studies at Sofia University (1968-1972), doctoral research at Jagiellonian University in Krakow (1973-1978), and Doctor of Sciences degree (2006) for research on prehistoric lithic assemblages from Eastern Thrace. His fieldwork experience encompasses 12 major international excavations across Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Romania, and Georgia since 1973.

Professor Gatsov's research focuses on comparative lithic analysis of Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods in Southeast Europe and Anatolia, with particular expertise in chipped stone assemblages from Eastern Thrace and South Marmara regions (7th-5th millennia BC). His work examines Paleolithic-Mesolithic transitions, obsidian sourcing, and Neolithisation processes through systematic documentation of raw material procurement systems and technological adaptations. Recent publications (2009-2013) emphasize interregional cultural contacts and comparative technological studies between Balkan and Anatolian prehistoric communities.

His 50+ publications include 7 monographs and 40+ journal articles, with recent work appearing in Eurasia Antiqua, Anatolica, and BAR International Series. Key contributions include comprehensive analyses of stone tool technologies at Troy, Barcin Hoyuk, and Pietrele settlements.

Professor Gatsov maintains active international collaborations with the German Archaeological Institute, Dutch Institute in Istanbul, Istanbul University, and Georgian National Museum. His fieldwork methodology integrates excavation with laboratory analysis of lithic artifacts, providing students with hands-on training in material culture studies and regional cultural sequencing.