'Sensational' golden dagger reveals the secrets of life in Thrace 5,000 years ago

A well-preserved 5,000-year-old golden dagger recovered from a tomb in Bulgaria has been described as a "sensational" find that sheds light on the long-lost civilisation of Thrace and shows the Thracians to be sophisticated metal-workers rather than illiterate, bloodthirsty savages.

The artefact, which archaeologists think dates to 3,000BC, is the latest in a series of finds in central Bulgaria that have led to the region being called the "Valley of the Thracian Kings".

"It's really a sensational discovery," said Bozhidar Dimitrov, head of the Bulgarian National Museum of History. "The dagger, which we believe is made of gold and platinum, most probably belonged to a Thracian ruler or to a priest."

More than 500 pieces of delicate golden jewellery were also found in the tomb, itself discovered two years ago near the village of Dubovo, 75 miles east of the capital, Sofia. The objects, unearthed over the past few weeks, have been faultlessly preserved and will soon go on public display.

The dagger, about 16 inches (41cm) long, has kept its sharpness almost five millennia after it was first laid in the earth, Mr Dimitrov said. The engravings on the hilt suggest it was used in sacrifices. "No item of this type was found even in Troy," said Mr Dimitrov.

Little is known about the Thracians, who are believed to have lived in what is now Bulgaria, Romania, northern Greece and Turkey until the 8th century AD when they were assimilated by migrating Slavs.

But, because they are thought not to have used writing, little material has been available for academics to study. In recent decades, however, light has been shed on the culture through a series of finds from a group of mounds in central Bulgaria. Last year, archaeologists found more than 15,000 fragments of golden artefacts near Dubovo - which restorers reassembled to form several golden necklaces. Other finds include a golden mask and a magnificent crown wreath.

"The mounds seem to be part of a complex. Some of them resemble tombs, while others appear to be ritual sites where ancient people buried gifts for the gods," said Martin Hristov, the lead archaeologist at the digs in the region.

The Thracians were described by Herodotus, the Greek historian of the 5th century BC - who may have been biased, as savage and bloodthirsty warriors. This latest find suggests they were expert at more delicate industry. Archaeologists say the dagger indicates they used complex metal-working methods which, for the period, were sophisticated.

"This significant find confirmed that people in this region were familiar with what was then high technology in metal processing," Mr Dimitrov said.