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The structures at Mishkova Niva and Propada localities near Malko Tarnovo are domed tombs under mounds (Fig. 1–2). Their plan and constructions display many similarities, suggesting a common origin. The central chamber of the structures is a tholos roofed with radially arranged blocks. Their constructions share a common design, but each one has its specifics. The tholos tomb at Mishkova Niva is considered to be earlier and a prototype of the one at Propada. Based on archaeological material and context, the tombs are dated to the end of the 2nd and the beginning of the 3rd century AD, but constructional and architectural features suggest a date in the 5th–3rd century BC. The present paper discusses various aspects of the dome covering of the burial chambers and the origin of the two monuments under consideration. In Thrace, there are no exact parallels of the roofing constructions of the tholos tombs at Mishkova Niva and Propada. Similar structures could be found in Greek and Roman architecture. There are possible parallels among buildings with a round plan and conical roof –tholoi and rotundas. The structures presented in the paper belong mainly to funerary monuments from the period between the 4th century BC and the 2nd century AD. Their distinguishing feature is the shape and construction of the roof – a cone made of radially arranged slabs or blocks with complex profiles. Two large groups could be distinguished, provisionally termed Eastern (the Aegean region), dated to the 4th century BCE – 2nd century AD (Figs 6, 10, 18-19), and western (the Apennine Peninsula) from the 1st century BCЕ – 1st century AD (Figs 7–9). Differences between the shapes and constructions of the covering are highlighted. Based on the analysis, a similarity could be identified between the Western Group and the monument at Propada (Fig. 2). The tomb at Mishkova Niva (Fig. 1) displays similarities with the Tower of the Winds in Athens (Fig. 20) (mid-2nd – mid-1st century BCE), which occupies an intermediate position between the Eastern and Western groups. The complete analysis of the constructions and the adduced examples from the Greek and Roman architecture, as well as the historical processes, support the archaeological date of the structures in the late 2nd – early 3rd century AD.

The site at Mishkova niva near the town of Malko Tarnovo is a domed tomb under a mound (Fig. 1 – 6, 10). The mound is surrounded by high cylindrical crepis (h – 1.80; d – 23/25 m) with a representative facade (Fig. 7 – 9). Inside the mound, a second crepis was built (h – 1.00/1.50?; d – 17/19 m). The tomb is composed of a long dromos (h – 1.85; 5.30 x 1.47 m), a central circular chamber (h – 2.90; d – 2.70/3.70 m) and a rectangular lateral one (h – 1.00/1.50?; 2.10/2.30 x 1.40 m). No dating materials were found during the archaeological excavations. The tomb was revealed plundered and destroyed. Based on the archaeological context and the similarity with the tomb at Propada locality (Fig. 12) the monument was dated to the end of the 2nd – beginning of the 3rd c. AD (Delev 1985: 75 – 79). Some researchers (architects and cultural anthropologists) dispute the date and the type of the monument as they interpret it as a sanctuary/ heroon whose construction and architectural characteristics put it in 5th – 3rd c. BC (Rousseva 2000: 96 – 108). The current paper attempts to systematize the information accumulated over the years. From the overview of the available data and the possible parallels of the tomb at Mishkova niva the following conclusions can be defined:

●The design of the facility is directly inspired by the Roman funerary monuments with high cylindrical crepis, which add monumental architectural outlook of the mound. Possible parallels of the tomb come from the central areas of the Roman state and date from the period of the late republic and early imperial period (1st c. BC – beginning of 2nd c. AD). In the provinces their different versions are used till the Late Antiquity (Fig. 24 – 34);

●The elements of the covering construction of the central chamber and those of the synchronous tomb at the Propada locality are similar to the tholoi and the rotundas in Greek-Roman architecture. Preserved monuments for comparison originate mainly from the Apennines region and to a limited extent from Attica and Asia Minor. The period of their distribution is again in the late republic and early imperial times (middle of the 2nd c. BC – beginning and the middle of the 2nd c. AD) (Fig. 6, 11 – 12, 14, 38 – 41);

●The style and symbolism of the pediment have a strong Roman pattern and are widespread within the empire. According to the best examples from Thrace and the neighbouring provinces, it could be dated in the second half of the 2nd c. AD (Fig. 7 – 8, 15). Both the analysis of the structure and the discussed examples from the Greek and Roman architecture support the archaeological interpretation and dating of the site – a tomb from the late 2nd beginning of the 3rd c. AD.

The present article examines vaulted graves and tombs from Thracian Roman provinces (1st–3rdcentury AD). Typology of the different grave constructions is offered. Different types are distinguished ethnically as well – Thracians and immigrants from other provinces. According to the grave offerings and the locality, constructions connected with Thracian inhabitants are determined as graves of priests with medial abilities.