The Rhodope band of megalithic sites
Kovil is located in the eastern Rhodope in South-East Bulgaria.
The neighbouring sites
Kovil is one of many megalithic sites of the eastern Rhodope, many of which have not yet been visited and added to the inventory. Some are already inventorised:
- Perperikon
- Studen Kladenets
- Beli Plast
- Gnyazevo
- Dolni Glavanak
Elevation
The 2 sections of the megalithic are elevated above a valley that lies 100 metres lower.
Erosion
Kovil is heavily eroded. The erosion patterns seem to be the result of long time water erosion as if the area had been under the sea for a prolonged period of time. And there seems to be also erosion by volcanic activity. It is a possibility since there have been 2 volcanoes nearby.
These specific erosion patterns might indicate the time when it was built. It would confirm that megalithic sites in Bulgaria date back to an early epoch of humanity that might coincide with the Middle Miocene.
Design of the pyramid
Specific rock formations
The platform is set on 2 levels. The higher one is 10 metres above the second one.
Alignment
The platform and the pyramid are both aligned South but off exact cardinal points.
The size of stones
The higher platform is made from large boulders.
The shape of the stones
On the platform there are distinctive rectilinear patterns that form squares.
Type of stone
The stone is a gritty quartz cement mix that can be categorised as some kind of granite.
