The American Research Center in Sofia, in collaboration with the National Institute of Archaeology with Museum and the Museum of History in Petrich organized a conference entitled, "Heraclea Sintica: from Hellenistic polis to Roman civitas (4th c. BC-6th c. AD)".

The conference, which took place in the town of Petrich on September 19-21, 2013, brought together 21 scholars from different fields to present their latest research and excavation results on the archaeology and history of Heraclea Sintica. The topics of presentations included historical geography, text-critical analyses of literary sources and inscriptions, new syntheses of archaeological and numismatic data, art historical treatments of little known or unpublished artifacts, etc. By addressing a variety of subjects and utilizing different methodologies, we sought to provide a holistic and diachronic view of the site's complex history, from a tribal center of the Sintians to an important Roman provincial town. The conference included a site visit to Heraclea Sintica, the Museum of History in Petrich and Blagoevgrad, where a small exhibit of selected finds from one of the city's rich necropolises was put together by colleagues from the Regional Museum of History in Blagoevgrad.

Financial support was provided by the America for Bulgaria Foundation and the Museum of History in Petrich.

Just before the official opening of the conference in Petrich, September 19, 2013.

Enjoyng the morning sun during the group visit to Heraclea Sintica.

Artefacts on display from Heraclea Sintica at the Museum of History in Petrich.

Visiting the Regional Museum of History in Blagoevgrad.