Ceramic fragments from clay vessels found during archaeological excavations are among the most valuable sources of information about life in the Middle Ages. They help archaeologists determine a site's chronological period and reveal details about a people's food, economy, and trade contacts. Each archaeological period has distinctive vessel shapes and manufacturing methods.

Early medieval Bulgarian ceramic vessels fall into two main groups: those made of sandy clay with incised horizontal and wavy lines, and those made of gray, refined clay decorated with burnished patterns.

Life in the Middle Ages was harsh and centered mainly in unfortified villages—a reality reflected in the ceramics. Vessel shapes were simple, with handleless pots being the most common. These served dual purposes: cooking and food storage. Less common were serving vessels (tableware) such as jugs, pitchers, cups, and bowls. The most luxurious and expensive items were glazed wares, sometimes decorated with polychrome (different colored) glazes**.**

Around the end of the 11th century, a distinctive pottery style called sgraffito was introduced. It featured rich incised decoration with plant, human, and animal motifs, colored with multicolored engobes (a thin layer of diluted clay) and covered with a thick glaze.

Wine, olive oil, and grains were transported in large, two-handled vessels called amphorae, mainly by ship along sea and river routes.

Medieval Bulgarians enjoyed a diverse diet. Their tables featured vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, turnips, lentils, peas, carrots, leeks, and cucumbers, as well as fruits such as peaches and strawberries. They also consumed garlic, milk, and dairy products. Meat came from domestic animals—pigs, ducks, geese, and chickens—or from game, along with fish.