GODIŠNJAK ODJELA ZA ARHEOLOGIJU 1, YEARBOOK OF DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY 1., 2022
Within the preparatory works for the development of the part of the coast east of the Baotić mari... more Within the preparatory works for the development of the part of the coast east of the Baotić marina in Seget Donji, the University of Zadar, the Department of Archeology and the Stratum d. o. o. company carried out archaeological rescue excavations with the aim of determining the presence of possible archaeological remains in the mentioned area. Both land and underwater archaeological excavations were carried out in the period from June 27 to July 6, 2022. Mate Parica led archaeological rescue excavations, and Aleksandra Matura was the deputy.
IN SITU, GODIŠNJAK ODJELA ZA ARHEOLOGIJU YEARBOOK OF DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY Vol. 1 / 2022 No. 1 1 - 204 Zadar., 2023
Lokalitet Soline nalazi se oko 2,5 kilometara
jugoistočno od grada Korčule. (Parica 2021;
Paric... more Lokalitet Soline nalazi se oko 2,5 kilometara jugoistočno od grada Korčule. (Parica 2021; Parica, Radić 2022) Istraživanja iz 2022. godine druga su po redu sistematska istraživanja ovog lokaliteta. Istraživanjima iz 2021. jasno je definiran segment zidane obale koja u obliku sedmerokuta okružuje cijeli lokalitet. Na glavnu liniju obale, s vanjske strane, mjestimično se spajaju manji podzidi koji mogu biti posljedica širenja lokaliteta, ili je pak riječ o konstrukcijama koje bi mogle služiti za izvlačenje plovila. The site of Soline is located about 2.5 kilometers southeast of the town of Korčula. (Parica 2021; Parica, Radić 2022) The 2022 excavation is the second campaign of the systematic research of this site. The excavations of 2021 clearly defined the segment of the seawall that surrounds the entire site in the form of a heptagon. The main line of the seawall, on the outside, is joined in places by smaller retaining walls that may be the result of the expansion of the site, or they may be structures used to pull out vessels
Izdanja Hrvatskog arheološkog društva, 34/2019., 54-55, 2019
Na morskom dnu uvale Soline, oko 2,5 kilometara jugoistočno od grada Korčule, na dubini od 4,1 d... more Na morskom dnu uvale Soline, oko 2,5 kilometara jugoistočno od grada Korčule, na dubini od 4,1 do 4,4 metra, na zračnim je snimkama uočena podmorska struktura promjera 100 metara, oko 40 metara udaljena od korčulanske obale. Nakon podmorskog rekognosciranja utvrđeno je da se radi o neolitičkom lokalitetu poligonalnog tlocrta s dobro očuvanim ostacima arhitekture, ali i s brojnim pokretnim nalazima. Analizom kamenih i keramičkih predmeta zaključili smo kako je riječ o nalazištu datiranom u kasni neolitik. Soline su samo jedan od više istočnojadranskih lokaliteta lociranih zadnjih godina nekoliko metara ispod morske površine. Razloge zašto se nekadašnje neolitičko naselje danas nalazi na plitkom morskom dnu treba tražiti u transgresiji, a u razloge njihovih podizanja tek se počelo pronicati. (Summary) At the depth of 4.1–4.4 meters on the seabed of the Soline bay, a part of the Pelješac Channel, about 2.5 kilometers southeast of the town of Korčula, an underwater structure, measuring 100 meters in diameter, was discovered about 40 meters away from the Korčula coast. After an underwater fields survey, it was established that it was a Neolithic site with a polygonal layout and well-preserved remains of dry-stone architecture. The authors assume that the shore is artificially filled around a cliff located in its center. Today, the most visible part is the once low shoreline of the polygonal layout. Traces of several dry-wall structures of different orientation have been preserved at the site. The plateau was created with the aim of building a settlement on it, and it was connected to the mainland by a communication embankment built from amorphous limestone boulders, as well as smaller stones. By analyzing several stone and ceramic objects collected as representative samples from the seabed and shallow trenches, it was concluded that this site can be dated to the younger phase of Neolithic development, i.e. the first half of the fifth millennium BC, also known as the Hvar culture (decorative style). The reasons why the former Neolithic settlement is below today’s sea level should be sought in the transgression of the sea. This process, as well as prehistoric sites that are on the seabed today, has, in recent years, been confirmed over and over again, but Soline are, so far, the only site of this type in central Dalmatia. Today’s depth of 4 meters, where the embankment is located, which once communicated between the site and the mainland, helped calculate how much the sea level has risen from the time of life in the settlement until today. This depth should be increased by a few tens of centimeters of the uppermost part of the site, probably destroyed by the movements of waves, by and a few tens of centimeters necessary for the site to have been above tide level, so that the true number is between 4.4 meters and 5 meters.
The seaward view from above Sveti Juraj, which is located on the Velebit coast, about seven kilom... more The seaward view from above Sveti Juraj, which is located on the Velebit coast, about seven kilometres south of Senj, is dominated by the small island of Lisac. The proximity of the mainland and relatively shallow depth of the strait have attracted the attention of researchers and led to assumptions about the island’s connection to the mainland in the past. The paper presents the results of an underwater survey, which confirm the existence of archaeological potential under. The site includes traces of maritime structures in the form of a communication embankment and an artificially created plateau. An analysis of ceramic artefacts suggests that significant spatial activities in the Lisac maritime landscape probably occurred during the Late Bronze Age. In processing the collected artefacts, the greatest attention was paid to briquetage finds. The term refers to a repertoire of products made of fired earth — supporting pillars and vessels — used in prehistoric salt production through forced seawater evaporation. The large quantity of fragments of these items strongly suggests a production site. In this context, the character of the site, the correlation between spatial characteristics of the location, as well as the requirements, needs and technological aspects of salt production through briquetage are discussed, with reference to the possible implications of this activity on contemporary social and economic frameworks at the microregional level.
U radu se obrađuju kamenolomi podno brda Sv. Ilija. Navode se primjeri različitih tehnika eksploa... more U radu se obrađuju kamenolomi podno brda Sv. Ilija. Navode se primjeri različitih tehnika eksploatacije koji ostavljaju tragove alata na preostalim dijelovima stijenske mase. Tragovi na liticama kamenoloma govore o kontinuiranom korištenju ovih kamenoloma više od dva tisućljeća, a dokazana je i gradnja antičkog foruma u Zadru upravo s kamenom koji je vađen na padinama brda Sv.Ilija. THE QUARRIES OF SVETI ILIJA The author discusses the problem of exploitation of highquality architectural limestone from the slopes of the hill of Sveti Ilija. The stonemasonry complex has been functioning continuously for the last two thousand years. This site shows different techniques of extracting stone blocks, and it is often possible to notice different systems of extraction which sometimes overlap with older traces. High-quality limestone from the slopes of Sveti Ilija was exported all over the world during the modern period. There is also proof that it was traded in antiquity too since the most important architectural elements of Zadar’s forum were made precisely from this stone. The quarries on the slopes of Sveti Ilija represent an immense value in the cultural landscape of Trogir’s hinterland and it is therefore extremely important to preserve them for the next generations
Pottery Production, Landscape and Economy of Roman Dalmatia
A short account of underwater reconnaissance and excavations carried out so far at Plemići Bay (R... more A short account of underwater reconnaissance and excavations carried out so far at Plemići Bay (Rtina, Ražanac Municipality) is given, with particular regard to the recent survey at the western part of the two identified Roman harbour piers. Upon detailed examination and measuring, the building technique of the structure has been identified as that combining stone and wooden posts. A tentative explanation for the functioning of the harbour installations in conjunction with the pottery workshop is also proposed.
Pakoštane - Veli školj, Kasnoantički brodolom u geološko-geografskom i kulturno-povijesnom kontekstu The Late Roman shipwreck in its geological-geographic and cultural-historical context, 2018
Amfore kao izvor za rekonstrukciju gospodarskoga razvoja jadranske regije u antici: lokalna proizvodnja Amphorae as a resource for the reconstruction of economic development in the Adriatic region in Antiquity: local production , 2017
The paper presents a preliminary overview of the evidence for ancient fishing, fish-breeding and ... more The paper presents a preliminary overview of the evidence for ancient fishing, fish-breeding and salinae sites in the Pašman channel, exploring the possibility of fish-processing in the region. Sources for traditional fishing techniques are reviewed in order to established those utilised in the area before industrial fishing tool over, and possibly in antiquity. Finally, particular attention will be given to the ancient structures discovered at Kumenat offering a possible interpretation for the rectangular rock-cut installations which characterise the site.
Knowledge on the archaeological heritage of the wider area of Veli Rat, from antiquity to early
m... more Knowledge on the archaeological heritage of the wider area of Veli Rat, from antiquity to early modern times, is mainly the result of a field survey which was conducted on several occasions since the 1980s to the present. The result of that is the fact that most of the proposed ideas in this article can be mainly limited to a number of assumptions – some of them lacking an adequate argument. By all accounts, the most significant complex in Roman times was the villa rustica at the location of Ćune/Grusi with which the ruined remains of the church of St. Jelena above Polje are most likely related, as well as possibly other fortified sites from that period. Smaller salt works had an important economic meaning for that area to which we attribute the submerged archaeological constructions located in the bays of Most/Mostić, Ćune and in the bay Soline. Archaeological findings of the medieval period are almost completely unknown and potential sites of that time have been more the result of assumptions rather than confirmed archaeological facts. Findings from the early modern times are somewhat more familiar, primarily due to fragments of ceramic and glass objects found in the bay Lučica. There is no doubt that a more significant understanding of the archaeological heritage of historical and present-day area of Veli Rat, from antiquity to the early modern times, can be obtained only by a systematic research of potential archaeological sites. What also regretfully has to be stated is the fact that part of the sites located on land will never be researched properly due to the devastation caused by the clearing of the ground in order to obtain arable land, and the thorough looting of the underwater archeological sites.
ASMOSIA XI, INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES OF ANCIENT STONE, SPLIT 2018, 2018
The island of Korčula is characterized by a physical geography that was a prerequisite for a stab... more The island of Korčula is characterized by a physical geography that was a prerequisite for a stable population and an efficient land use throughout Antiquity. Roughly 30 villa rustica sites, dated mostly from the 1st to the 6th century AD, testify to this observation. Numerous exquisite archaeological finds directly illustrate the intensity of the economy on the estates and the material status of the owners. Accordingly, various types of stone material made its way to Korčula from local and regional sources or those much further afield. Stone was used to manufacture diverse products: architectural structural and decorative elements and monuments of various kinds. Apparently, local high-quality limestone material originated from Korčula and the surrounding archipelago. Unfortunately, exploitation on a practically industrial scale can be safely attested to only for the late medieval period onwards. The exploitation of stone during Antiquity is represented by specific archaeological contexts, namely the submerged operational quay at Sutvara and the underground gallery quarries at Sutvara, Kamenjak and Vrnik, which will be presented in greater detail.
The paper provides an overview of recent discoveries of infrastructural facilities in ancient qua... more The paper provides an overview of recent discoveries of infrastructural facilities in ancient quarries on the Zadar islands. The facilities are located in the immediate vicinity of ancient quarries: communications from the quarries to the coast in the form of exit corridors carved in bedrock, paved tracks for transport of stone to the harbor, harbor installations for loading and shipment of stone blocks. The sites are located on Molat, Sestrunj and Dugi Otok islands. The remains of other buildings featured in quarrying complexes were also recorded: a foundry and a water cistern. Some of the infrastructural facilities contain archaeological finds that can be used to date the adjacent quarries. It is important to emphasize that, owing to their favorable geographical position, these sites are well preserved which is quite unique a situation in the entire Mediterranean region. It should be noted that the zones featuring quarries also feature communications to the sea, harbor facilities and auxiliary buildings. Such sites are rarely represented in the archaeological record and it is extremely important to preserve them from modern devastation.
In 2014 archaeologists from the Department of Archaeology of the University of Zadar started expl... more In 2014 archaeologists from the Department of Archaeology of the University of Zadar started exploring the prehistoric underwater site near the islet of Ričul in northern Dalmatia. Existence of a prehistoric settlement was indicated by recovered structures and artifacts in four archaeological campaigns. Obtained radiocarbon age as well as typological and technological features of the archaeological finds date the settlement to the Middle Bronze Age opening up new possibilities for disccusions about a poorly known prehistoric period in northern Dalmatia.
Autor u članku donosi rezultate podmorskih arheoloških istra-živanja u uvali Pocukmarak na otoku ... more Autor u članku donosi rezultate podmorskih arheoloških istra-živanja u uvali Pocukmarak na otoku Silbi, gdje je izvršeno pet istraživačkih kampanja. Radi se o kamenom nasipu – gatu koji je činio manje pristanište u uvali, dok su u neposrednom zaleđu uvale raniji istraživači primijetili materijalne ostatke iz antičkog i kasnoantičkog vremena. Kasnoantičko pristanište sastoji se od kamenog nasipa u koji su ugrađeni kameni sarko-fazi. Osim kamene građe, u temelju kamenog nasipa pronađeni su i ostatci drvene građe koja je služila kao temelj na dijelu gdje se nasip pruža preko pješčanog dna. Analiza 14 C odredila je vrijeme sječe drvene građe za gradnju gata u razdoblje od 425. do 595. godine. ključne riječi: Silba, Pocukmarak, podmorska arheološka istraživanja, sarkofazi, kasnoantička lučka instalacija Uvala Pocukmarak (Sl. 1) smještena je na zapadnoj strani središnjeg dijela otoka Silbe (Sl. 2). Toponim dolazi od naziva " pod sut Marak " , lat. Sanctus Mar-cus, a prefiks sut zamijenjen je riječi cuk. 1 Južno od uvale pruža se rt Pocukmarak, dok se obalni prostor od uvale prema mjestu Silba i trajektnom pristani-štu naziva Žalić. Pri središnjem dijelu pješčane uvale dubina je oko 5 metara, pa je to pogodno mjesto za sidrenje ako ga dopuštaju vremenske prilike. Arheološke ostatke na obali uvale Pocukmarak 1924. primjećuje Ivo Juras koji navodi da su pojedi-ni poljski zidovi posuti ostatcima starih posuda, žara i krovnih crjepova te da je u zemlji pronađen i bakre-ni novac Antonina Pija. 2 Kameni nasip u uvali Pocukmarak poznat je još iz bilježaka Petra Starešine koji spominje moguće postojanje antičkog vicusa ili veće The author presents the results of five campaigns of submarine archaeological research in Pocukmarak bay on the island of Silba focusing on a stone embankment – quay which functioned as a small waterfront in the bay. Former researchers noticed material evidence from classical antiqity and Late Antiquity in immediate hinterland of the bay. Late antique quay consists of stone sarcophagi incorporated into a stone embankment. In addition to stone finds, wood remains were found in the foundation of the stone embankment. These remains of wooden structures were used as fundament in the segment where the embankment spanned the sand bed. According to 14C analysis the wood used for quay construction was felled in the period between 425 and 595
In this paper authors bring the results of the underwater archaeological research of two sites in... more In this paper authors bring the results of the underwater archaeological research of two sites in the surroundings of Ljubač. The first site is located in the southwestern area of the Ljubač bay, where the remains of an Early Bronze Age stone fish weir for fishing with the help of tidal changes were discovered. The fish weir is extremely well preserved, and the partly preserved wood remains enabled the radiocarbon dating from 4235 to 4080 years ago. The other site is located in the southern part of the Plemići bay, where two submerged piers belonging to the ceramic workshop from the early imperial period were found. Beside the submerged piers, a zone of the discarded workshop's waste was discovered on the eroded coastline. It determines the typology of the products from the mentioned workshop, with the remark that the indicated area has not suffered any newer constructions or devastations in the later periods. Shortly, the discovered sites are an important contribution that complete the archaeological map of the Ljubač area. However, it is important to point out that the preservation of both sites, and the potential for further explorations, elevate the mentioned sites to the level of exceptional archaeological importance.
Autor u radu razrađuje mogućnost postojanja određenih razlika u tragovima kamenarskih alata unuta... more Autor u radu razrađuje mogućnost postojanja određenih razlika u tragovima kamenarskih alata unutar antičkih, srednjovjekov-nih, a dijelom i ranonovovjekovnih kamenoloma. Spomenuti tragovi očituju se u obliku strija na liticama eksploatiranih di-jelova kamenoloma. Na temelju analize kamenoloma koji sa-drže dovoljno elemenata za pobližu dataciju, autor zaključuje da postoje značajne razlike između antičkih i srednjovjekovnih kamenoloma i to u gustoći, smjeru i dubini strija te značajnije razlike u tlocrtu i načinu širenja kamenoloma. ključne riječi: kamenarske tehnike, kamenolomi, tragovi alata, Dalmacija Prostor današnje Dalmacije obiluje vidljivim osta-cima starih kamenoloma. Prve, jasno vidljive, ek-sploatacijske zone primjetne su u kamenolomima za izgradnju megalitskih bedema iz razdoblja od nekoliko stoljeća prije Krista. Najveći kamenolomi otvaraju se upravo u razdoblju potpadanja cjeloku-pnog prostora hrvatske obale pod rimsku upravu. Prekid je uvjetovan upadom barbarskih skupina u 6. stoljeću, međutim može se reći da se intenzivnija upotreba arhitektonskoga kamena nastavlja u ra-zvijenom srednjem vijeku, sve do danas. Cilj ovoga istraživanja je: analizom vidljivih faza kamenoloma koji daju najbolju dataciju pokušati odrediti eventu-alne razlike u kamenarskoj tehnici, tj. utvrditi even-tualne razlike u tragovima alata koji se prepoznaju na preostaloj stijenskoj masi. This paper analyses the possibility of the existence of certain differences in the traces of quarrymen's tools in Classical Antiquity, mediaeval, and certain early modern era quarries. The afore-mentioned traces are evident in the form of striae on rocks in the exploited parts of the quarries. Based on analyses of quarries containing a sufficient amount of elements for closer dating, the paper concludes that there are significant differences between Classical Antiquity and mediaeval quarries in terms of the density , direction and depth of the striae, as well as important differences in the layout and expansion of the quarries.
Novci u podvodnim istraživanjima jedni su od vrjednijih nalaza koji upotpunjuju sliku nekog nala... more Novci u podvodnim istraživanjima jedni su od vrjednijih nalaza koji upotpunjuju sliku nekog nalazišta i uvelike rasvjetljavaju kronološke odnose, ekonomiju kao i trgovačke veze. Autori u članku obrađuju novce pronađene u istraživanjima lučkih postrojenja i brodoloma. Najrjeđi primjeri a ujedno i najznačajniji nalazi novaca potječu s brodoloma. Novac pronađen kod antičkih brodoloma mogao je služiti kao sredstvo za trgovinu ali i kao ritualni element koji bi brodu trebao donijeti sreću u plovidbi i kod sklapanja trgovačkih poslova. I kod jednog i drugog slučaja novac je važan za relativno-kronološko određenje potonuća broda kao i same gradnje broda. Najvažnije je što su brodolomi zatvorene arheološke cjeline i novac pronađen kod njih ima izuzetnu databilnu vrijednost. Novci pronađeni u slojevima lučkih uređaja osim relativno-kronološkog određenja pokazuju i šire aspekte poput trgovačkih kontakata.
Many secrets lie hidden in the sea near Pakoštane. These were largely unknown until a few ... more Many secrets lie hidden in the sea near Pakoštane. These were largely unknown until a few years ago, when rich and diverse archaeolog- ical material associated with an important port complex were discovered on the seabed of this north Dalmatian coastal settlement situated some 40 km south of Zadar. To be precise, a shipwreck, salt pans and a port dating back to the Roman Imperial period were found at three locations within a spatious bay (Pl. 1: 1, 2). The archaeo- logical remains were irst noticed in June 2004 by Marko Meštrov, a student of archaeology and his- tory and also a diver. Systematic underwater ex- cavations started at approximately the same time, mainly supported inancially by the Pakoštane municipality1. The manager of the scientiic project Underwater Archaeological Excavations of the Ancient Ports of Adriatic Croatia was Zdenko Brusić from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Zadar, who su- pervised the irst excavation campaign, which re- vealed the location of the ancient port and rich cultural strata thorough site survey. Well pre- served remains of a shipwreck were partially ex- cavated, documented and protected (Pl. 2: 2 A, B) (Brusić 2005a: 191, 192; Ilkić 2006: 10, 11). The next campaign comprised new excava- tions in the ancient port (Brusić 2006: 306, 307). In the summer of 2007 excavation of the ship- wreck continued under the supervision of Irena Radić Rossi from the Croatian Conservation Institute at Zagreb. The ship’s construction was thoroughly documented thanks to cooperation with experts from the French Institute Centre National de la Recherche Scientiique, Centre Camille Jullian, Aix-en-Provence.
Grad Novalja smješten je na sjevernom dijelu otoka Paga, na prostoru koji obiluje ostatcima is vr... more Grad Novalja smješten je na sjevernom dijelu otoka Paga, na prostoru koji obiluje ostatcima is vremena antike. Na širem novaljskom prostoru u novije vrijeme započela su arheološka istraživanja koja su na svijetlo dana iznijela mnoštvo nalaza koji uvelike pridonose poznavanju prošlosti ovog kraja. U podmorskim arheološkim istraživanjima izvršenim 2007. pronađeni su i materijalni ostaci antičke luke na prostoru današnjeg grada Novalje. Ovim pronalaskom potvrđene su pretpostavke mnogih autora koji ističu vrlo važnu ulogu Novalje u tadašnjoj navigaciji istočnom obalom Jadranskog mora.
In this paper the author presents results of field surveys and rescue excavations at three sites.... more In this paper the author presents results of field surveys and rescue excavations at three sites. Islands of Sestrunj
and Dugi Otok were presented exclusively on the basis of field surveys, whereas underwater rescue archaeological
research was carried out in Splitska on the island of Brač. This research indicated that quarries in the vicinity of
Splitska were exploited most intensively during the construction of the palace of the Emperor Diocletian. On the
islands of Sestrunj and Dugi Otok, there are visible remains of quays for loading stone into ships, and wharfs for
transporting stone blocks to the sea. Recovered archaeological finds date these complexes to the period of antiquity.
The Vlakno cave is situated in the central part of the island of Dugi Otok between settlements Lu... more The Vlakno cave is situated in the central part of the island of Dugi Otok between settlements Luka and Savar.
The cave was suitable for dwelling of a smaller group throughout the year due to its look, size and orientation. The
third campaign of the archaeological research was undertaken at the beginning of 2010 with the aim of determining
complete startigraphy of the site so that the excavation was conducted within previously opened Trench B (fig. 1).
In the previous campaigns the level of tephra, Neapolitan Yellow Tuff was reached. Analyses indicate that this
layer was formed 14 500 years ago. In the new campaign additional 80 cm of deposits under tephra have been excavated,
and the bottom of the cave was not reached until the end of the campaign. Under the tephra there are three main layers
separated with two thin interlayers of ash and burnt soil which actually represent walking surfaces from the period
when the cave was in use. Preliminary analyses of the material from all three layers indicate to the Epigravettian period
corresponding with the general development of the Upper Palaeolithic on both sides of the Adriatic. Dates acquired for
layers under tephra indicate age from 12. 710 to 12. 120 cal. years BC (14. 660 to 14. 060 cal. years BP).
At the beginning of the new excavation decrease of the remains of marine organisms was evident, and the remains
of big terrestrial animals refer mostly to big ruminants. There are less flint tools, although they are still represented
with a significant number of specimens. There are also bone tools, such as perforated teeth of a deer (Cervus elaphus),
perforated shells and snails (Cyclope neritea, Columbella rustica and shells of the genus Glycimeris). Eight perforated
deers' teeth were found, six different perforated shells and a bead made of a shell of the genus Entalina (Dentalium
tetragonum) (fig. 2). Alongside these finds, we need to mention fragments of ten bone awls and punches.
Besides jewelry, meaning of the aesthetics gains even more importance regarding the find of two fragments
of chert nodules in the same layer. One of them is decorated with a row of short, parallel and two horizontal
incisions on the cortex (fig. 5). This was a segment of a larger depiction, continuing in three directions in relation to
the extant segment. Unfortunately other fragments are missing which is why it is impossible to discuss the type of
depiction. Nodule is broken, only its segment is preserved. It is triangular in cross-section, 3,6 cm long. Preliminary
analyses indicate that it was exposed to heating before it was broken.
Another fragment of a nodule was found in the same layer, semicircular in cross-section. Incisions in the
cortex are shallow, filling the entire surface as opposed to the previously mentioned fragment. This is a row of
slanted parallel short incisions encircling the flake (fig. 6).
Meaning of these objects remains unknown until the time of possible discovery of some other fragment. There
are no indications of functional characteristics of these incisions which is why it is reasonable to suppose that their
purpose was of aesthetic nature to say the least. It is possible that depictions on the stone from Vlakno have far more
complex meaning. Archaeologists assume that some of the art of the Upper Palaeolithic was used for information
storage. Geometric forms might represent different marks or symbols, messages illegible to a modern man.
These are not the only decorated objects from Vlakno. On a bone awl is a row of horizontal, short incisions on
the proximal part which were not created as a result of working or using bone (cutmarks) but they undoubtedly represent
a decoration of the object. Similar incisions (four short incisions) were found on the distal part of the bone punch. These
incisions can only have aesthetic meaning as well as on the previously mentioned example. However they may be a sign
of ownership or affiliation to a group, or, since the incisions repeat, they may represent a system of numbers.
Key words: Dugi otok, Vlakno cave, Palaeolithic, Epigravettian, Chert nodule with incisions, jewelry
Prijevod / Translation: Marija Korona
GODIŠNJAK ODJELA ZA ARHEOLOGIJU 1, YEARBOOK OF DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY 1., 2022
Within the preparatory works for the development of the part of the coast east of the Baotić mari... more Within the preparatory works for the development of the part of the coast east of the Baotić marina in Seget Donji, the University of Zadar, the Department of Archeology and the Stratum d. o. o. company carried out archaeological rescue excavations with the aim of determining the presence of possible archaeological remains in the mentioned area. Both land and underwater archaeological excavations were carried out in the period from June 27 to July 6, 2022. Mate Parica led archaeological rescue excavations, and Aleksandra Matura was the deputy.
IN SITU, GODIŠNJAK ODJELA ZA ARHEOLOGIJU YEARBOOK OF DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY Vol. 1 / 2022 No. 1 1 - 204 Zadar., 2023
Lokalitet Soline nalazi se oko 2,5 kilometara
jugoistočno od grada Korčule. (Parica 2021;
Paric... more Lokalitet Soline nalazi se oko 2,5 kilometara jugoistočno od grada Korčule. (Parica 2021; Parica, Radić 2022) Istraživanja iz 2022. godine druga su po redu sistematska istraživanja ovog lokaliteta. Istraživanjima iz 2021. jasno je definiran segment zidane obale koja u obliku sedmerokuta okružuje cijeli lokalitet. Na glavnu liniju obale, s vanjske strane, mjestimično se spajaju manji podzidi koji mogu biti posljedica širenja lokaliteta, ili je pak riječ o konstrukcijama koje bi mogle služiti za izvlačenje plovila. The site of Soline is located about 2.5 kilometers southeast of the town of Korčula. (Parica 2021; Parica, Radić 2022) The 2022 excavation is the second campaign of the systematic research of this site. The excavations of 2021 clearly defined the segment of the seawall that surrounds the entire site in the form of a heptagon. The main line of the seawall, on the outside, is joined in places by smaller retaining walls that may be the result of the expansion of the site, or they may be structures used to pull out vessels
Izdanja Hrvatskog arheološkog društva, 34/2019., 54-55, 2019
Na morskom dnu uvale Soline, oko 2,5 kilometara jugoistočno od grada Korčule, na dubini od 4,1 d... more Na morskom dnu uvale Soline, oko 2,5 kilometara jugoistočno od grada Korčule, na dubini od 4,1 do 4,4 metra, na zračnim je snimkama uočena podmorska struktura promjera 100 metara, oko 40 metara udaljena od korčulanske obale. Nakon podmorskog rekognosciranja utvrđeno je da se radi o neolitičkom lokalitetu poligonalnog tlocrta s dobro očuvanim ostacima arhitekture, ali i s brojnim pokretnim nalazima. Analizom kamenih i keramičkih predmeta zaključili smo kako je riječ o nalazištu datiranom u kasni neolitik. Soline su samo jedan od više istočnojadranskih lokaliteta lociranih zadnjih godina nekoliko metara ispod morske površine. Razloge zašto se nekadašnje neolitičko naselje danas nalazi na plitkom morskom dnu treba tražiti u transgresiji, a u razloge njihovih podizanja tek se počelo pronicati. (Summary) At the depth of 4.1–4.4 meters on the seabed of the Soline bay, a part of the Pelješac Channel, about 2.5 kilometers southeast of the town of Korčula, an underwater structure, measuring 100 meters in diameter, was discovered about 40 meters away from the Korčula coast. After an underwater fields survey, it was established that it was a Neolithic site with a polygonal layout and well-preserved remains of dry-stone architecture. The authors assume that the shore is artificially filled around a cliff located in its center. Today, the most visible part is the once low shoreline of the polygonal layout. Traces of several dry-wall structures of different orientation have been preserved at the site. The plateau was created with the aim of building a settlement on it, and it was connected to the mainland by a communication embankment built from amorphous limestone boulders, as well as smaller stones. By analyzing several stone and ceramic objects collected as representative samples from the seabed and shallow trenches, it was concluded that this site can be dated to the younger phase of Neolithic development, i.e. the first half of the fifth millennium BC, also known as the Hvar culture (decorative style). The reasons why the former Neolithic settlement is below today’s sea level should be sought in the transgression of the sea. This process, as well as prehistoric sites that are on the seabed today, has, in recent years, been confirmed over and over again, but Soline are, so far, the only site of this type in central Dalmatia. Today’s depth of 4 meters, where the embankment is located, which once communicated between the site and the mainland, helped calculate how much the sea level has risen from the time of life in the settlement until today. This depth should be increased by a few tens of centimeters of the uppermost part of the site, probably destroyed by the movements of waves, by and a few tens of centimeters necessary for the site to have been above tide level, so that the true number is between 4.4 meters and 5 meters.
The seaward view from above Sveti Juraj, which is located on the Velebit coast, about seven kilom... more The seaward view from above Sveti Juraj, which is located on the Velebit coast, about seven kilometres south of Senj, is dominated by the small island of Lisac. The proximity of the mainland and relatively shallow depth of the strait have attracted the attention of researchers and led to assumptions about the island’s connection to the mainland in the past. The paper presents the results of an underwater survey, which confirm the existence of archaeological potential under. The site includes traces of maritime structures in the form of a communication embankment and an artificially created plateau. An analysis of ceramic artefacts suggests that significant spatial activities in the Lisac maritime landscape probably occurred during the Late Bronze Age. In processing the collected artefacts, the greatest attention was paid to briquetage finds. The term refers to a repertoire of products made of fired earth — supporting pillars and vessels — used in prehistoric salt production through forced seawater evaporation. The large quantity of fragments of these items strongly suggests a production site. In this context, the character of the site, the correlation between spatial characteristics of the location, as well as the requirements, needs and technological aspects of salt production through briquetage are discussed, with reference to the possible implications of this activity on contemporary social and economic frameworks at the microregional level.
U radu se obrađuju kamenolomi podno brda Sv. Ilija. Navode se primjeri različitih tehnika eksploa... more U radu se obrađuju kamenolomi podno brda Sv. Ilija. Navode se primjeri različitih tehnika eksploatacije koji ostavljaju tragove alata na preostalim dijelovima stijenske mase. Tragovi na liticama kamenoloma govore o kontinuiranom korištenju ovih kamenoloma više od dva tisućljeća, a dokazana je i gradnja antičkog foruma u Zadru upravo s kamenom koji je vađen na padinama brda Sv.Ilija. THE QUARRIES OF SVETI ILIJA The author discusses the problem of exploitation of highquality architectural limestone from the slopes of the hill of Sveti Ilija. The stonemasonry complex has been functioning continuously for the last two thousand years. This site shows different techniques of extracting stone blocks, and it is often possible to notice different systems of extraction which sometimes overlap with older traces. High-quality limestone from the slopes of Sveti Ilija was exported all over the world during the modern period. There is also proof that it was traded in antiquity too since the most important architectural elements of Zadar’s forum were made precisely from this stone. The quarries on the slopes of Sveti Ilija represent an immense value in the cultural landscape of Trogir’s hinterland and it is therefore extremely important to preserve them for the next generations
Pottery Production, Landscape and Economy of Roman Dalmatia
A short account of underwater reconnaissance and excavations carried out so far at Plemići Bay (R... more A short account of underwater reconnaissance and excavations carried out so far at Plemići Bay (Rtina, Ražanac Municipality) is given, with particular regard to the recent survey at the western part of the two identified Roman harbour piers. Upon detailed examination and measuring, the building technique of the structure has been identified as that combining stone and wooden posts. A tentative explanation for the functioning of the harbour installations in conjunction with the pottery workshop is also proposed.
Pakoštane - Veli školj, Kasnoantički brodolom u geološko-geografskom i kulturno-povijesnom kontekstu The Late Roman shipwreck in its geological-geographic and cultural-historical context, 2018
Amfore kao izvor za rekonstrukciju gospodarskoga razvoja jadranske regije u antici: lokalna proizvodnja Amphorae as a resource for the reconstruction of economic development in the Adriatic region in Antiquity: local production , 2017
The paper presents a preliminary overview of the evidence for ancient fishing, fish-breeding and ... more The paper presents a preliminary overview of the evidence for ancient fishing, fish-breeding and salinae sites in the Pašman channel, exploring the possibility of fish-processing in the region. Sources for traditional fishing techniques are reviewed in order to established those utilised in the area before industrial fishing tool over, and possibly in antiquity. Finally, particular attention will be given to the ancient structures discovered at Kumenat offering a possible interpretation for the rectangular rock-cut installations which characterise the site.
Knowledge on the archaeological heritage of the wider area of Veli Rat, from antiquity to early
m... more Knowledge on the archaeological heritage of the wider area of Veli Rat, from antiquity to early modern times, is mainly the result of a field survey which was conducted on several occasions since the 1980s to the present. The result of that is the fact that most of the proposed ideas in this article can be mainly limited to a number of assumptions – some of them lacking an adequate argument. By all accounts, the most significant complex in Roman times was the villa rustica at the location of Ćune/Grusi with which the ruined remains of the church of St. Jelena above Polje are most likely related, as well as possibly other fortified sites from that period. Smaller salt works had an important economic meaning for that area to which we attribute the submerged archaeological constructions located in the bays of Most/Mostić, Ćune and in the bay Soline. Archaeological findings of the medieval period are almost completely unknown and potential sites of that time have been more the result of assumptions rather than confirmed archaeological facts. Findings from the early modern times are somewhat more familiar, primarily due to fragments of ceramic and glass objects found in the bay Lučica. There is no doubt that a more significant understanding of the archaeological heritage of historical and present-day area of Veli Rat, from antiquity to the early modern times, can be obtained only by a systematic research of potential archaeological sites. What also regretfully has to be stated is the fact that part of the sites located on land will never be researched properly due to the devastation caused by the clearing of the ground in order to obtain arable land, and the thorough looting of the underwater archeological sites.
ASMOSIA XI, INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES OF ANCIENT STONE, SPLIT 2018, 2018
The island of Korčula is characterized by a physical geography that was a prerequisite for a stab... more The island of Korčula is characterized by a physical geography that was a prerequisite for a stable population and an efficient land use throughout Antiquity. Roughly 30 villa rustica sites, dated mostly from the 1st to the 6th century AD, testify to this observation. Numerous exquisite archaeological finds directly illustrate the intensity of the economy on the estates and the material status of the owners. Accordingly, various types of stone material made its way to Korčula from local and regional sources or those much further afield. Stone was used to manufacture diverse products: architectural structural and decorative elements and monuments of various kinds. Apparently, local high-quality limestone material originated from Korčula and the surrounding archipelago. Unfortunately, exploitation on a practically industrial scale can be safely attested to only for the late medieval period onwards. The exploitation of stone during Antiquity is represented by specific archaeological contexts, namely the submerged operational quay at Sutvara and the underground gallery quarries at Sutvara, Kamenjak and Vrnik, which will be presented in greater detail.
The paper provides an overview of recent discoveries of infrastructural facilities in ancient qua... more The paper provides an overview of recent discoveries of infrastructural facilities in ancient quarries on the Zadar islands. The facilities are located in the immediate vicinity of ancient quarries: communications from the quarries to the coast in the form of exit corridors carved in bedrock, paved tracks for transport of stone to the harbor, harbor installations for loading and shipment of stone blocks. The sites are located on Molat, Sestrunj and Dugi Otok islands. The remains of other buildings featured in quarrying complexes were also recorded: a foundry and a water cistern. Some of the infrastructural facilities contain archaeological finds that can be used to date the adjacent quarries. It is important to emphasize that, owing to their favorable geographical position, these sites are well preserved which is quite unique a situation in the entire Mediterranean region. It should be noted that the zones featuring quarries also feature communications to the sea, harbor facilities and auxiliary buildings. Such sites are rarely represented in the archaeological record and it is extremely important to preserve them from modern devastation.
In 2014 archaeologists from the Department of Archaeology of the University of Zadar started expl... more In 2014 archaeologists from the Department of Archaeology of the University of Zadar started exploring the prehistoric underwater site near the islet of Ričul in northern Dalmatia. Existence of a prehistoric settlement was indicated by recovered structures and artifacts in four archaeological campaigns. Obtained radiocarbon age as well as typological and technological features of the archaeological finds date the settlement to the Middle Bronze Age opening up new possibilities for disccusions about a poorly known prehistoric period in northern Dalmatia.
Autor u članku donosi rezultate podmorskih arheoloških istra-živanja u uvali Pocukmarak na otoku ... more Autor u članku donosi rezultate podmorskih arheoloških istra-živanja u uvali Pocukmarak na otoku Silbi, gdje je izvršeno pet istraživačkih kampanja. Radi se o kamenom nasipu – gatu koji je činio manje pristanište u uvali, dok su u neposrednom zaleđu uvale raniji istraživači primijetili materijalne ostatke iz antičkog i kasnoantičkog vremena. Kasnoantičko pristanište sastoji se od kamenog nasipa u koji su ugrađeni kameni sarko-fazi. Osim kamene građe, u temelju kamenog nasipa pronađeni su i ostatci drvene građe koja je služila kao temelj na dijelu gdje se nasip pruža preko pješčanog dna. Analiza 14 C odredila je vrijeme sječe drvene građe za gradnju gata u razdoblje od 425. do 595. godine. ključne riječi: Silba, Pocukmarak, podmorska arheološka istraživanja, sarkofazi, kasnoantička lučka instalacija Uvala Pocukmarak (Sl. 1) smještena je na zapadnoj strani središnjeg dijela otoka Silbe (Sl. 2). Toponim dolazi od naziva " pod sut Marak " , lat. Sanctus Mar-cus, a prefiks sut zamijenjen je riječi cuk. 1 Južno od uvale pruža se rt Pocukmarak, dok se obalni prostor od uvale prema mjestu Silba i trajektnom pristani-štu naziva Žalić. Pri središnjem dijelu pješčane uvale dubina je oko 5 metara, pa je to pogodno mjesto za sidrenje ako ga dopuštaju vremenske prilike. Arheološke ostatke na obali uvale Pocukmarak 1924. primjećuje Ivo Juras koji navodi da su pojedi-ni poljski zidovi posuti ostatcima starih posuda, žara i krovnih crjepova te da je u zemlji pronađen i bakre-ni novac Antonina Pija. 2 Kameni nasip u uvali Pocukmarak poznat je još iz bilježaka Petra Starešine koji spominje moguće postojanje antičkog vicusa ili veće The author presents the results of five campaigns of submarine archaeological research in Pocukmarak bay on the island of Silba focusing on a stone embankment – quay which functioned as a small waterfront in the bay. Former researchers noticed material evidence from classical antiqity and Late Antiquity in immediate hinterland of the bay. Late antique quay consists of stone sarcophagi incorporated into a stone embankment. In addition to stone finds, wood remains were found in the foundation of the stone embankment. These remains of wooden structures were used as fundament in the segment where the embankment spanned the sand bed. According to 14C analysis the wood used for quay construction was felled in the period between 425 and 595
In this paper authors bring the results of the underwater archaeological research of two sites in... more In this paper authors bring the results of the underwater archaeological research of two sites in the surroundings of Ljubač. The first site is located in the southwestern area of the Ljubač bay, where the remains of an Early Bronze Age stone fish weir for fishing with the help of tidal changes were discovered. The fish weir is extremely well preserved, and the partly preserved wood remains enabled the radiocarbon dating from 4235 to 4080 years ago. The other site is located in the southern part of the Plemići bay, where two submerged piers belonging to the ceramic workshop from the early imperial period were found. Beside the submerged piers, a zone of the discarded workshop's waste was discovered on the eroded coastline. It determines the typology of the products from the mentioned workshop, with the remark that the indicated area has not suffered any newer constructions or devastations in the later periods. Shortly, the discovered sites are an important contribution that complete the archaeological map of the Ljubač area. However, it is important to point out that the preservation of both sites, and the potential for further explorations, elevate the mentioned sites to the level of exceptional archaeological importance.
Autor u radu razrađuje mogućnost postojanja određenih razlika u tragovima kamenarskih alata unuta... more Autor u radu razrađuje mogućnost postojanja određenih razlika u tragovima kamenarskih alata unutar antičkih, srednjovjekov-nih, a dijelom i ranonovovjekovnih kamenoloma. Spomenuti tragovi očituju se u obliku strija na liticama eksploatiranih di-jelova kamenoloma. Na temelju analize kamenoloma koji sa-drže dovoljno elemenata za pobližu dataciju, autor zaključuje da postoje značajne razlike između antičkih i srednjovjekovnih kamenoloma i to u gustoći, smjeru i dubini strija te značajnije razlike u tlocrtu i načinu širenja kamenoloma. ključne riječi: kamenarske tehnike, kamenolomi, tragovi alata, Dalmacija Prostor današnje Dalmacije obiluje vidljivim osta-cima starih kamenoloma. Prve, jasno vidljive, ek-sploatacijske zone primjetne su u kamenolomima za izgradnju megalitskih bedema iz razdoblja od nekoliko stoljeća prije Krista. Najveći kamenolomi otvaraju se upravo u razdoblju potpadanja cjeloku-pnog prostora hrvatske obale pod rimsku upravu. Prekid je uvjetovan upadom barbarskih skupina u 6. stoljeću, međutim može se reći da se intenzivnija upotreba arhitektonskoga kamena nastavlja u ra-zvijenom srednjem vijeku, sve do danas. Cilj ovoga istraživanja je: analizom vidljivih faza kamenoloma koji daju najbolju dataciju pokušati odrediti eventu-alne razlike u kamenarskoj tehnici, tj. utvrditi even-tualne razlike u tragovima alata koji se prepoznaju na preostaloj stijenskoj masi. This paper analyses the possibility of the existence of certain differences in the traces of quarrymen's tools in Classical Antiquity, mediaeval, and certain early modern era quarries. The afore-mentioned traces are evident in the form of striae on rocks in the exploited parts of the quarries. Based on analyses of quarries containing a sufficient amount of elements for closer dating, the paper concludes that there are significant differences between Classical Antiquity and mediaeval quarries in terms of the density , direction and depth of the striae, as well as important differences in the layout and expansion of the quarries.
Novci u podvodnim istraživanjima jedni su od vrjednijih nalaza koji upotpunjuju sliku nekog nala... more Novci u podvodnim istraživanjima jedni su od vrjednijih nalaza koji upotpunjuju sliku nekog nalazišta i uvelike rasvjetljavaju kronološke odnose, ekonomiju kao i trgovačke veze. Autori u članku obrađuju novce pronađene u istraživanjima lučkih postrojenja i brodoloma. Najrjeđi primjeri a ujedno i najznačajniji nalazi novaca potječu s brodoloma. Novac pronađen kod antičkih brodoloma mogao je služiti kao sredstvo za trgovinu ali i kao ritualni element koji bi brodu trebao donijeti sreću u plovidbi i kod sklapanja trgovačkih poslova. I kod jednog i drugog slučaja novac je važan za relativno-kronološko određenje potonuća broda kao i same gradnje broda. Najvažnije je što su brodolomi zatvorene arheološke cjeline i novac pronađen kod njih ima izuzetnu databilnu vrijednost. Novci pronađeni u slojevima lučkih uređaja osim relativno-kronološkog određenja pokazuju i šire aspekte poput trgovačkih kontakata.
Many secrets lie hidden in the sea near Pakoštane. These were largely unknown until a few ... more Many secrets lie hidden in the sea near Pakoštane. These were largely unknown until a few years ago, when rich and diverse archaeolog- ical material associated with an important port complex were discovered on the seabed of this north Dalmatian coastal settlement situated some 40 km south of Zadar. To be precise, a shipwreck, salt pans and a port dating back to the Roman Imperial period were found at three locations within a spatious bay (Pl. 1: 1, 2). The archaeo- logical remains were irst noticed in June 2004 by Marko Meštrov, a student of archaeology and his- tory and also a diver. Systematic underwater ex- cavations started at approximately the same time, mainly supported inancially by the Pakoštane municipality1. The manager of the scientiic project Underwater Archaeological Excavations of the Ancient Ports of Adriatic Croatia was Zdenko Brusić from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Zadar, who su- pervised the irst excavation campaign, which re- vealed the location of the ancient port and rich cultural strata thorough site survey. Well pre- served remains of a shipwreck were partially ex- cavated, documented and protected (Pl. 2: 2 A, B) (Brusić 2005a: 191, 192; Ilkić 2006: 10, 11). The next campaign comprised new excava- tions in the ancient port (Brusić 2006: 306, 307). In the summer of 2007 excavation of the ship- wreck continued under the supervision of Irena Radić Rossi from the Croatian Conservation Institute at Zagreb. The ship’s construction was thoroughly documented thanks to cooperation with experts from the French Institute Centre National de la Recherche Scientiique, Centre Camille Jullian, Aix-en-Provence.
Grad Novalja smješten je na sjevernom dijelu otoka Paga, na prostoru koji obiluje ostatcima is vr... more Grad Novalja smješten je na sjevernom dijelu otoka Paga, na prostoru koji obiluje ostatcima is vremena antike. Na širem novaljskom prostoru u novije vrijeme započela su arheološka istraživanja koja su na svijetlo dana iznijela mnoštvo nalaza koji uvelike pridonose poznavanju prošlosti ovog kraja. U podmorskim arheološkim istraživanjima izvršenim 2007. pronađeni su i materijalni ostaci antičke luke na prostoru današnjeg grada Novalje. Ovim pronalaskom potvrđene su pretpostavke mnogih autora koji ističu vrlo važnu ulogu Novalje u tadašnjoj navigaciji istočnom obalom Jadranskog mora.
In this paper the author presents results of field surveys and rescue excavations at three sites.... more In this paper the author presents results of field surveys and rescue excavations at three sites. Islands of Sestrunj
and Dugi Otok were presented exclusively on the basis of field surveys, whereas underwater rescue archaeological
research was carried out in Splitska on the island of Brač. This research indicated that quarries in the vicinity of
Splitska were exploited most intensively during the construction of the palace of the Emperor Diocletian. On the
islands of Sestrunj and Dugi Otok, there are visible remains of quays for loading stone into ships, and wharfs for
transporting stone blocks to the sea. Recovered archaeological finds date these complexes to the period of antiquity.
The Vlakno cave is situated in the central part of the island of Dugi Otok between settlements Lu... more The Vlakno cave is situated in the central part of the island of Dugi Otok between settlements Luka and Savar.
The cave was suitable for dwelling of a smaller group throughout the year due to its look, size and orientation. The
third campaign of the archaeological research was undertaken at the beginning of 2010 with the aim of determining
complete startigraphy of the site so that the excavation was conducted within previously opened Trench B (fig. 1).
In the previous campaigns the level of tephra, Neapolitan Yellow Tuff was reached. Analyses indicate that this
layer was formed 14 500 years ago. In the new campaign additional 80 cm of deposits under tephra have been excavated,
and the bottom of the cave was not reached until the end of the campaign. Under the tephra there are three main layers
separated with two thin interlayers of ash and burnt soil which actually represent walking surfaces from the period
when the cave was in use. Preliminary analyses of the material from all three layers indicate to the Epigravettian period
corresponding with the general development of the Upper Palaeolithic on both sides of the Adriatic. Dates acquired for
layers under tephra indicate age from 12. 710 to 12. 120 cal. years BC (14. 660 to 14. 060 cal. years BP).
At the beginning of the new excavation decrease of the remains of marine organisms was evident, and the remains
of big terrestrial animals refer mostly to big ruminants. There are less flint tools, although they are still represented
with a significant number of specimens. There are also bone tools, such as perforated teeth of a deer (Cervus elaphus),
perforated shells and snails (Cyclope neritea, Columbella rustica and shells of the genus Glycimeris). Eight perforated
deers' teeth were found, six different perforated shells and a bead made of a shell of the genus Entalina (Dentalium
tetragonum) (fig. 2). Alongside these finds, we need to mention fragments of ten bone awls and punches.
Besides jewelry, meaning of the aesthetics gains even more importance regarding the find of two fragments
of chert nodules in the same layer. One of them is decorated with a row of short, parallel and two horizontal
incisions on the cortex (fig. 5). This was a segment of a larger depiction, continuing in three directions in relation to
the extant segment. Unfortunately other fragments are missing which is why it is impossible to discuss the type of
depiction. Nodule is broken, only its segment is preserved. It is triangular in cross-section, 3,6 cm long. Preliminary
analyses indicate that it was exposed to heating before it was broken.
Another fragment of a nodule was found in the same layer, semicircular in cross-section. Incisions in the
cortex are shallow, filling the entire surface as opposed to the previously mentioned fragment. This is a row of
slanted parallel short incisions encircling the flake (fig. 6).
Meaning of these objects remains unknown until the time of possible discovery of some other fragment. There
are no indications of functional characteristics of these incisions which is why it is reasonable to suppose that their
purpose was of aesthetic nature to say the least. It is possible that depictions on the stone from Vlakno have far more
complex meaning. Archaeologists assume that some of the art of the Upper Palaeolithic was used for information
storage. Geometric forms might represent different marks or symbols, messages illegible to a modern man.
These are not the only decorated objects from Vlakno. On a bone awl is a row of horizontal, short incisions on
the proximal part which were not created as a result of working or using bone (cutmarks) but they undoubtedly represent
a decoration of the object. Similar incisions (four short incisions) were found on the distal part of the bone punch. These
incisions can only have aesthetic meaning as well as on the previously mentioned example. However they may be a sign
of ownership or affiliation to a group, or, since the incisions repeat, they may represent a system of numbers.
Key words: Dugi otok, Vlakno cave, Palaeolithic, Epigravettian, Chert nodule with incisions, jewelry
Prijevod / Translation: Marija Korona
In September and October 2015, the staff of the Department
of Archaeology from the University in ... more In September and October 2015, the staff of the Department of Archaeology from the University in Zadar undertook the second phase of archaeological explorations at the prehistoric site in the underwater zone of the Pašman channel, between the islet of Ričul and the position of Tukljača on the coast. This year’s underwater explorations were began by surveying the archaeological remains of the prehistoric settlement as well as part of the seabed west of it, i.e., between the islets of Ričul and Galešnjak and the nearby shore. It was followed by multiday explorations of archaeological remains of the prehistoric settlement, or more precisely, the part located in the immediate vicinity of last year’s probe. The goal was to collect as much data as possible on the technical characteristics of the prehistoric settlement. Accordingly, 32 m2 were explored of only the upper part of the cultural layer. On a number of positions pavements were observed which were made of rather large amorphous stones. Numerous wooden pylons were also found, mostly stuck in regular formations, approximately in the southwestnortheast direction. One of them was taken out for taking a sample for radiocarbon analysis which dated it to the 15th century BC. A multitude of pottery shards were also from the Middle Bronze Age. Out of the bio-archaeological materials found, the bones of domestic animals were predominant.
As stated in the title, the subject of the research are prehistoric maritime structures. This for... more As stated in the title, the subject of the research are prehistoric maritime structures. This formulation of the name encompasses different structures of sites that have different functions. A common feature of these sites is their close connection with the sea and navigation. Maritime structures themselves can be divided into several types. The most numerous ones are islets that are connected to the mainland by a communication embankment, then settlements on smaller islets separated from the coast by shoals, settlements on artificial embankments and, finally, artificial islands formed on shoals not far from the mainland. Some sites, located a few metres below contemporaneous sea level, are totally submerged, while some are only partially submerged. Chronologically, the sites under research cover the period from the Early Neolithic to the end of the Iron Age.
Uploads
University of Zadar, the Department of Archeology
and the Stratum d. o. o. company carried out archaeological rescue excavations with the aim of determining the presence of possible archaeological remains in the mentioned area.
Both land and underwater archaeological excavations were carried out
in the period from June 27 to July 6, 2022. Mate Parica led archaeological
rescue excavations, and Aleksandra Matura was the deputy.
jugoistočno od grada Korčule. (Parica 2021;
Parica, Radić 2022) Istraživanja iz 2022. godine druga su po redu sistematska istraživanja ovog
lokaliteta. Istraživanjima iz 2021. jasno je definiran
segment zidane obale koja u obliku sedmerokuta okružuje cijeli lokalitet. Na glavnu liniju obale, s
vanjske strane, mjestimično se spajaju manji podzidi koji mogu biti posljedica širenja lokaliteta, ili je
pak riječ o konstrukcijama koje bi mogle služiti za
izvlačenje plovila.
The site of Soline is located about 2.5 kilometers southeast of the town of Korčula. (Parica
2021; Parica, Radić 2022) The 2022 excavation
is the second campaign of the systematic research
of this site. The excavations of 2021 clearly defined
the segment of the seawall that surrounds the entire site in the form of a heptagon. The main line
of the seawall, on the outside, is joined in places
by smaller retaining walls that may be the result of
the expansion of the site, or they may be structures
used to pull out vessels
na zračnim je snimkama uočena podmorska struktura promjera 100 metara, oko 40 metara udaljena od korčulanske
obale. Nakon podmorskog rekognosciranja utvrđeno je da
se radi o neolitičkom lokalitetu poligonalnog tlocrta s dobro
očuvanim ostacima arhitekture, ali i s brojnim pokretnim
nalazima. Analizom kamenih i keramičkih predmeta zaključili smo kako je riječ o nalazištu datiranom u kasni
neolitik. Soline su samo jedan od više istočnojadranskih lokaliteta lociranih zadnjih godina nekoliko metara ispod
morske površine. Razloge zašto se nekadašnje neolitičko
naselje danas nalazi na plitkom morskom dnu treba tražiti u transgresiji, a u razloge njihovih podizanja tek se počelo
pronicati.
(Summary)
At the depth of 4.1–4.4 meters on the seabed of the Soline bay, a part of the Pelješac Channel, about 2.5 kilometers southeast of the town of Korčula, an underwater
structure, measuring 100 meters in diameter, was discovered about 40 meters away from the Korčula coast.
After an underwater fields survey, it was established
that it was a Neolithic site with a polygonal layout and
well-preserved remains of dry-stone architecture. The
authors assume that the shore is artificially filled around
a cliff located in its center. Today, the most visible part is
the once low shoreline of the polygonal layout. Traces of
several dry-wall structures of different orientation have
been preserved at the site. The plateau was created with
the aim of building a settlement on it, and it was connected to the mainland by a communication embankment built from amorphous limestone boulders, as well
as smaller stones.
By analyzing several stone and ceramic objects collected
as representative samples from the seabed and shallow
trenches, it was concluded that this site can be dated to
the younger phase of Neolithic development, i.e. the first
half of the fifth millennium BC, also known as the Hvar
culture (decorative style). The reasons why the former
Neolithic settlement is below today’s sea level should
be sought in the transgression of the sea. This process,
as well as prehistoric sites that are on the seabed today,
has, in recent years, been confirmed over and over again,
but Soline are, so far, the only site of this type in central
Dalmatia.
Today’s depth of 4 meters, where the embankment is located, which once communicated between the site and
the mainland, helped calculate how much the sea level
has risen from the time of life in the settlement until
today. This depth should be increased by a few tens of
centimeters of the uppermost part of the site, probably
destroyed by the movements of waves, by and a few tens
of centimeters necessary for the site to have been above
tide level, so that the true number is between 4.4 meters
and 5 meters.
tragove alata na preostalim dijelovima stijenske mase. Tragovi na liticama kamenoloma govore o kontinuiranom korištenju
ovih kamenoloma više od dva tisućljeća, a dokazana je i gradnja antičkog foruma u Zadru upravo s kamenom koji je vađen
na padinama brda Sv.Ilija.
THE QUARRIES OF SVETI ILIJA
The author discusses the problem of exploitation of highquality architectural limestone from the slopes of the hill of
Sveti Ilija. The stonemasonry complex has been functioning
continuously for the last two thousand years. This site shows
different techniques of extracting stone blocks, and it is often possible to notice different systems of extraction which
sometimes overlap with older traces.
High-quality limestone from the slopes of Sveti Ilija was
exported all over the world during the modern period. There is also proof that it was traded in antiquity too since the
most important architectural elements of Zadar’s forum
were made precisely from this stone. The quarries on the slopes of Sveti Ilija represent an immense value in the cultural
landscape of Trogir’s hinterland and it is therefore extremely
important to preserve them for the next generations
modern times, is mainly the result of a field survey which was conducted on several occasions since
the 1980s to the present. The result of that is the fact that most of the proposed ideas in this article
can be mainly limited to a number of assumptions – some of them lacking an adequate argument.
By all accounts, the most significant complex in Roman times was the villa rustica at the location
of Ćune/Grusi with which the ruined remains of the church of St. Jelena above Polje are most likely
related, as well as possibly other fortified sites from that period. Smaller salt works had an important
economic meaning for that area to which we attribute the submerged archaeological constructions
located in the bays of Most/Mostić, Ćune and in the bay Soline. Archaeological findings of the
medieval period are almost completely unknown and potential sites of that time have been more the
result of assumptions rather than confirmed archaeological facts. Findings from the early modern
times are somewhat more familiar, primarily due to fragments of ceramic and glass objects found in
the bay Lučica.
There is no doubt that a more significant understanding of the archaeological heritage of historical
and present-day area of Veli Rat, from antiquity to the early modern times, can be obtained only by
a systematic research of potential archaeological sites. What also regretfully has to be stated is the
fact that part of the sites located on land will never be researched properly due to the devastation
caused by the clearing of the ground in order to obtain arable land, and the thorough looting of the
underwater archeological sites.
The author presents the results of five campaigns of submarine
archaeological research in Pocukmarak bay on the island of Silba
focusing on a stone embankment – quay which functioned as a
small waterfront in the bay. Former researchers noticed material
evidence from classical antiqity and Late Antiquity in immediate
hinterland of the bay. Late antique quay consists of stone sarcophagi
incorporated into a stone embankment. In addition to stone
finds, wood remains were found in the foundation of the stone
embankment. These remains of wooden structures were used as
fundament in the segment where the embankment spanned the
sand bed. According to 14C analysis the wood used for quay construction
was felled in the period between 425 and 595
40 km south of Zadar. To be precise, a shipwreck, salt pans and a port dating back to the Roman Imperial period were found at three locations within a spatious bay (Pl. 1: 1, 2). The archaeo- logical remains were irst noticed in June 2004 by Marko Meštrov, a student of archaeology and his- tory and also a diver. Systematic underwater ex- cavations started at approximately the same time, mainly supported inancially by the Pakoštane municipality1. The manager of the scientiic project Underwater Archaeological Excavations of the Ancient Ports of Adriatic Croatia was Zdenko Brusić from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Zadar, who su- pervised the irst excavation campaign, which re- vealed the location of the ancient port and rich cultural strata thorough site survey. Well pre- served remains of a shipwreck were partially ex- cavated, documented and protected (Pl. 2: 2 A, B) (Brusić 2005a: 191, 192; Ilkić 2006: 10, 11).
The next campaign comprised new excava-
tions in the ancient port (Brusić 2006: 306, 307). In the summer of 2007 excavation of the ship- wreck continued under the supervision of Irena Radić Rossi from the Croatian Conservation Institute at Zagreb. The ship’s construction was thoroughly documented thanks to cooperation with experts from the French Institute Centre National de la Recherche Scientiique, Centre Camille Jullian, Aix-en-Provence.
and Dugi Otok were presented exclusively on the basis of field surveys, whereas underwater rescue archaeological
research was carried out in Splitska on the island of Brač. This research indicated that quarries in the vicinity of
Splitska were exploited most intensively during the construction of the palace of the Emperor Diocletian. On the
islands of Sestrunj and Dugi Otok, there are visible remains of quays for loading stone into ships, and wharfs for
transporting stone blocks to the sea. Recovered archaeological finds date these complexes to the period of antiquity.
The cave was suitable for dwelling of a smaller group throughout the year due to its look, size and orientation. The
third campaign of the archaeological research was undertaken at the beginning of 2010 with the aim of determining
complete startigraphy of the site so that the excavation was conducted within previously opened Trench B (fig. 1).
In the previous campaigns the level of tephra, Neapolitan Yellow Tuff was reached. Analyses indicate that this
layer was formed 14 500 years ago. In the new campaign additional 80 cm of deposits under tephra have been excavated,
and the bottom of the cave was not reached until the end of the campaign. Under the tephra there are three main layers
separated with two thin interlayers of ash and burnt soil which actually represent walking surfaces from the period
when the cave was in use. Preliminary analyses of the material from all three layers indicate to the Epigravettian period
corresponding with the general development of the Upper Palaeolithic on both sides of the Adriatic. Dates acquired for
layers under tephra indicate age from 12. 710 to 12. 120 cal. years BC (14. 660 to 14. 060 cal. years BP).
At the beginning of the new excavation decrease of the remains of marine organisms was evident, and the remains
of big terrestrial animals refer mostly to big ruminants. There are less flint tools, although they are still represented
with a significant number of specimens. There are also bone tools, such as perforated teeth of a deer (Cervus elaphus),
perforated shells and snails (Cyclope neritea, Columbella rustica and shells of the genus Glycimeris). Eight perforated
deers' teeth were found, six different perforated shells and a bead made of a shell of the genus Entalina (Dentalium
tetragonum) (fig. 2). Alongside these finds, we need to mention fragments of ten bone awls and punches.
Besides jewelry, meaning of the aesthetics gains even more importance regarding the find of two fragments
of chert nodules in the same layer. One of them is decorated with a row of short, parallel and two horizontal
incisions on the cortex (fig. 5). This was a segment of a larger depiction, continuing in three directions in relation to
the extant segment. Unfortunately other fragments are missing which is why it is impossible to discuss the type of
depiction. Nodule is broken, only its segment is preserved. It is triangular in cross-section, 3,6 cm long. Preliminary
analyses indicate that it was exposed to heating before it was broken.
Another fragment of a nodule was found in the same layer, semicircular in cross-section. Incisions in the
cortex are shallow, filling the entire surface as opposed to the previously mentioned fragment. This is a row of
slanted parallel short incisions encircling the flake (fig. 6).
Meaning of these objects remains unknown until the time of possible discovery of some other fragment. There
are no indications of functional characteristics of these incisions which is why it is reasonable to suppose that their
purpose was of aesthetic nature to say the least. It is possible that depictions on the stone from Vlakno have far more
complex meaning. Archaeologists assume that some of the art of the Upper Palaeolithic was used for information
storage. Geometric forms might represent different marks or symbols, messages illegible to a modern man.
These are not the only decorated objects from Vlakno. On a bone awl is a row of horizontal, short incisions on
the proximal part which were not created as a result of working or using bone (cutmarks) but they undoubtedly represent
a decoration of the object. Similar incisions (four short incisions) were found on the distal part of the bone punch. These
incisions can only have aesthetic meaning as well as on the previously mentioned example. However they may be a sign
of ownership or affiliation to a group, or, since the incisions repeat, they may represent a system of numbers.
Key words: Dugi otok, Vlakno cave, Palaeolithic, Epigravettian, Chert nodule with incisions, jewelry
Prijevod / Translation: Marija Korona
University of Zadar, the Department of Archeology
and the Stratum d. o. o. company carried out archaeological rescue excavations with the aim of determining the presence of possible archaeological remains in the mentioned area.
Both land and underwater archaeological excavations were carried out
in the period from June 27 to July 6, 2022. Mate Parica led archaeological
rescue excavations, and Aleksandra Matura was the deputy.
jugoistočno od grada Korčule. (Parica 2021;
Parica, Radić 2022) Istraživanja iz 2022. godine druga su po redu sistematska istraživanja ovog
lokaliteta. Istraživanjima iz 2021. jasno je definiran
segment zidane obale koja u obliku sedmerokuta okružuje cijeli lokalitet. Na glavnu liniju obale, s
vanjske strane, mjestimično se spajaju manji podzidi koji mogu biti posljedica širenja lokaliteta, ili je
pak riječ o konstrukcijama koje bi mogle služiti za
izvlačenje plovila.
The site of Soline is located about 2.5 kilometers southeast of the town of Korčula. (Parica
2021; Parica, Radić 2022) The 2022 excavation
is the second campaign of the systematic research
of this site. The excavations of 2021 clearly defined
the segment of the seawall that surrounds the entire site in the form of a heptagon. The main line
of the seawall, on the outside, is joined in places
by smaller retaining walls that may be the result of
the expansion of the site, or they may be structures
used to pull out vessels
na zračnim je snimkama uočena podmorska struktura promjera 100 metara, oko 40 metara udaljena od korčulanske
obale. Nakon podmorskog rekognosciranja utvrđeno je da
se radi o neolitičkom lokalitetu poligonalnog tlocrta s dobro
očuvanim ostacima arhitekture, ali i s brojnim pokretnim
nalazima. Analizom kamenih i keramičkih predmeta zaključili smo kako je riječ o nalazištu datiranom u kasni
neolitik. Soline su samo jedan od više istočnojadranskih lokaliteta lociranih zadnjih godina nekoliko metara ispod
morske površine. Razloge zašto se nekadašnje neolitičko
naselje danas nalazi na plitkom morskom dnu treba tražiti u transgresiji, a u razloge njihovih podizanja tek se počelo
pronicati.
(Summary)
At the depth of 4.1–4.4 meters on the seabed of the Soline bay, a part of the Pelješac Channel, about 2.5 kilometers southeast of the town of Korčula, an underwater
structure, measuring 100 meters in diameter, was discovered about 40 meters away from the Korčula coast.
After an underwater fields survey, it was established
that it was a Neolithic site with a polygonal layout and
well-preserved remains of dry-stone architecture. The
authors assume that the shore is artificially filled around
a cliff located in its center. Today, the most visible part is
the once low shoreline of the polygonal layout. Traces of
several dry-wall structures of different orientation have
been preserved at the site. The plateau was created with
the aim of building a settlement on it, and it was connected to the mainland by a communication embankment built from amorphous limestone boulders, as well
as smaller stones.
By analyzing several stone and ceramic objects collected
as representative samples from the seabed and shallow
trenches, it was concluded that this site can be dated to
the younger phase of Neolithic development, i.e. the first
half of the fifth millennium BC, also known as the Hvar
culture (decorative style). The reasons why the former
Neolithic settlement is below today’s sea level should
be sought in the transgression of the sea. This process,
as well as prehistoric sites that are on the seabed today,
has, in recent years, been confirmed over and over again,
but Soline are, so far, the only site of this type in central
Dalmatia.
Today’s depth of 4 meters, where the embankment is located, which once communicated between the site and
the mainland, helped calculate how much the sea level
has risen from the time of life in the settlement until
today. This depth should be increased by a few tens of
centimeters of the uppermost part of the site, probably
destroyed by the movements of waves, by and a few tens
of centimeters necessary for the site to have been above
tide level, so that the true number is between 4.4 meters
and 5 meters.
tragove alata na preostalim dijelovima stijenske mase. Tragovi na liticama kamenoloma govore o kontinuiranom korištenju
ovih kamenoloma više od dva tisućljeća, a dokazana je i gradnja antičkog foruma u Zadru upravo s kamenom koji je vađen
na padinama brda Sv.Ilija.
THE QUARRIES OF SVETI ILIJA
The author discusses the problem of exploitation of highquality architectural limestone from the slopes of the hill of
Sveti Ilija. The stonemasonry complex has been functioning
continuously for the last two thousand years. This site shows
different techniques of extracting stone blocks, and it is often possible to notice different systems of extraction which
sometimes overlap with older traces.
High-quality limestone from the slopes of Sveti Ilija was
exported all over the world during the modern period. There is also proof that it was traded in antiquity too since the
most important architectural elements of Zadar’s forum
were made precisely from this stone. The quarries on the slopes of Sveti Ilija represent an immense value in the cultural
landscape of Trogir’s hinterland and it is therefore extremely
important to preserve them for the next generations
modern times, is mainly the result of a field survey which was conducted on several occasions since
the 1980s to the present. The result of that is the fact that most of the proposed ideas in this article
can be mainly limited to a number of assumptions – some of them lacking an adequate argument.
By all accounts, the most significant complex in Roman times was the villa rustica at the location
of Ćune/Grusi with which the ruined remains of the church of St. Jelena above Polje are most likely
related, as well as possibly other fortified sites from that period. Smaller salt works had an important
economic meaning for that area to which we attribute the submerged archaeological constructions
located in the bays of Most/Mostić, Ćune and in the bay Soline. Archaeological findings of the
medieval period are almost completely unknown and potential sites of that time have been more the
result of assumptions rather than confirmed archaeological facts. Findings from the early modern
times are somewhat more familiar, primarily due to fragments of ceramic and glass objects found in
the bay Lučica.
There is no doubt that a more significant understanding of the archaeological heritage of historical
and present-day area of Veli Rat, from antiquity to the early modern times, can be obtained only by
a systematic research of potential archaeological sites. What also regretfully has to be stated is the
fact that part of the sites located on land will never be researched properly due to the devastation
caused by the clearing of the ground in order to obtain arable land, and the thorough looting of the
underwater archeological sites.
The author presents the results of five campaigns of submarine
archaeological research in Pocukmarak bay on the island of Silba
focusing on a stone embankment – quay which functioned as a
small waterfront in the bay. Former researchers noticed material
evidence from classical antiqity and Late Antiquity in immediate
hinterland of the bay. Late antique quay consists of stone sarcophagi
incorporated into a stone embankment. In addition to stone
finds, wood remains were found in the foundation of the stone
embankment. These remains of wooden structures were used as
fundament in the segment where the embankment spanned the
sand bed. According to 14C analysis the wood used for quay construction
was felled in the period between 425 and 595
40 km south of Zadar. To be precise, a shipwreck, salt pans and a port dating back to the Roman Imperial period were found at three locations within a spatious bay (Pl. 1: 1, 2). The archaeo- logical remains were irst noticed in June 2004 by Marko Meštrov, a student of archaeology and his- tory and also a diver. Systematic underwater ex- cavations started at approximately the same time, mainly supported inancially by the Pakoštane municipality1. The manager of the scientiic project Underwater Archaeological Excavations of the Ancient Ports of Adriatic Croatia was Zdenko Brusić from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Zadar, who su- pervised the irst excavation campaign, which re- vealed the location of the ancient port and rich cultural strata thorough site survey. Well pre- served remains of a shipwreck were partially ex- cavated, documented and protected (Pl. 2: 2 A, B) (Brusić 2005a: 191, 192; Ilkić 2006: 10, 11).
The next campaign comprised new excava-
tions in the ancient port (Brusić 2006: 306, 307). In the summer of 2007 excavation of the ship- wreck continued under the supervision of Irena Radić Rossi from the Croatian Conservation Institute at Zagreb. The ship’s construction was thoroughly documented thanks to cooperation with experts from the French Institute Centre National de la Recherche Scientiique, Centre Camille Jullian, Aix-en-Provence.
and Dugi Otok were presented exclusively on the basis of field surveys, whereas underwater rescue archaeological
research was carried out in Splitska on the island of Brač. This research indicated that quarries in the vicinity of
Splitska were exploited most intensively during the construction of the palace of the Emperor Diocletian. On the
islands of Sestrunj and Dugi Otok, there are visible remains of quays for loading stone into ships, and wharfs for
transporting stone blocks to the sea. Recovered archaeological finds date these complexes to the period of antiquity.
The cave was suitable for dwelling of a smaller group throughout the year due to its look, size and orientation. The
third campaign of the archaeological research was undertaken at the beginning of 2010 with the aim of determining
complete startigraphy of the site so that the excavation was conducted within previously opened Trench B (fig. 1).
In the previous campaigns the level of tephra, Neapolitan Yellow Tuff was reached. Analyses indicate that this
layer was formed 14 500 years ago. In the new campaign additional 80 cm of deposits under tephra have been excavated,
and the bottom of the cave was not reached until the end of the campaign. Under the tephra there are three main layers
separated with two thin interlayers of ash and burnt soil which actually represent walking surfaces from the period
when the cave was in use. Preliminary analyses of the material from all three layers indicate to the Epigravettian period
corresponding with the general development of the Upper Palaeolithic on both sides of the Adriatic. Dates acquired for
layers under tephra indicate age from 12. 710 to 12. 120 cal. years BC (14. 660 to 14. 060 cal. years BP).
At the beginning of the new excavation decrease of the remains of marine organisms was evident, and the remains
of big terrestrial animals refer mostly to big ruminants. There are less flint tools, although they are still represented
with a significant number of specimens. There are also bone tools, such as perforated teeth of a deer (Cervus elaphus),
perforated shells and snails (Cyclope neritea, Columbella rustica and shells of the genus Glycimeris). Eight perforated
deers' teeth were found, six different perforated shells and a bead made of a shell of the genus Entalina (Dentalium
tetragonum) (fig. 2). Alongside these finds, we need to mention fragments of ten bone awls and punches.
Besides jewelry, meaning of the aesthetics gains even more importance regarding the find of two fragments
of chert nodules in the same layer. One of them is decorated with a row of short, parallel and two horizontal
incisions on the cortex (fig. 5). This was a segment of a larger depiction, continuing in three directions in relation to
the extant segment. Unfortunately other fragments are missing which is why it is impossible to discuss the type of
depiction. Nodule is broken, only its segment is preserved. It is triangular in cross-section, 3,6 cm long. Preliminary
analyses indicate that it was exposed to heating before it was broken.
Another fragment of a nodule was found in the same layer, semicircular in cross-section. Incisions in the
cortex are shallow, filling the entire surface as opposed to the previously mentioned fragment. This is a row of
slanted parallel short incisions encircling the flake (fig. 6).
Meaning of these objects remains unknown until the time of possible discovery of some other fragment. There
are no indications of functional characteristics of these incisions which is why it is reasonable to suppose that their
purpose was of aesthetic nature to say the least. It is possible that depictions on the stone from Vlakno have far more
complex meaning. Archaeologists assume that some of the art of the Upper Palaeolithic was used for information
storage. Geometric forms might represent different marks or symbols, messages illegible to a modern man.
These are not the only decorated objects from Vlakno. On a bone awl is a row of horizontal, short incisions on
the proximal part which were not created as a result of working or using bone (cutmarks) but they undoubtedly represent
a decoration of the object. Similar incisions (four short incisions) were found on the distal part of the bone punch. These
incisions can only have aesthetic meaning as well as on the previously mentioned example. However they may be a sign
of ownership or affiliation to a group, or, since the incisions repeat, they may represent a system of numbers.
Key words: Dugi otok, Vlakno cave, Palaeolithic, Epigravettian, Chert nodule with incisions, jewelry
Prijevod / Translation: Marija Korona
of Archaeology from the University in Zadar undertook the
second phase of archaeological explorations at the prehistoric
site in the underwater zone of the Pašman channel,
between the islet of Ričul and the position of Tukljača on
the coast. This year’s underwater explorations were began
by surveying the archaeological remains of the prehistoric
settlement as well as part of the seabed west of it, i.e.,
between the islets of Ričul and Galešnjak and the nearby
shore. It was followed by multiday explorations of archaeological
remains of the prehistoric settlement, or more precisely,
the part located in the immediate vicinity of last year’s
probe. The goal was to collect as much data as possible
on the technical characteristics of the prehistoric settlement.
Accordingly, 32 m2 were explored of only the upper part of
the cultural layer. On a number of positions pavements
were observed which were made of rather large amorphous
stones. Numerous wooden pylons were also found, mostly
stuck in regular formations, approximately in the southwestnortheast
direction. One of them was taken out for taking a
sample for radiocarbon analysis which dated it to the 15th
century BC. A multitude of pottery shards were also from the
Middle Bronze Age. Out of the bio-archaeological materials
found, the bones of domestic animals were predominant.
embankment, then settlements on smaller islets separated from the coast by shoals, settlements on artificial embankments and, finally, artificial islands formed on shoals not far from the mainland. Some sites, located a few metres below contemporaneous sea level, are totally submerged, while some are only partially submerged. Chronologically, the sites under research cover the period from the Early Neolithic to the end of the Iron Age.