A Contribution to the Understanding of the Citadela Fort in Zadar – the 2008 Investigations at the Barbakan

U sklopu radova na utvrdi Citadela na jugoistočnom dijelu gradskih zidina u Zadru, 2008. godine proveden je arheološki nadzor građevinskih radova na prostoru Barbakana. Istraživanja su donijela niz podataka o izgledu tog prostora i promijenila dosadašnje spoznaje o vremenu i načinu njegove gradnje. Manji dio nalaza pripada rimskom vremenu, dok veći potječe iz srednjovjekovnoga i novovjekovnog razdoblja. Među sitnim arheološkim nalazima prednjači keramika, unutar koje nalazimo i rijetke primjerke glazirane keramike iz 13. i 14. stoljeća, koji do sada nisu zabilježeni na zadarskom području. Osim keramike pronađen je i manji broj staklenih nalaza koji uglavnom pripadaju srednjovjekovnom razdoblju.Archaeological supervision of construction works in the zone of the Barbakan (Barbakan) was carried out in 2008 in the frame of the works on the Citadela fort (Citadela) in the southeastern part of the Zadar city walls. The investigations yielded a wealth of new information on the appearance of that space and changed our previous understanding of the time and method of its construction. A smaller number of finds belong to the Roman Age, while the majority comes from the Middle Ages and the Modern Period. Ceramic finds dominate among small archaeological finds, including rare specimens of glazed ware from the 13th and 14th centuries, formerly unregistered in the Zadar area. In addition to ceramic finds, there was also a small number of glass finds, mostly belonging to the mediaeval period

The Cave of Vlakno: A Sketch of Adriatic Prehistory

La grotta di Vlakno è un piccolo sito speleologico situato sulle pendici della baia di Šipnata sull’Isola Lunga. Sebbene gli scavi sistematici siano ancora in corso, Vlakno dimostra essere da tempo uno dei pochi luoghi sulla costa adriatica orientale che offre una possibile visione di una serie ininterrotta di strati di insediamento che, con la loro eredità culturale, consentono una migliore comprensione in adattamenti e cambiamenti nel comportamento dal tardo Pleistocene al primo Olocene. Il ricco materiale archeologico con le caratteristiche della cultura epigravettiana e gli strati culturali scoperti senza una notevole interruzione nella stratigrafia sono riconducibili a 19.480 anni calibrati prima del presente (BP) che permette di comprendere lo sviluppo delle ultime fasi del Paleolitico e il graduale adattamento delle comunità all’ambiente postglaciale.Located in the centre of the island of Dugi otok, the Cave of Vlakno, having an interior surface of 40 m2, made an ideal living space for small hunter-gatherer communities during the Upper Palaeolithic and Early Mesolithic. The trial excavations of the cave began in 2004 and have reached a depth of 5 m so far, uncovering cultural layers that date back 19,500 years in relative continuity. Considering that the stratigraphic sequence showed no evidence of hiatus and taking the found tephra deposits as clear chronological and stratigraphic markers, Vlakno makes an ideal site for studying the Pleistocene-Holocene transition as well as the response of the Epigravettian communities inhabiting the eastern Adriatic coast to climate and environmental changes. The patterns indicate a gradual transition to Mesolithic culture profoundly influenced by the Epigravettian tradition

The Cave of Vlakno: A Sketch of Adriatic Prehistory

La grotta di Vlakno è un piccolo sito speleologico situato sulle pendici della baia di Šipnata sull’Isola Lunga. Sebbene gli scavi sistematici siano ancora in corso, Vlakno dimostra essere da tempo uno dei pochi luoghi sulla costa adriatica orientale che offre una possibile visione di una serie ininterrotta di strati di insediamento che, con la loro eredità culturale, consentono una migliore comprensione in adattamenti e cambiamenti nel comportamento dal tardo Pleistocene al primo Olocene. Il ricco materiale archeologico con le caratteristiche della cultura epigravettiana e gli strati culturali scoperti senza una notevole interruzione nella stratigrafia sono riconducibili a 19.480 anni calibrati prima del presente (BP) che permette di comprendere lo sviluppo delle ultime fasi del Paleolitico e il graduale adattamento delle comunità all’ambiente postglaciale.Located in the centre of the island of Dugi otok, the Cave of Vlakno, having an interior surface of 40 m2, made an ideal living space for small hunter-gatherer communities during the Upper Palaeolithic and Early Mesolithic. The trial excavations of the cave began in 2004 and have reached a depth of 5 m so far, uncovering cultural layers that date back 19,500 years in relative continuity. Considering that the stratigraphic sequence showed no evidence of hiatus and taking the found tephra deposits as clear chronological and stratigraphic markers, Vlakno makes an ideal site for studying the Pleistocene-Holocene transition as well as the response of the Epigravettian communities inhabiting the eastern Adriatic coast to climate and environmental changes. The patterns indicate a gradual transition to Mesolithic culture profoundly influenced by the Epigravettian tradition

Pećina Vlakno na Dugom otoku

Pećina Vlakno nalazi se na središnjem dijelu Dugog otoka. Mala dvorana površine 40 m2 poslužila je kao idealno mjesto za boravak manjih zajednica lovaca-sakupljača tijekom gornjeg paleolitika i mezolitika. Probna iskopavanja u pećini započela su 2004. godine, pri čemu je dosegnuta dubina od 5 m, s kulturnim slojevima koji se u relativnom kontinuitetu mogu pratiti sve do unatrag 19,500 godina. Stratigrafija bez vidljivog hijatusa, s tefrom kao jasnim kronološkim i stratigrafskim markerom čini Vlakno izvrsnim mjestom za proučavanje prijelaza pleistocena u holocen i prilagodbe epigravetijenskih zajednica istočnog Jadrana na velike klimatske i okolišne promjene. Uzorci pokazuju postupni prijelaz na tipičnu mezolitičku kulturu sa snažno izraženom epigravetijenskom tradicijom

Neolithic platelets with a groove

Keramičke pločice sa žlijebom, iako pronađene u relativno malom broju, jedna su od prepoznatljivih kategorija predmeta posebne namjene neolitika istočnog Jadrana. Primjerci spojeni sa životinjskim figurama daju naznaku simboličkog značenja uz širok aspekt tumačenja njihove funkcije.Ceramic platelets with a groove, though relatively scarce, are one of recognizable categories of objects with special functions in the Neolithic of the eastern Adriatic. Examples which are joined with animal figures indicate possible symbolical meaning alongside wide aspect of interpretations of their function

Grave 75 at the Pakoštane-Crkvina site

Na lokalitetu Pakoštane–Crkvina arheološkim su istraživanjima od 2006. do 2013. godine otkriveni ostaci crkve sv. Marije koja je pripadala srednjovjekovnom naselju Zablaće. Uz crkvu su otkrivene i pomoćne prostorije te srednjovjekovno groblje. Svojim osobitostima ističe se grob 75. Riječ je o zidanoj grobnici romaničkih stilskih karakteristika. Izgradnja ove neobične grobnice može se smjestiti u 12. stoljeće i usporediti s grobnicom opatice Vekenege u benediktinskom samostanu Sv. Marije u Zadru, a na osnovi očuvanih dijelova moguća je i njena djelomična rekonstrukcija. Osim raskošne arhitekture groba 75 treba također u njemu izdvojiti i nalaze koji se većim dijelom odnose na nakit, dijelove nošnje i novac. Grob 75 te ostatak otkrivenih grobova i nalaza na lokalitetu upućuju na njegov izuzetan značaj u razdoblju od 12. do 16. stoljeća.In the course of archaeological excavations at the Pakoštane-Crkvina site from 2006 to 2013, the remnants of the Church of St. Mary, which was part of the medieval settlement of Zablaće, were unearthed. Auxiliary rooms and a medieval cemetery were uncovered beside the church. However, the features of grave 75 make it stand out. It is a constructed tomb with Romanesque style characteristics. The construction of this unusual grave can be dated to the 12th century. It can be compared to the tomb of the Abbess Vekenega in the Benedictine monastery of St. Mary in Zadar. Partial reconstruction is also possible based on the preserved parts. Apart from its rich architecture, grave 75 should also be singled out for the finds uncovered within it. These include jewellery, parts of attire and coins. Grave 75 and the other unearthed graves and finds indicate the site’s importance in the period between the 12th and 16th century

A contribution to the study of early prehistory of Veli Rat on the island of Dugi Otok

Rana prapovijest, prije svega paleolitička razdoblja, na prostoru Velog Rata poznata su u literaturi već više od 50 godina, a svako novo istraživanje proširuje spoznaje. Cilj posljednjega u nizu terenskih pregleda bio je prvenstveno utvrditi postojanje novih nalazišta, ali i dokumentirati već postojeća koja nisu dobro dokumentirana. Sveukupno je pregledano 10 većih prostornih zona, od kojih je otkriveno šest dosad nepoznatih pozicija s paleolitičkim artefaktima. Prvenstveno litički nalazi fino se uklapaju u dosadašnje spoznaje. Većina prikupljenih predmeta pokazuje karakteristike musterijenske kulture, dok manji dio, prema tipološkim i tehnološkim karakteristikama, može pripadati i mlađim razdobljima. Otkrivene pozicije se u radu promatraju ne samo u sklopu prijašnjih istraživanja Velog rata, nego u sklopu širega prostora Zadra, od Velebita do zadarskih otoka, gdje je do sada poznato preko 30 pozicija s nalazima iz vremena paleolitika.Early prehistory, primarily the Paleaolithic periods in the Veli Rat area have been known in the scholarly literature for over 50 years, and each new research broadens the existing knowledge. The aim of the last field survey was primarily to determine if there are any new sites and to document the existing ones that were not properly documented. Ten large spatial zones have been surveyed, yielding six previously unknown positions with the Paleolithic artifacts. Primarily lithic finds correspond well to the previous insights. Most of the recovered objects exhibit characteristics of the Mousterian culture, while a smaller part might belong to younger periods judging from the typological and technological characteristics. Discovered sites are studied not only within previous research of Veli rat but also within wider region of Zadar, from Velebit to the islands of Zadar where over 30 sites with Palaeolithic finds have been pinpointed

The Ričina spring cave in Buško Jezero. The first traces of the Palaeolithic in the western Herzegovina region

Izvor – špilja Ričina nalazi se na širem području zaseoka Vrilo u blizini Tomislavgrada. Dio je većega kompleksa, točnije riječ je o tri špiljska ulaza međusobno povezana špiljskim kanalima koji su nastali korozivnim djelovanjem snažnoga podzemnog toka. Za vrijeme viših vodostaja akumulacijskoga jezera kompleks, ali i područje uokolo je potopljeno. Špiljski kompleks je već prije speleološki dokumentiran, a prilikom jednoga posjeta speleolozi su ispred špilje uočili ostatke kremenoga oruđa. Pronalazak je potaknuo arheološka istraživanja prilikom kojih je, ispred ulaza u pećinu, pronađeno mjesto izrade litičkih predmeta. Tanki kulturni sloj i prostorna dispozicija nalaza asocira na sekundarni položaj nalaza, ali geomorfološke karakteristike terena pokazuju da je, ipak, riječ o izvornoj zoni litičke obrade. Postojanje gotovo svih faza lanca operacija (nedostaje jedino faza prikupljanja sirovine) ukazuje kako se cjelokupni proces obrade odvijao na ovome mjestu. Iako kronološke analize za sada nisu moguće, tipološke i tehnološke karakteristike, uz pojavu obrađenih sječiva, grebala i pločica s hrptom, sasvim jasno ukazuju na epigravetijensku kulturu. Time nalazište na izvoru Ričine postaje prvo paleolitičko nalazište na prostoru zapadne Hercegovine.The Ričina spring cave is located in the wider region of the Vrilo hamlet in the vicinity of Tomislavgrad. It is a part of a larger complex, more precisely there are three cave entrances mutually connected with cave channels, created as a consequence of the corrosive activity of a strong underground stream. The complex and the surrounding region are flooded when there is a high water level in the reservoir. The cave complex has already been documented speleologically, and remains of stone tools were noticed by speleologists in one of their visits to the cave. This discovery incited archaeological research that resulted in the identification of a place in front of the cave where lithic objects were made. The thin cultural layer and spatial disposition of the finds imply their secondary position, but the geomorphological characteristics of the terrain indicate that it was the original zone of lithic production. The presence of almost all the phases of the operational sequence (only the collection of raw material is missing) indicates that the entire process of production happened at this spot. Though chronological analyses are unavailable for the time being, typological and technological characteristics, along with the presence of retouched blades, end scrapers and backed bladelets, clearly indicate the Epigravettian culture. It means that the site at the source of Ričina is the first Palaeolithic site in the western Herzegovina region

Jewelry and Art of Vlakno Cave

U članku se obrađuju nakitni predmeti pronađeni na lokalitetu Vlakno na Dugom otoku, pećine koja sadrži slojeve gornjeg paleolitika i mezolitika. Autori analiziraju geostrateški položaj pećine u vrijeme epigravetijena, te opisuju promjene u okolišu uvjetovane znatno nižom razinom mora. Nakit od probušenih zuba jelena, morskih puževa i školjaka, a posebice gomolje s urezanim prikazima, uspoređuju sa sličnim nalazima obiju jadranskih obala. Ističu važnost pećine Vlakno za ukupno poznavanje nakita i umjetnosti gornjeg paleolitika.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\u27 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

New Archaeological Findings from the Region of Drinovci

U radu se donose rezultati arheoloških istraživanja (iskopavanja) provedenih na prostoru Drinovaca (općina Grude). Istraživanja su bila usmjerena na dva arheološka nalazišta do sada nepoznata u stručnoj literaturi, a koja se razlikuju po svojoj topografiji, namjeni i vremenskom tj. kulturnom kontekstu. Riječ je o Pećini na Zaskoku i prapovijesnoj kamenoj gomili u podnožju brda Petnjik. Istraživanjima je dobivena izvorna arheološka građa i podatci koje atribuiramo u vrijeme ranog brončanog doba (gomila) i novoga vijeka (pećina).The paper publishes the archaeological research on two sites from the Drinovci region (Municipality of Grude). One site is a type of cave – the Cave on Zaskok, and the other an ancient stone tumulus; thus two different types of archaeological sites, with different functions and from different time periods and cultural contexts. Therefore, different strategies and approaches to the sites themselves had to be used during the excavation, along with different methods of excavation, and different methods for collecting data and archaeological materials. The research on the Cave on Zaskok revealed that it had been used during the New Age. Within the cave itself, there are documented traces of an object which had burnt down and was never restored. The object had been built with walls running lengthwise, partitioning the interior of the cave, which served economic purposes (storehouse, workroom). Furthermore, at the foot of the cave/object is a water mill, which can be placed in the closest temporal and functional context of a documented New-Age layer in the cave, particularly as a path runs directly along the entrance to the cave, as the only communication route to descend to the watermill. Whilst excavating the Cave at Zaskok, the older layers were not documented, and the geological foundation was a layer of transported sediment that was the result of water flow, which would suggest that water had flowed through the cave at an earlier date and that this was the reason it had not been attractive to communities in earlier historical and ancient periods. The second part of the investigation was directed towards a prehistoric stone tumulus placed at the foot of Petnjik hill. It is a burial monument typical for cultural regions during the Bronze Age. The excavation documented three graves (with grave-2 having two interred bodies); unfortunately, all three graves had been found devastated. The funereal architecture was in the form of stone chests consisting of four vertically placed stone slabs. Only grave-2 had grave goods in the form of ceramic bowls and a flint fire striker. Thanks to the chronologically sensitive elements that we found in the gathered fragments (including the Litzen decoration), we can date grave-2 from the second half of the early Bronze Age. Whilst analysing the interior space (stratigraphic) relations, it is evident that grave-1 is the oldest, and that it was the primary burial for which the tumulus was raised