Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
GIS OF ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES FROM THE
PREHISTORIC PERIOD AT THE TERRITORY OF THE
REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
Stanislav Frangeš, Nada Vučetić, Robert Župan
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Geodesy
10000 Zagreb, Kačićeva 26, Croatia
e-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Abstract
Archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of
Croatia are classified in six basic prehistoric periods: the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic,
Neolithic, Eneolithic, Bronze and Iron Age, and they are located referring to larger
settlements. The produced GIS gives apart from the data about the position and prehistoric
period of the site, also the data about the culture it belongs to, its major characteristics, site
significance, the main artefacts etc. GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric time at
the territory of Croatia is made by means of the program OCAD. For the purpose of
visualisation a thematic map has been produced with the locations of sites presented on it.
Key words: GIS, archeological sites from the prehistoric period
1. INTRODUCTION
At the territory of the Republic of Croatia a large number of archaeological sites
from prehistoric times has been found. It initiated the production of GIS containing
spatially located sites and offering the data about the prehistoric period they originate from.
2. CROATIAN TERRITORIES IN THE PREHISTORIC TIME
From the earliest times, i.e. as the man appeared for the first time at the European
ground, there have been the traces of human presence on the Croatian ground as well. The
history of the prehistoric period at the territory of the present Croatia is identical with the
European history. The flow of prehistoric periods as the territory of the present England,
Italy, Poland, France or German developed identically at the territory of the present
Croatia.
Croatia used to be, due to its geographic position, oriented and connected with
various environments, which has proved to be a great advantage and has contributed to rich
and lively development of prehistoric cultures. The area of northern Croatia belonged to
the culture of Pannonian plane and south-eastern Alpine region, and the eastern part of
North Croatia – Srijem, Baranja and Slavonija – was under the influence of south-eastern
Europe. Banovina with Kordun and Lika were connected with the northwestern Balkans,
however, this area is also the shortest way between Pannonia and the Adriatic Sea, and it
also connected Pannonia with the Mediterranean through the Adriatic Sea. Our largest
peninsula Istria is connected with the circumstances in Italy, and together with Primorje
and Dalmatia it belongs to the edge of the Mediterranean prehistoric period. Apart from all
these different influences, each above-mentioned territory had its own specific
characteristics (Dimitrijević et al. 1988).
240
Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
2.1 Cultures and sites at the territory of Croatia in the prehistoric time
2.1.1 Palaeolithic
The Palaeolithic is the oldest Stone Age. The first human artefacts32 found at the
territory of Europe date as far as 1.5-1 million years ago. The Palaeolithic man started,
apart from working in stone, to burry his dead, to use fire, build places to live in. In the
older Stone Age he started to specialize in coming together with others to hunt, in order to
catch larger wild animals. The Palaeolithic is divided into older, middle and younger
Palaeolithic.
The major cultures appearing in the older Palaeolithic
are the culture of Olduvai and Acheuleen culture.
The culture of Olduvai33 is characterised by rough
stone treatment whereby the stone is roughly trimmed at its
edges using short hand swings. It is very difficult to see the
difference between the natural stone and the tools made by
men in Olduvian time. There was a similar pebble from this
period found in our cave Šandalja I near Pula (Fig. 1). This is
so far the oldest object made by human hand and found in our
country.
Fig. 1. The oldest man-made
object found on the Croatian ground
The Acheuleen culture lasting for a very long period of time (1000-150 thousand
years ago) was not monotonous. It was the period of monotonous techniques and cultural
subtypes. During the Acheuleen period the man started to observe the seasons, use fire, and
to unite, which is the most important, developing thus the language as well. A typical
locality of this culture in our country is Punikve near Ivanec in Hrvatsko Zagorje.
The Middle Palaeolithic period started about 150 000 year ago and finished about
40 000 to 35 000 years B.C. This period was characterised by the Mousterian culture.34
The development of man during the period of the Mousterian culture was at the
level of Homo sapiens, i.e. its most known group – the Neanderthal men. The locality
Hušnjakovo brdo near Krapina was discovered in 1899. Apart from various sharp pointed
objects and scrapers there were parts of human bones found as well belonging probably to
23 people.
The Mousterian findings from Vindija are similar to those from Krapina from the
same period. This locality is situated in the cave with a large hall (about 50 × 25 m).
Another site similar to the one in Krapina is placed in the cave Veternica – the
oldest human residence in the city of Zagreb that used to be shelter and dwelling place for
many generations of Neanderthal men. Many fossil remnants of animal species and various
tools were found in it.
32
Man-made object unlike the natural one.
It has got its name after the hollow Olduvai in Africa where the remains of this culture have been found.
These are at the same time the oldest found man-made objects (Homo habilis).
34
It has got its name after the locality Le Moustier near Dordogne in France.
33
241
Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
In the continental part of Croatia there were also the following localities of
Mousterian culture noticed: Vilenica – cave locality and Velika pećina on Ravna gora
belonging to the final phase of this culture. The sharp pointed objects and scrapers were
found in the coastal and island area of smaller dimensions than those in the continental
part, and they belong to the later phase of the Mousterian culture. The sites found in this
area so far are Panjorovica on Dugi otok, Pećine u Brini near Drniš. According to the
opinion of many archaeologists, the most beautiful collection of the Mousterian findings in
Croatia was found in Vela jama on the island Lošinj. There were also the sites Slivnica and
Radovin near Zadar discovered.
The younger Palaeolithic Age (35-10 thousand years B.C.) is characterised by the
variety of cultures and traditions. The most important innovation of this period was the
production of tools from flint stone lamellae35, knives36, daggers, sharp pointed objects and
other tools and weapons. At the end of the Older Palaeolithic, the arrows and harpoons
started to be produced. Other raw materials were used. Leather, horns and hair were found
in the quarters. The leather was used for making clothes and tents. Wood trunks were used
for making boats. Furthermore, the first art objects date from the younger Palaeolithic.
These are small wax or clay statuettes of fertile female figures or wild animals, and later
the fine art appeared as well (cave paintings). In the younger Palaeolithic, the man – Homo
sapiens sapiens37 – made the first calendars and the system of signs and symbols. The
cultures we meet in Croatia from this period are Aurignac38 and Gravette39.
Aurignac culture was brought to the Central and Western Europe by the groups of
hunters – Homo sapiens – about 36 thousand year ago. The characteristics of this culture
are the tools like scrapers, chisels and polished cutting edges40. Our sites from this period
are Velika pećina and the cave in Vindija in Hrvatsko Zagorje.
Gravette culture developed 28 000 and 20 000 thousand years ago in the inland of
Europe. It is characterized by the fact that the stone is not used only for the production of
tools and weapons, but also for making art objects41. A lot of so called “Venuses”, female
statuettes were found that are made of ivory, bone, stone and clay presenting the fertility
cult. La Gravette locality in Croatia can be found in the cave Šandalja II near Pula. The
other sites from the La Gravette period are: Romuladova pećina also in Istria, Lopar on the
island Rab, and Jama na Sredi on the island Cres where a sharp pointed object in the form
of laurel leaf was found.
2.1.2. Mesolithic
The Mesolithic is the middle Stone Age that lasted approximately 10 000-6000
years B.C. (in South-eastern Europe from 8000-5000 B.C.). During the period of
Mesolithic the races were developed: Negroid, Mongoloid and European race. The man
tamed a dog, giant animals died out (mammoth and similar). The Mesolithic is the
prehistoric period most poorly researched in Croatia. The only collection from that period
is placed in the cave Vindija.
35
Small, thin and elongated artefacts that can be sharp pointed having a ridge usually on the backside.
A tool made on a cutting edge with visible traces of usage.
37
During the period of the younger Palaeolithic the Neanderthal men were replaced by the Homo sapiens
sapiens.
38
It has got its name after the place Aurignac in France.
39
According to the locality La Gravette in Italy.
40
Splinters the length of which is at least twice larger than width.
41
The beginning of plastic art and fine art is in La Gravette.
36
242
Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
2.1.3 Neolithic
The Neolithic is the name for a younger Stone Age. It lasted approximately from
6000-3500 B.C. In the Neolithic period the man lived in settlements of rural or urban type.
He dealt with cattle breeding and agriculture. At the territory of material culture, the
potter’s and ceramic production started to be developed. The Neolithic art is expressed in
the production and decoration of ceramic pots. The cultures in the Neolithic are spread in
significantly smaller area and are of much more regular character than before.
The culture of Starčevo was named after the village Starčevo near Pančevo in
Vojvodina. In Croatia it spread over the entire area between the rivers Sava and Drava
from Bjelovar to Ilok. At Starčevo localities there were the remains of a potter’s oven, as
well as of a loom. The artistic expressed can be seen in the ceramic production and
statuettes – idols. The first discovered locality of the culture of Starčevo is Vučedol. Apart
from it there are also the localities Pepelana near Virovitica, Cernička Šagovina near Nova
Gradiška, Igrač and Zadubravlje near Slavonski brod, Ždralovi and Stara Rača near
Bjelovar, Sarvaš and Vinkovci with a few sites in it.
The culture of impresso-ceramics spread in the coastal area of Croatia. The time of
its lasting goes along with the culture of Starčevo. The new aspects of this culture are the
production of ceramic pots and their decoration by means of pressing a finger, a nail or the
top of some other sharp pointed object. The dwelling objects at the locality Ižula near
Medulin and Smilčić near Zadar were made of switches and earth. At the site Krković near
Šibenik there sod houses found. Jama na Sredi on the island Cres, Vorganska peć on the
island Krk, Škarin Samograd near Drniš, Markova spilja on the island Hvar and Gudnja on
the island Dugi otok are other localities discovered as well.
The culture of Vinča has got its name after the prehistoric settlement Vinča placed
at the right coast of Danube in Serbia. It included only the farthest eastern part of Croatia
along the border with Vojvodina. The new characteristic of this culture was that ceramic
products were baked with reduced supply of oxygen, which resulted in getting pots of
darker colour. The Croatian site of the culture of Vinča was discovered near Ilok in the
place Bapska. The site Berendijev vinograd in Vukovar also belongs to the culture of
Vinča.
The culture of Sopot has got its name after the settlement Sopot near Vinkovci. It
spread in the area among the rivers Sava, Drava and Danube from Srijem to Križevci. The
settlements of Sopot (the first fortified settlements in this part of Europe) were placed
mostly in the flatland in the vicinity of a river or some larger stream. They were
surrounded by a ditch and palisade42. Such type of settlements was discovered at the
localities Sopot, Otok, and Orolik near Vinkovci and Hermanov vinograd near Osijek.
Apart from flatland settlements there were also the settlements discovered in the hills –
Bapska near Ilok and Klokočevik near Slavonski Brod. The culture of Sopot took over
from the culture of Vinča the manner of baking ceramics (with reduced oxygen supply).
Apart from above stated there was also the site Bogdanovci discovered near Vukovar.
The culture of Korenovo has got its name after the village Malo Korenovo near
Bjelovar. It arose in the time of significant population and cultural changes caused by the
appearance of the culture of Vinča. The population of Starčevo, expelled from their parent
areas, moved into the northern and western river areas of Croatia. It resulted in the
42
Wooden sharp pointed stakes stuck into the ground.
243
Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
development of the culture of Korenovo in this area. It occupied the territory of Moslavina
where the sites Kaniška Iva and Tomašica near Garešnica, the area of Bjelovar –
Drljanovac, Malo Korenovo and Dautan were found. Individual sites of the Korenovo
ceramics are Gavrinci near Pakrac, Jakšić near Požega, Pepelana near Virovitica and Staro
Čiče in Turopolje. The special characteristic of the culture of Korenovo is its ceramic
pottery decorated with linear tape like lines.
In the northwestern area where the culture of Korenovo spread, there was also the
culture of Sopot penetrating. After they had mixed, the Brezovljani type of the culture of
Sopot was developed. The ceramic pots belonging to this culture were baked first with the
presence of oxygen, and later, in some parts, the baking with reduced oxygen supply was
applied resulting in dark spots on these places. Apart from the site Gornji Brezovljani near
Križevci there were sites found as well in the surroundings of Bjelovar – Drljanovac,
around Virovitica – Jasenaš and Špišić Bukovica, and in Turopolje – Staro Čiče.
The culture of Danilo appeared almost in the same area where the culture of
impresso-ceramics had been earlier. It has got its name after the locality Danilo near
Šibenik. It is very likely that the culture is autochthonous. The dwelling objects of Danilo
were circular dug-in huts Danilo near Šibenik and Brijuni, aboveground circular small
houses – Smilčić near Zadar or aboveground rectangular houses with the packed-clay floor
– Bribir near Šibenik. In the area where the culture of Danilo was spread, the ceramic pots
of various shapes were found decorated by means of engraving, hollowing out or relief
shaping of ornaments. The Danilo sites produced the figures with various themes (female
and mail figures and various animals).
The culture of Hvar continues after the culture of Danilo. It occupied mostly the
same areas, even settlements. Its contribution is evidenced in less exuberant decoration of
ceramic pots of higher quality in production and with more clearly shaped figures. The
sites of Hvar offered a lot of ritual vessels similar to specific vessels from Danilo culture,
but having the bottom in the form of human legs kneeling. The first discovered locality on
Hvar is Grapčeva spilja (cave) on Hvar. The other localities discovered on Hvar are
Markova spilja, then the sites Vela spilja on Korčula, Gudnja on Pelješac and Smilčić near
Zadar were discovered as well.
There is another locality from the Neolithic period. It is the site Stari Grad in Ozalj.
It belongs to the late Neolithic, i.e. it is the regional version of ice, so far not named,
culture43.
2.1.4. Eneolithic
The Eneolithic is the name for the Age of Copper. It lasted from about 3500-2200
B.C. In economic activity the cattle breeding had overcome farming. Artistic expression
can be noticed further on in ceramics. In social area, there are more firmly connected and
organised tribe communities starting to be formed. Thus organised communities were more
powerful than the population existing until that period. All these changes led to the
development of new cultures.
The culture of Lasinje has got its name after the place Lasinje on the river Kupa. It
left most traces in the area between the rivers Sava and Drava, from Našice to the mouth of
43
The culture at the turn of the Neolithic into the Eneolithic. It arose from the culture of Sopot and developed
further on into the culture of Lasinje. This culture is typical for its ceramic pots combined with animal
figures.
244
Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
the river Orljava into the river Sava in the east and to the Velebit in the southwest. The
findings belonging to the culture of Lasinje have been found in the surroundings of Požega
– Novoselec, Zarilovac and Jakšić, near Josipdol – Jakšić, Vrlovika near Ozalj, Beketinec
– Imbralovec and Ždralovi near Križevci, Cerje Tužno – Krč near Ivanec, Koška near
Našice and Vinkovci .
The culture Retz-Gajari appeared in the north-western Croatia in the time of the
late culture of Lasinje. The population of this culture was occupied with cattle breeding. In
Hrvatsko Zagorje the localities of this culture have been found in the places Vindija near
Donje Voće, Velika pećina near Višnjica. At the territory of Slavonija the sites Popovčica
– Katinska have been found near Satnice (Đakovo), Hrnjevac and Pepelana near
Virovitica. The site Drljanovac near Bjelovar has also been found.
The culture of Baden has got its name according to the locality Baden – Königshöle
in the Lower Austria. It brings at the territory of Croatia real copper age. It spread in
Croatia at the territory of eastern and central Slavonija and Baranja. Ceramic production
was based on the principle of imitating metal samples. The surface of vessels was polished
in black44, having high almost metal shine. The form of these vessels imitated the form of
the metal ones. The dishes were of high quality production without a lot of decoration. A
few female statuettes have been found. The localities of this culture have been found in the
places Vučedol, Bapska, Vinkovci, Donja Vrba near Slavonski Brod, Grabrovac near
Đakovo, Sarvaš, Beli Manastir, Gomolava and Gradac Vučedolski.
The culture of Kostolac has got its name after the place Kostolac in Serbia. At the
territory of Croatia it was spread in Slavonija and Srijem. The settlements were very often
at the same places or in the vicinity of Neolithic and Eneolithic cultures. So far the
following localities have been discovered: Vučedol, Sarvaš, Gomolava in Srijem, Cerić –
Plandište near Vinkovci, Ašikovci near Pleternica.
At the end of the Eneolithic, the culture of Vučedol appeared at the territory of
Croatia. Its original area is eastern Slavonija and Srijem. The culture has got its name after
the locality Vučedol, placed at the right coast of the river Danube not far from Vukovar. At
the beginning, the culture of Vučedol spread at the territory of eastern Slavonija and
Srijem. It spread later in the large area: from Prague in the north, south Bosnia in the south,
the south Carpathians in the east and south-eastern Alpine area in the west. The ceramic
was made from clarified clay and by means of an improved technique. The forms of the
dishes are similar or the same as in the cultures of Sopot and Kostolac. The decoration
techniques were engraving, riffled engraving, carving and scoring45. The decoration was
placed mostly at only one part of a vessel. The most famous vessel is the Dove of Vučedol
that was used for ceremonial purposes, then the ceramic bowl consisting of three parts, a
ceramic “censer” etc. Apart from Vučedol there have been the sites in Sarvaš and Vinkovci
also found.
Recently the oldest calendar in Europe has been found in Vučedol – “The Orion of
Vučedol” (Fig. 2). The Calendar of Vučedol is a vessel with four horizontal belts having
engraved star constellation symbols. These constellations refer directly to the exchange of
single seasons, and each belt represents one season. The Calendar of Vučedol dates as far
as about 2600 years B.C. So far Stonehenge has been regarded as the oldest known
European calendar built sometimes between 2200 and 1600 B.C. The other oldest world
44
45
Polishing the surface of a clay vessel with cloth, leather or stone pebble
Cutting the surface around a motif in order to make it a relief.
245
Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
calendars, like the Mesopotamian and Egyptian were made approximately at the same time
as the Calendar of Vučedol.
The culture of Nakovani appeared on the
substratum of the Croatian culture influenced by the
culture of Vinčan (the culture of Vinčan spread along
the rivers Drina and Neretva). It has got its name after
the cave and locality Nakovani on the peninsula
Pelješac. The culture of Nakovani is characterized by
the dark ceramic dishes decorated by canelires46.
Fig. 2. “The Orion of Vučedol”
The culture of Nakovani appeared on the substratum of the Croatian culture
influenced by the culture of Vinčan (the culture of Vinčan spread along the rivers Drina
and Neretva). It has got its name after the cave and locality Nakovani on the peninsula
Pelješac. The culture of Nakovani is characterized by the dark ceramic dishes decorated by
canelires47.
2.1.5. Bronze Age
The bronze appeared around 3000-2000 B.C. in South-western Asia and at the
Mediterranean, and in our area around 1800 B.C. It was used for the production of tools,
weapons, dishes and other objects. Apart from bronze, gold and tin were also used.
Searching for and discovering ores, organising their exploration, processing and trading
with raw material and semi products, skills of casting bronze – all that required specialized
craftsmen. In the Bronze Age the majority of artistic works were made in bronze,
significantly less in gold, and the expression in ceramics were pushed into the background.
The Bronze Age is divided into the early, middle and older Bronze Age.
Early Bronze Age lasted from about 2300 till approximately 1600 B.C. The
interests in production and artistic expression moved in the early Bronze Age from
producing ceramics to casting bronze. But the ceramics continued to be produced on a
massive scale. The novelty in the early copper age was also the production of golden
jewellery. It can be found at the localities Bilje near Osijek, Orolik near Vinkovci and at
the localities in the surroundings of Zagreb. Along with the jewellery there were also
various bronze weapons found, like all kinds of daggers (mostly with triangle cutting
edges) and daggers on sticks. The sites where early bronze weapons were found are Garica
on the island Krk and Živaja near Obrovac. The ceramics continued to have important role
in the life of the people in the early bronze age. Unlike the Eneolithic and Neolithic, it was
of high quality production, and in its decoration the combination of all techniques applied
until then was used. In Grapčeva spilja (cave) on the island Hvar a lot of ceramics was
found from the early bronze age.
The Middle Bronze Age lasted from about 1600 till about 1300 B.C. At the
territory of eastern area among the rivers Sava, Danube and Drava there was a lot of
46
47
Longitudinal shallow groove.
Longitudinal shallow groove.
246
Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
distinctive and decorative ceramics found that was decorated with many ornaments (Darda
and Lug near Osijek, Kozarac and Batina near Beli Manastir). There were also the
gravesites found indicating the beginnings of the cemetery architecture (symbolically
decorated urns with a cover on the stone basis). Such sites were found in Dalj and Bijelo
Brdo near Vukovar.
The area of Lika at that time was open towards the Pannonian and the Carpathians
territory on side, and to the eastern Alpine and northern Italic area on the other side. Near
Lički Osik the site was found having eight graves into which the deceased were buried in a
simple vault. The cemetery in the cave Bezdanjača near Vrhovine dates from the end of the
middle bronze age. Gospić is also one of the middle bronze age sites.
The erection of fortified construction objects - castellieres48 started at the territory
of Istria (Gradina on Veliki Brijun and Monkodonja near Rovinj). The site Mali sv. Anđeo
near Poreč is the oldest sites of sacral architecture discovered so far. The ceramic industry
is focused on modelling a handle. The site Gradina Vrčin near Vodnjan belongs also to the
middle bronze age.
The Late Bronze Age lasted from about 1300 till around 750 B.C. At that time a
great technological advance was achieved. The bronze metallurgy reached its highest point
in the European prehistory. Trade and cultural connections were developed with the most
remote areas. A new way of burying into simple earth urns was developed. The cult of the
Sun was worshipped (almost every artefact has got a symbol of the Sun). At the sites from
that time the archaeologists have found weapons, clothes (tin belts), cast jewellery, bronze
wire jewellery with the one in the form of a fiddle-stick being the most famous one (Fig.
3), amber pearls, votive pendants etc. The Late Bronze Age is rich with sites thanks to
treasure hoards49. The localities from that period are: Peklenica and Gajina pećina near
Drežnik at the river Korana, Dolina na Savi
near Nova Gradiška, Plitvice, Picugi near
Poreč, Pričac at the river Sava near Požega,
Bizovac, Nova Gradiška, Sisak, and Zagreb –
Vrapče. The sites from the Middle Bronze
Age that existed in the Late Bronze Age as
well are Bezdanjača near Vrhovine and the
fortress Vrčin near Vodnjan.
Fig. 3. A large votive fiddle-stick from the
Bronze Age found in Drežnik at the river Korana
2.1.6. Iron Age
The Iron Age at the territory of Croatia started around 750 B.C. and lasted until the
arrival of Roman civilisation. Apart from using iron in that period, the people developed a
new way of making war with a new type of warriors – cavalrymen. The first ethnic groups
appear. The period of the Iron Age is divided into Older and Younger Iron Age.
The Older Iron Age lasted approximately from 750 B.C. until around 300 B.C. At
the beginning only tools and weapons were made of iron.
The area of today’s Slavonia was exposed to various conquering activities, so many
sites were either destroyed or ruined. The exception is the site Dalj that used to a
48
49
Settlements with dray walls of towns (without connective material).
A pit of votive character.
247
Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
settlement at that time located on a high strategically very convenient Danube shore in the
northeastern Slavonia. Apart from that site, there are some other sites that have been
discovered in Slavonia: in Vukovar, Bogdanovci, Požega, Kaptol and Velika in Požeška
valley. In the northwestern part of the continental Croatia the localities Martijanec,
Goričani, Čakovec, Sisak and Petrinja have been found. At the most of these sites, the
horse equipment has been found, then askoses with zoo morphological handles, urns from
graves (Fig. 4), war equipment, jewellery, etc.
The first ethnic groups appear in the coastal part. Those
were the tribe communities of various Illyrian groups: the Delmats
from the river Neretva to the river Krka; the Liburnians, from the
river Krka to the river Raša in Istria; the Japodians, from the upper
river Kupa to the upper river Una and Histrians in Istria.
Fig. 4. The urn from the
“grave of the prince” with
a cover (Martijanec)
Important centres of the Histrians, in
cultural, economic, political and cult sense, were in
Nezakcije, Pula, Picugi and Berm. The Histrians
built their settlements at higher locations – hill-forts.
At their sites various situles, urns, ojnohoes50, have
been found, then various sculptures made of stone
presenting human figures (Fig. 5), etc.
Fig. 5. Anthropomorphic plastic from Nezakcije
The Illyrian tribe Japodi was very fond of decorating, so we can find a lot of
jewellery made of copper wire in the Japodian localities. Various head decorations with the
tin cap being the most famous one (Fig. 6) are especially remarkable. At the Japodian sites
there have been also metal clothes found, then styled bronze and clay anthropomorphic
figures, various objects made of amber, etc. So far discovered Japodian sites are Kompolje,
Smiljan, Drenov klanac and Prozor near Otočac, then Konjsko Brdo near Perušić, Tolić in
the Krbavsko field, Turska kosa and Kiringrad near Topusko, Vrebac near Gospić and
Belaj near Karlovac.
50
wine jugs
248
Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
Fig. 6. Japodian metal cap
The Liburnians were a leading sea and political power in the eastern Adriatic Sea in
the period of Early Iron Age, which was reflected in the rich development of their material
and spiritual culture. They have developed the skill of building quick, light and well-armed
ships. The sites of the Liburnians have been found in Nin, Zadar, Birbir, Danilo, Radovin
near Posedarje, Vinica, Kastav, Solin and Čikat on the island Mali Lošinj. Various askoses,
jewellery like necklaces, bracelets, pendants, fiddle-sticks etc., then pixides (Fig. 7), clay
statuettes have been found at the Liburnian sites.
The Delmatian sites have been found in Cavtat, Salona,
Žaganj and Viča Luka on the island Brač, Tor above Jelsa on the
island Hvar and Baška on the island Krk.
Fig. 7. The pixides found in Solin
The Younger Iron Age lasted from the 4th Century B.C. till the 1st Century after
Christ. In this period the Celts have penetrated into our area. They mixed with the people
they found. New Illyrian tribes appeared: the Ardennes, from Vojusa to Neretva; the
Kolapians on the river Sava and both coasts of the river Kupa, the Jasi between Varaždin
and Daruvar, the Beruci from Brod and the Bosnian area near the river Sava to Osijek; the
Celtic Scordiscians from Srijem and Mačva to Morava. The Illyrian tribes already
mentioned: the Japodians, Liburnians, Histrians and Delmatians existed also in the younger
Iron Age. Apart from goldsmith’s there were also the glass, fine ceramics workshops
developed, as well as mints. The usage of money developed (Fig. 8). The jewellery was
made mostly of silver and gold. The swords and other war equipment of high quality was
made as well. The sites originating from that period are in Slavonia Osijek, Dalj, Velika,
Privlaka, Vukovar and Sarvaš. Then the site Ribnjačka near Bjelovar was discovered. At
the territory of Lika there were Lički Ribnik near Gospić, Prozor and Trošmarija near
Ogulin found (Dimitrijević et al., 1988).
249
Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
Fig. 8. Celtic coins from the Iron Age
3. PRODUCTION OF GIS
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric time at the territory of Croatia is
made by means of the program OCAD. The advantage of OCAD is that any object drawn
in this program can be connected with the database. The database can be used in producing
the maps intended for internet users and has the functions connected with finding the
objects and linking the data. OCAD has its own driver for dBASE tables. It is also possible
to make such tables or change their structure (Župan 1998).
Fig. 9. Production of a group of data according to historical periods
The procedure of producing Internet maps (OIM-Ocad Internet Maps) selecting the
functions “Find” and “Link” is very simple and does not require any special skills.
First the database is formed that requires previous careful and detailed planning,
because it is not very convenient to make changes later, which sometimes requires repeated
production. Archaeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic
of Croatia are classified in six basic prehistoric periods: the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic,
Neolithic, Eneolithic, Bronze and Iron Age (Fig. 9).
For every sign the following data are entered: ID (unique text or number), WWW
(veternica.html) presenting the link page containing additional data about the site or
locality, and TEXT being actually the name of the archaeological locality (Fig. 10).
250
Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
Fig. 10: Data for every sing on a map
After editing and composing an html page, i.e. after
connecting several bases (Palaelithic, Mesolithic…),
one can browse in a final version following the
historical periods (Fig. 11).
Fig. 11. Complete browsing page
The produced GIS gives also the data about the culture it belongs to apart from the
data about the position and prehistoric period of the site, then its major characteristics, site
significance, and the main artefacts (Fig. 12).
Fig. 12. A cut out
of a thematic map
OCAD can produce
Internet maps that
can be transferred
and retrieved very
quickly.
These
Internet
maps
consist of a matrix
with small (10-30
KB) .gif raster data.
The function of
finding
some
objects can be added. One can also add links to objects of such a map to some other web
pages (Župan, Frangeš 2001, URL 1).
251
Frangeš S., Vučetić N., Župan R. (2002).
GIS of archeological sites from the prehistoric period at the territory of the Republic of Croatia.
In: D. Kereković (ed.). GIS Odyssey 2002. Geographical Information Systems. International Conference & Exhibition.
Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia,
University of Zagreb, University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Warsaw University of Technology, Zagreb, 240-252.
REFERENCES
Dimitrijević, S., Težak-Gregl, T., Majnarić-Pandžić, N. (1998): Prapovijest (Prehistory). Naklada Naprijed,
Zagreb.
Župan, R. (1998): Primjena programskog paketa OCAD u kartografiji (Application of Program Package
OCAD in Cartography). Seminar work, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Geodesy.
Župan, R., Frangeš, S. (2001): Peta godina OCAD-a u kartografskoj nastavi, Ekscentar, 4, 26-27.
URL 1: http://www.ocad.com
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