Pregledni rad
https://doi.org/10.33254/aia.21.1.13
An Olynthus mill from Kaštelir above Korte near Izola (southwestern Slovenia)
Monika Zorko
; Department & Institute of Archaeology and Heritage, Faculty of Humanities, University of Primorska
*
Andrej Preložnik
; Institute of Archaeology and Heritage, Faculty of Humanities, University of Primorska
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Kaštelir above Korte is situated in the immediate coastal hinterland of northwestern Istria. It is one of the largest and most important Istrian hillforts, a status confirmed by its longevity: finds spanning from the Late Neolithic to the early Roman period have been discovered there. During research in 2009, two fragments of grain grinding tools were recovered. Their pronounced vesicular structure indicates they were made of volcanic rock, a material not found in the immediate vicinity; macroscopic examination suggests a probable origin in Sicily. Based on the morphology of both pieces, we conclude that they are the remains of the lower and upper stones of a hand mill with a hopper – specifically, a rectangular Olynthus mill, a typical Hellenistic quern type. Such mills have been identified on the eastern Adriatic coast, notably in Greek settlements on Vis and in central Dalmatia. Conversely, fragments of mills made of similar material, which may also belong to this type, have been documented at hillforts in the hinterland of both Dalmatia and Istria. The use of Olynthus mills is a clear indicator of contact between indigenous communities and the Greeks, as this imported form was distributed via long-distance overseas trade. Their signifi cance is heightened by the fact that they are distinctly practical everyday objects rather than luxury items.
The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency for the “Osor beyond the Myth (N6-0292)” project.
Ključne riječi
hopper-rubber mill; Olynthus mill; volcanic rock; Greek import; Hellenistic period; indigenous communities; Kaštelir above Korte; Istria and Dalmatia
Hrčak ID:
342677
URI
Datum izdavanja:
30.12.2025.
Posjeta: 589 *