Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.21857/mzvkpt3d39
Micromorphological analysis of the prehistoric hillforts in the Municipality of Vrsar–Orsera: soil as archive of human activity
Katarina Gerometta
orcid.org/0000-0002-9601-4911
; Sveučilište Jurja Dobrile u Puli, Filozofski fakultet, Pula, Hrvatska
Sažetak
During the Bronze Age, the area of the Municipality of Vrsar–Orsera was characterised
by a network of hillfort settlements. Within the municipality, six sites – Vrsar,
Jugovac, Monte Ricco, Mukaba, Gradina, and St. George (Sv. Juraj) – have previously
been identified and interpreted in the literature as hillforts, while an additional site,
Glavica, was newly identified in 2017 through LiDAR analysis. This paper presents the
first application of archaeological soil micromorphology as regards prehistoric hillforts
in Istria, focusing on the hillfort settlements of the Municipality of Vrsar–Orsera. The
interpretation of these sites also draws on LiDAR survey data and fieldwork results,
providing insight into settlement morphology and size, as well as enabling more precise
dating. The sites of Monte Ricco, Mukaba, and Glavica were subjected to micromorphological
sampling. The hillfort locations were deliberately selected to ensure visual
control over communication routes, coastal zones, and key economic resources, including
the entrance to the Lim Bay. Micromorphological analyses of archaeological layers
reveal that soils are largely anthropogenic in origin following site abandonment, formed
and modified through long-term and repeated human activities. This is evidenced by
the abundant presence of amorphous organic matter, biogenic voids, and frequent anthropogenic
components such as pottery fragments, bone, and charcoal. Comparative
micromorphological data highlight differences in the intensity and character of human
occupation between sites. At Glavica, anthropogenic indicators are weakly developed,
suggesting shorter or less intensive occupation. In contrast thereto, samples from Mukaba
and Monte Ricco display a strong anthropogenic signal, indicating prolonged and
intensive settlement.
Ključne riječi
hillforts; the Bronze Age; Istria; soil micromorphology; LiDAR.
Hrčak ID:
346598
URI
Datum izdavanja:
24.4.2026.
Posjeta: 0 *