Histria antiqua, Vol. 21 No. 21, 2012.
Preliminary communication
Underwater Archaeological Investigations in the Waters off the Vižula Peninsula in 2011
Igor MIHOLJEK
; Hrvatski restauratorski zavod Odjel za podvodnu arheologiju N. Grškovića 23 10000 Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Underwater archaeological investigations in the waters off the Vižula peninsula near Medulin conducted in
2011 are the continuation of investigations initiated in 1995, when eight archaeological units were recorded and
marked with letters from A to H. We are dealing here with an ancient complex, a luxurious maritime villa with
not only luxurious facilities, but also production facilities and a port. Over the years, most of the facilities have
been documented both as drawings and geodesic blueprints. In addition, several facilities have been investigated
with the use of archaeological probes. The probes have yielded material which has been dated from the 1st to the
5th centuries AD.
This year, investigations have been conducted on facilities A, D and H. Units A and D are located in a tidal zone
and are thus those mostly exposed to devastation, sea waves and careless swimmers. Based on the architectural
remains, we can suppose that facility A was probably a thermae complex, while we are certain that facility D was
a cistern with several other rooms whose purpose still remains unknown. Investigations regarding facility H are
in their initial phase, and we still do not have a clear picture of the unit’s use. This facility is located at a depth of
1.5 m, and for now we know that it is more than 120 m long extending in a straight line. This construction could
possibly have been a road running from the Vižula peninsula to the mainland, but it could also have been a sort
of a dam which prevented the penetration of the sea towards a natural isthmus and the gravesite of Burle. In any
case, further investigations will continue, and it has been decided that other professions should be included with
the aim of obtaining a complete picture of the ancient complex on the Vižula peninsula through interdisciplinary
investigations.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
104360
URI
Publication date:
1.8.2012.
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