Original scientific paper
Utilisation of karst doline in Central Dalmatia in prehistory
Ivan Šuta
; Muzej grada Kaštela, Dvorac Vitturi
Abstract
Karst dolines are natural depressions of lesser dimensions, typical for karst areas. Archaeological finds in dolines are found in the wider east-Adriatic karst area more and more frequently. The paper, based upon results of rescue excavations in Vučevica, a village in the closer hinterland of Kaštela, analyses utilisation of dolines in the prehistory, especially during the Aeneolithic and the Early Bronze Age. The excavations carried on in Vučevica included two dolines at the locality of Kovačina, below Gradina Hill. In both dolines have been found remains dated to a period between mid Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. In the Neolithic and the Aeneolithic the dolines where used as seasonal settlements, whereas in the Early Bronze Age they made settlements organised below the nearby hill fort. Two mounds at the Matijin dolac locality contained ceramic vessel fragments belonging to the Cetina Culture. Two more mounds have been excavated at the Vlake locality, the one at the very edge of the doline containing typical Cetina Culture ceramic artefacts. Field surveys of the surrounding areas of Dalmatian Hinterland (Dalmatinska zagora) yielded further cases of locating of mounds next to dolines, that indicates they were used at the time. In dolines, herdsmen seasonal settlements were formed, mostly because most dolines of steeper edges made practical natural cattle pens. Besides, in dolines were also created ponds - artificial water reservoirs that, until recently, were of utmost importance to living in the karts areas. Certain hill-fort settlements in the area were also connected with dolines, used as the hill forts' wider areas, or where ponds were created. According to the results of excavating of dolines in the Central Dalmatian area, utilisation of dolines was intensified in the Aeneolithic and beginnings of the Early Bronze Age.
Keywords
karst depression; doline polje; Aeneolithic; Early Bronze Age; Cetina Culture; Posušje Culture; cattle breeding; grave mound; pond
Hrčak ID:
106483
URI
Publication date:
8.9.2013.
Visits: 3.899 *