Original scientific paper
The late ancient fortress Kaštio in Polače on the island of Mljet
Miroslav Katić
; Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, Split, Croatia
Abstract
The Kaštio fortress, dating back to the late ancient period, is situated on the hill of Brakova glavica in Polače on the island of Mljet, from where it controlled the entire area of the Polače bay and a part of the channel of Mljet. Recent archaeological excavations have unveiled ramparts descending from the corners of the tower, located at the top of the hill, down the slope and in alignment with the terrain’s configuration. The fortress protected an area of 380 m² and had an entrance facing northeast. A shorter path connected it to the late ancient palace that was located about a hundred meters away on the sea shore. An archaeological trench was excavated inside the tower, where a layer of ash, resulting from the burning of the structure, was discovered at its bottom, as well as an iron trilobate arrowhead within it, indicating a violent destruction of
the tower. The fortress was destroyed in the 7th century, as determined by the radiocarbon analysis of the coal from this layer.
Keywords
Mljet; Polače; late ancient fortress; late ancient palace; trilobate arrowhead
Hrčak ID:
316999
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2023.
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