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Journal of Dalmatian archaeology and history, Vol. 115 No. 1, 2023.

Original scientific paper

Greek Fortifications and Rural Settlement at the Tor Site above Jelsa on the Island of Hvar1

Miroslav Katić

Full text: croatian pdf 624 Kb

page 189-212

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Full text: english pdf 624 Kb

page 189-212

downloads: 52

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Abstract

The article discusses the archaeological site of Tor above
Jelsa, where a square Greek tower is situated leaning against a
prehistoric mound. The developmental phases of the site are
described. The first is the so-called limit tumulus, which had
a cultic role; in the second phase, a wall is erected on its southern
side; and in the third, a tower is built in front of the mound.
The author believes the second phase wall protected the
Greek rural settlement oriented towards the Jelsa Plain (Jelšansko
polje) and the central hilly area of the island of Hvar. A
similar method of fortifying an Illyrian mound with a megalithic
wall can be found in Daorson (Gradina in Oštanići near
Stolac). The tower on the Tor hill, together with the older rampart
wall built on the southern side of the limit tumulus, was
connected to a unified fortification complex dating from midto-
the second half of the 4th century BCE. After the foundation
of Pharos, its chora was organised in today’s Stari Grad Plain,
while a Greek rural settlement, important for the economic
life of the colony, was established on the edge of the hilly area
in the central part of the island of Hvar.

Keywords

Greek tower of Tor, Purkin Kuk, limit tumulus, cult mound, Hillfort in Ošanići, Pharos, Greek rural settlement, Greek fortification.

Hrčak ID:

344325

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/344325

Publication date:

1.12.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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