Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.17018/portal.2016.2
New Insights into the Defensive System Claustra Alpium Iularium: Results of Research Conducted within the Project Claustra – Stone Barriers of the Roman Empire
Josip Višnjić
; Hrvatski restauratorski zavod, Odjel za kopnenu arheologiju, Juršići, Hrvatska
Sažetak
The defensive system known as Claustra Alpia Iularium is one of the largest and most complex monuments of Late Antiquity in Croatia. This remarkably spacious defense zone stretches also into the territory of neighboring Slovenia. Its strategic importance at the time it was operating surpassed the local boundaries in much the same way as it does today. Unfortunately, the raising of public and even professionals’ awareness about the significance of this defensive system is – despite many centuries of interest for its remains and a century of research – still in its very beginning.
So it was with the aim of collecting new information about the system and developing public awareness of its importance that in 2015 the project Claustra – Stone Barriers of the Roman Empire was realized. This was an international project in which the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Slovenia took part as the leading partner, collaborating with the Croatian Conservation Institute, the National Museum of Slovenia, the Žmergo Association from Opatija and the Primorje–Gorski Kotar County. The project was financed by the IPA Croatia – Slovenia programme.
The cultural heritage of the Claustra Alpia Iularium system represents for us principally a spacious archaeological zone, and with few historical records it is the archaeological research that is our primary source of information on when the system originated and how it operated, as well as about the principle by which it functioned. It was for this reason that the Croatian Conservation Institute, among its other activities on the project conducted a series of archaeological investigations aimed at finding and documenting thus far unknown Portions of the system, defining the academic and research potential of this monument, and collecting information on its existing condition that are necessary in order to draw up a better conservation study and management plan. Because of its specific character, pertaining to a very large area it occupies and dense vegetation that covers it, in the course of research some contemporary non-destructive methods of documentation were used, such as LiDAR or GPR imaging, in addition to traditional archaeological methods such as probing or survey.
Thanks to the activities conducted, a most detailed image so far has been made of the remains of the defensive system; two thus far unknown defensive towers have been located, as well as a road that stretched across the valley of Mlaka, while another potential fortification has been located at the site of Deuce near Prezid. The research also confirmed that there is a great deal of questions yet to be answered, and pointed to a need for further research in order for us to better understand this complex defensive system.
In addition, the project confirmed and asserted the view that the whole system of Claustra should be seen as a single monument and treated uniformly across its entire spanning area. Therefore, it is important to carry on with the collaboration initiated by this project between the institutions in charge from both countries, and in the future include all relevant institutions, units of local government, organizations and individuals in order to be able to better manage the Claustra heritage through coordinated procedures and activities. This indeed is the only way for the public to begin appreciating the Claustra as a monument whose importance and manifold value far surpass our state or regional borders.
Ključne riječi
Late Antiquity; Rome; Claustra; defensive system; archaeological research
Hrčak ID:
171687
URI
Datum izdavanja:
28.12.2016.
Posjeta: 2.673 *