Numerical simulation of a sinking ship scenario based on archaeological records

Over the past decade, photogrammetric recording and virtual 3D modelling have evolved as a standard practice in documenting shipwreck sites. Exploiting the same methods, we can attempt to virtually reconstruct the dynamics of an accident leading to the creation of an archaeological site. By applying modern engineering tools capable of deploying multi-body system dynamics to simulate the damaging, capsizing and/or sinking of a ship, we can model and analyse the various possible scenarios of an incident occurring to an ancient merchantman. Subsequently, we can establish the correlation between the characteristics of the actual shipwreck site, and the outcome of the numerical simulation of the assumed scenario.

Ceramic finds from the Byzantine fort of Gradina on the island of Žirje

Repeated excavations of the area of the early Byzantine fort on Žirje, an island in the Šibenik archipelago, resulted in recovery of a substantial amount of movable finds, predominantly pottery. Most finds date to the period of Justinian's reconquista in the mid-6th century when the fort was used, but there are also some artifacts of earlier or later dating (Iron Age, Hellenistic and early Imperial periods; medieval and postmedieval periods) whose presence is explained by continuous strategic importance of the fort position. Late antique material has been analyzed comprehensively in terms of typology. Dating and provenance contexts of the finds have also been determined. Presence of pottery from the main production centers that supplied the eastern Adriatic at the time has been attested. This refers in particular to the north African and Aegean-eastern Mediterranean area providing fine tableware and kitchen pottery, lamps and various forms of amphorae. On the other hand, participation of local workshops in supply of the Byzantine soldiers stationed in Gradina probably relates to prevailing forms of kitchenware.

Implementation of the ProHeritage project in 2018 and 2019

The paper presents information on the implementation of the project Cultural Landscape – a Model of Valorisation, Protection, Management and Use of Cultural Heritage - ProHeritage (UIP-2017-05-2152) in 2018 and 2019. The project is carried out in the area of the municipality of Jasenice and the town of Obrovac. It encompasses a segment of southern and southeastern Velebit and western part of Bukovica. The aim of the project is valorisation of cultural and archaeological heritage at the landscape level, in contrast to the model focused on monuments as a dominant approach in Croatia. Research area represents a test area for developing models of work for valorisation of landscape as a heritage resource.

Dardania in late Antiquity

Late Antiquity, known as a transitory phase between Antiquity and the Middle Ages that encompasses the 4th-6th centuries, was characterized by major historical events that led not only to political and administrative changes, but also social, cultural and religious changes. This paper will elaborate the impact of these changes in the province of Dardania, of which the central territory corresponds to today’s Kosovo, with a specific focus on the spread of Christianity and Christian architecture and changes in settlement patterns, as people moved from field settlements to hillforts. Moreover, it will present architectural features and the role of fortifications in Late Antiquity.

The Roman port of Ancona during the Trajanic era

During the Trajanic era, Ancona was one of the greatest ports of the Western Adriatic. Scholars have so far considered its remains from a limited historical and topographic perspective. This paper explores the Roman port of Ancona during the Imperial period, through a multidisciplinary examination of literary, archaeological and epigraphic sources. This paper investigates the scale, capacity and urban setting of Ancona’s port. Using topographic observations and excavation data, the first section summarises the form and development of the port and identifies its recurring elements, including the quay, mole(s), lighthouse, horrea, etc. The second section investigates the agents and sponsorships responsible for the construction of Ancona’s port. The third section examines the capacity of the port. Using epigraphic, statistical and shipwreck data, it assesses the capacity of the port, by analysing berth widths and the mooring and manoeuvring of ships. The fourth section explores its urban setting and makes a case for the practical and monumental characters of the port. Supporting information on the port topography and epigraphic and archaeological data are presented in the Table.

Terenski pregled krške zaravni na području Jasenica i Obrovca

The paper presents a study conducted by applying the method of archaeological field surveying. The survey was conducted on the Dinara mountain karst of the Jasenice and Obrovac areas. It defines the formation processes and the archaeological potential of the surveyed area. In addition, it discusses the applied methodology and its suitability for karst relief. It further presents the main characteristics of archaeological sources on karst terrain and categorises them by taking into account the material features and processes of Dinaric karst. The empirical data collected during the surveying are presented in chronological order.

Beriš kod Ljubuškog (zapadna Hercegovina) – primjer mikroneolitičkog nalazišta

The paper presents results of the excavations conducted in 2016 at the Neolithic site of Beriš near Ljubuški (western Herzegovina). The site is characterized by modest spatiality, thin deposit, scarce settlement remains, as well as typical lithic and ceramic finds of the Middle Neolithic that in their structure illustrate all kinds of activities characteristic of spatially much bigger sites of residential character. Starting from these premises the paper discusses cultural and relative chronological dimension of the site, its specific traits among other synchronous sites and importance of a micro-site within the Neolithic as a whole in the region of the eastern Adriatic and its hinterland.

Starokršćanske staklene svjetiljke

Glass lamps are important element of Early Christian material culture. They are almost inevitable part of liturgical furnishings of church interiors from the second half of the fourth century onwards. Their significance is attested by numerous historical sources and visual depictions. They are common find in the churches and necropolae where they can have simbolic meaning also. Their typology can be divided into five basic forms: cup/bowls (Uboldi I), conical lamps (Uboldi II), lamps with base knob (Uboldi III), funnel-shaped lamps (Uboldi IV), chalice-shaped lamps (Uboldi V), mostly dated from the end of the 4th century to the 8th century. Glass lamps consisted of glass vessels filled with water and oil layer with a floating wick which could be made of flax or cotton fibres or obtained from some other plant fibres. They represented a technological advancement in comparison to clay and metal oil lamps since oil and water, together with transparent vessel, enabled much stronger light with the same amount of used oil. In addition to glass parts, elements of lighting device also comprised wick holders and metal elements (monocandela and polycandela) that enabled suspension of lamps.

Podmorski nalazi u Mulinama na otoku Ugljanu

The article deals with underwater archaeological finds discovered in front of a complex of outhouses in Muline in the north-western part of the island of Ugljan. The finds include mostly pottery fragments and some glass collected during brief archaeological trial trenching conducted in 1997. The majority of fragments are amphora shards, but fragments of fine sigillata as well as coarse kitchenware were also found, along with several tegulae fragments, two oil lamp fragments and a whorl. Unfortunately, a large number of finds cannot be typologically classified, as they represent amphora belly and body fragments that do not provide sufficient data for more detailed classification. The paper presents only part of the specimens which it was possible to classify with certainty. Their classification determines the time frame to which the entire Antiquity and Late Antiquity complex belongs.

Inventar nalaza i višefazno groblje uz utvrdu Sokol u Konavlima

This paper presents the results of the archaeological excavations conducted next to Fort Sokol in Konavle in 2012 and 2013, as well as the results of the anthropological analysis and radiocarbon (14C) dating. The site of Sokol has a long occupation continuity starting from prehistory until the Early Modern Period. The excavation of the area adjoining the fort was divided into four big probes, the one next to its southern side being the most complex. Multiphase cemetery is located along the southern and eastern side of the fort, with a smaller number of graves along its northern side. All probes revealed deep layers formed in earthquakes that were common in the Dubrovnik region. In addition to graves and architecture remains, these layers contained stone boulders that fell off the fort in earthquakes and an abundance of diverse finds dating to a broad time span, from prehistory to the Modern Period. The fort was deserted in 1672. Anthropological analysis encompassed all recovered skeletal remains from preserved grave units regardless of the state of preservation, whereby the remains of 92 individuals were identified, of which 57 adults and 35 children. Analysis of osteological material also documented pathological changes developed antemortem. Radiocarbon (14C) dating was applied on skeletal remains resulting in chronological range from the 5th to the 19th century. The same method was used for dating carbonized almonds that were dated to the Early Iron Age (750 – 400 cal BC).