During the archaeological digs at the Gomila site, nestled in the town of Zakotorac on Croatia’s Pelješac peninsula, researchers unearthed quite the find: a Greco-Illyrian helmet tucked away in a masonry annex near the tombs, clearly intended for ceremonial purposes.
This helmet marks the second of its kind discovered at the site. The previous one was linked to a tomb stocked with iron weaponry, likely belonging to a warrior.
Since the start of these excavations, alongside a trove of jewelry, clothing, and burial trinkets, this discovery significantly enriches our understanding of the funeral customs of Illyrian communities in the latter part of the first millennium BCE. It firmly establishes Pelješac as a pivotal archaeological hub along the Adriatic’s eastern coast.
Interestingly, the first helmet, dating back to the 4th century BCE, contrasts with the latest find from the 6th century BCE, hinting at a nuanced timeline of ancient craftsmanship and societal influence. The rarity of such helmets in archaeological contexts makes their discovery all the more remarkable, especially finding two distinct Greco-Illyrian styles in the same locale.
Professor Hrvoje Potrebica from the University of Zagreb’s Archaeology Department remarks on the significance: The coexistence of two distinct helmet types at this site speaks volumes about the enduring power dynamics within each community. These helmets have always symbolized status and authority.
The archaeological team, led by Dr. Domagoj Perkić from the Archaeological Museum in Dubrovnik, along with curators Paula Knego and Vicenco Pijerov, collaborates with colleagues from various institutions, including the City Museum of Korčula, the Dolenjski Museum in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, and the Academy of Arts in Split, showcasing a collective effort to unravel the mysteries of Zakotorac’s past on Pelješac.
Coordinated by the Center for Prehistoric Research, this multi-faceted endeavor underscores the interdisciplinary nature of archaeological exploration, merging insights from the Faculty of Philosophy’s Department of Archaeology in Zagreb, the Institute of Archaeology, and the Museums of Dubrovnik.
Sources
- Share this article:
Middle Ages
The Turbulent Life of Andronicus I Comnenus, who Managed to Become Emperor by Escaping after 12 Years in Captivity
It’s tough to imagine a life more turbulent and extravagant than that of Andronicus Comnenus,…
Second World War
Mikhail Devyatayev, the Soviet Prisoner who Staged a World War II Escape by Stealing a German Aircraft
The city of Kazan, capital of the Republic of Tatarstan (Russia), has a medieval historic…
Middle Ages
How the Republic of Venice was Born within the Byzantine Empire as a Defense Against the ‘Barbarians’
As it’s known, the Most Serene Republic of Venice, that mighty maritime state born in…
Geography
Australia’s Highest Peak is in a Remote Place in the Indian Ocean, between Madagascar and the Antarctic
In the southernmost reaches of the Indian Ocean, nearly 2,500 nautical miles (4,700 kilometers) southwest…
Ancient Rome
Only One Vexillum, the Roman War Standard, has Survived to the Present Day
The word vexillology, which names the discipline that studies flags, derives from the Latin term…
Modern Era
The Story of the Cullinan, the World’s Largest Diamond, whose Discovery was Anticipated by Jules Verne in his Novel ‘The Southern Star’
Jules Verne had an extraordinary visionary ability. “From the Earth to the Moon” anticipated the…
Stone Age Archaeology
Oldest Incised Bone Found in Northern Europe Demonstrates Early Cognitive Abilities of Neanderthals
A bear radius fragment with seventeen incisions (one of them incomplete) was excavated in the…
Classical Archaeology
Villa Where Emperor Augustus Passed Away Unearthed at Somma Vesuviana
Archaeologists from the University of Tokyo have found on the northern slopes of Mount Vesuvius…
Science
Edward Emerson Barnard, the greatest observational astronomer in history
The 85th episode of The Sopranos, from its sixth season, is titled “Blue Comet” because…
Classical Archaeology
Long Roman Colonnaded Avenue Uncovered in Antalya
During the restoration and improvement works carried out by the municipality of Antalya (formerly Atalea,…
Bronze Age Archaeology
Rare Minoan Bronze Mirror from 3300 Years Ago Found at Hala Sultan Tekke Site in Cyprus
Researchers have found a Minoan bronze mirror in an intact Late Bronze Age tomb at…
Archaeology
Paleontologists Find a Marine Reptile More than 25 Meters Long, the Largest Known Ichthyosaur
A team of researchers, led by Dean R. Lomax from the University of Bristol and…
Loading...
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
