Ancient Greek Settlement with Massive Rampart in Croatia Dated to 1500 BC

Archaeologists performing excavations in the village of Stobreč along Croatia’s Adriatic Sea coast unearthed ruins from a settlement that was first occupied approximately 3,500 years ago, and remained so for thousands of years after that. The Greek version of his village was known as Epetium in the ancient past, and while excavations were first launched there more than five decades ago this is the first evidence uncovered to show the settlement was founded so long ago, during the Middle Bronze Age.

During these extensive excavations, which were carried out in anticipation of an upcoming construction project, a team of archaeologists led by Dr. Marina Ugarković from Croatia’s Institute of Archaeology in Zagreb explored multiple layers at the site of the ancient settlement. This was done in part to see just how long ago Epetium/ Stobreč might have been settled, and the lowest layer to produce signs of human occupation suggest its origins date back to around 1500 BC. This is much earlier than previously believed, which is why the latest discoveries are considered so significant by the Croatian archaeological community.

An aerial view of the ancient Greek rampart. (Croatia’s Ministry of Culture and Media)

A Greek Wall in the Ancient City of Epetium

The most spectacular structure unearthed during the latest digs included the full span of a surprisingly well-preserved Greek rampart or defensive wall, which was split into two separate sections that were 230 feet (70 meters) long in total and 10 feet (three meters) high. This structure is estimated to be more than 2,000-years-old and is notable for its unique L-shape. The longer side of the rampart is somewhat asymmetrical, while the shorter side that extends to form the bottom of the L is comprised of five rectangular formations placed end to end.

A close-up view of the ancient rampart during excavations. (Croatia’s Ministry of Culture and Media)

Actually, this discovery was only one of the many that were made during the latest round of excavations. As they dug through many layers of bedrock the archaeologists unearthed ruins and structures from a wide variety of historical periods, beginning in the Bronze Age and continuing through the Hellenistic and Roman periods and on into late antiquity and the early Middle Ages. All of these discoveries were fresh and new, as the new excavations explored the site of the ancient settlement of Epetium more extensively than anyone had in the past.

“These are impressive archaeological findings, including a Greek wall approximately 70 meters long, with some sections reaching a depth of more than three meters,” archaeologist Dr. Marina Ugarković from the Institute of Archaeology stated in a Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media press release.

According to Dr. Ugarković, the excavated structure is the best-preserved Greek wall ever found in Croatia, where there was a Greek presence that lasted from prehistorical times through the second century BC.

Before explorations began in Stobreč in the late 1960s, the only thing archaeologists and ancient historians knew about ancient Epetium came from written references in historical sources. Only now do they finally know just how long ago the community was formed, which was quite long ago indeed.

Multiple layers of history have been uncovered at the site. (Croatia’s Ministry of Culture and Media)

A Brief History of Stobreč, and What Came Before

The peaceful and picturesque village of Stobreč is located near the city of Split, about 250 miles (400 kilometers) south of Croatia’s capital city of Zagreb. It was officially formed as a Greek outpost in approximately 200 BC (apparently on top of an earlier settlement), as one of several Greek colonies that were created on Croatian and Italian land starting around the fourth century BC.

The Greek presence in the region had a profound influence on the development of ancient Croatia’s culture, just as it had elsewhere. The influences were felt in architecture, trade, agriculture, and culture, and even when the area was taken over by the Romans in the second century BC the Greek imprint remained strong.

Under Roman authority, it seems the village reached the peak of its prosperity as a trading center. Since the lands of Croatia were only separated from the Italian Peninsula by the narrow band of the Adriatic Sea, it was inevitable that the Romans would invade the territory and incorporate the surrounding area into their burgeoning empire.

In the modern age, Stobreč has been transformed into a resort town known for its beautiful beaches and amazing scenery. But it is also recognized as an archaeological hotspot, and one that has secrets to reveal that date back not just for centuries, but for millennia.

A Collaborative Effort to Preserve a Sensitive Heritage

In 2012, Dr. Marina Ugarković carried out some explorations at the site of the new discoveries, in a location where the outlines of the Greek wall had been found during earlier excavations in 1969 and 1973. But it was only when the area was threatened by upcoming construction projects that a more extensive excavation was ordered, on the authority of the Split Conservation Department.

The importance of the new discoveries at the site were emphasized during a presentation given by Minister Obuljen Koržinek from the Split Conservation Department.

“We have been studying the issue for months, and collaborators from the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Zagreb, along with the Conservation Department and the Archaeological Museum, are continuously supervising the research, as everyone agrees that it is an extremely interesting site,” she said. “Taking into account the archaeological wealth, we present an example that will allow better, self-evident protection of such extremely valuable sites, especially in urban areas.”

Excavations are expected to continue in Stobreč, with all construction put on hold until they can be completed.

Top image: An aerial view of the ancient Greek rampart. Source: Croatia’s Ministry of Culture and Media

By Nathan Falde