engleski

Sacralization of the Salonitan rural landscape on the example of “Gradina in Uvodići”

The potentials of the archaeological site south- east of Klis, known as “Gradina in Uvodići”, have attracted the attention of archaeologists from the end of the 19th century at the latest. The site was partially excavated in the 1980s, but many questions were left unanswered, such as the most important one about the type, or character of the site. Scholarly works offer interpretations that it might be a hillfort settlement, sacral-residential complex, or center of local quarrying activities. Each of these theses was supported by strong indications, but without firm evidence ; a wall segment built in the megalithic technique supports the hillfort thesis, as for the sacral variant there is a votive inscription dedicated to Jupiter, engraved in solid rock, known for some time, and the last proposition is based on stone extraction remains at the site in the recognizable Roman-era technique (horizontal rows and separation trenches) and small quarries in the vicinity. Detection of a “new” Roman-era epigraphic monument which can definitely be related to “Gradina” sheds new light on this issue. It is a votive altar offering information about an association in charge of the site, implying its pronounced sacral importance. In addition to interpretation of the inscription, the paper presents arguments against the theses about the hillfort settlement and quarry.

“Gradina”, hillfort settlement, quarry, votive altar, pagus, magistra

nije evidentirano