Arheološki lokalitet Doljani-Dubine u općini Čapljina, Bosna i Hercegovina. Prilog istraživanju donjeg toka rijeke Neretve
Archaeological site Doljani – Dubine, municipality of Čapljina in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A contribution to the research of the lower course

Summary/Abstract: From 2009 to 2011, in the foothills of Gradina in Doljani, at a site Dubine in a municipality of Čapljina in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the remains of a larger ancient building have been investigated. During the investigation an interesting archaeological material was found which has confirmed the continuity of the settlement from prehistory to the Late Middle Ages. Especially important are early medieval graves dug into the remains of an ancient building. In total, 5 skeletal graves have been unearthed. Apart from the fact that these graves are the southernmost early medieval burials in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia as well, the graves pointed to a number of interesting features. Among them, graves 1 and 4 proved to be particularly significant. In the grave number 4, an adult female, in a half-sitting position, was buried directly into the ground. On the chest, between her hands, there was a ceramic vessel containing human osteological material: bones of an infant between 1,5 and 3 years old, as well as foot and hand bones of an adult. In addition, next to her, there were skeletal remains of two other infants less than two years old. At the foothills of Gradina in Doljani, municipality of Čapljina in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the ruins of a larger ancient building, early medieval graves were found. A total of 5 graves containing skeletal remains of five adults and of three children were excavated. Due to the wall of the ancient building, instead of eastwest what was the usual grave orientation at the time, the graves were oriented north-south with a head to the south. In addition, specific architectural interventions were noticed on the graves. On the north side where the feet were located, the grave number 2 was paved with stone slabs, fragments of tegulae, imbrices and amphorae. It was separated from the grave no. 3, which was mostly under it, by a layer of crushed stone and earth. These interventions on graves no. 3, 4 and 5 were related to the levelling of grave’s surfaces and a space next to the skull. Below the grave no. 3, bedrock was carved and bumps in graves 4 and 5 were levelled by earth, stone and ancient building material. As far as the skull area interventions are concerned, they are registered on graves no. 3, 4 and 5. In all three cases, there were larger or smaller stones mixed with fragments of tegulae stacked in semi-circle above the skulls to the shoulder level. Out of all excavated graves, the grave number 1 proved to be particularly interesting. In this grave, an adult female in a half-sitting position was buried next to the bedrock under a foundation of the ancient wall A, in a corner between it and a partition wall B. In her grave, there were also the skeletal remains of two infants less than two years old and a ceramic vessel, placed on her chest, containing foot and hand bones of an adult and bones of an infant between 1,5 and 3 years old.

• Details
• Contents