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The Istrian Peninsula is rich in mineral resources, primarily carbonate and siliceous sedimentary rocks, which are inextricably linked by a process called silicification. Due to their hardness and conchoidal fracture, siliceous sedimentary rocks (cherts) are very suitable for knapping tools, therefore the knowledge about the location of chert deposits was very important for prehistoric communities in Istria. In this paper, we will present basic data on primary and secondary chert deposits in the Croatian part of the Istrian Peninsula, visual and mechanical characteristics of the collected samples, as well as micropetrographic characteristics determined using a binocular polarizing microscope. We will present data on the geological age of the host rock in which cherts were recorded. We will mention the terminological issues in the archaeological literature and raise the issue of research into the provenance of Istrian chert, that is, the possibility of identifying the raw material from different deposits on the Peninsula. We will also mention the archaeological sites where the presence of Istrian raw materials was recorded. Artifacts and cores used to knap flakes and blades were also found and recorded on some of the surveyed chert deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resnik is the first underwater Paleolithic site in Croatia to be systematically investigated. The site is located in the Kaštela Bay in central Dalmatia which, like the rest of the Adriatic Basin, has undergone geomorphological changes caused, among other factors, by marine transgression. Sea level rise at the Pleistocene to Holocene transition destructively affected the Pleistocene strata and caused the submergence of the site. The lithic finds are typologically placed in the Mousterian culture, with the exception of a few finds belonging to the Upper Paleolithic. The paper presents the results of technological and typological analysis of findings collected by I. Svilan in Kaštela Bay and, for the first time, raw material analysis of lithic finds from systematic research but also from the collection of I. Svilan, which confirm that Neanderthals occupied Kaštela Bay during the Middle Paleolithic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of the spatial analysis of finds from the lower levels (complex E3 and levels E2 and E1) at the Mousterian site of Mujina pećina, Croatia. The horizontal spatial distribution of finds from level D2 is also included here since it contains the remains of two Mousterian hearths, which makes this level significant for the comparison with the lower levels. To increase the possibility of comparison of all levels at the site, particular segments of vertical dispersal of finds are also presented in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents fragments of silver jewelry from grave nos. 9 and 10 at Dragišic hillfort near Šibenik that were explored in 2001, and from grave n. 26 excavated in 2003. The jewelry consists of new finds of plate fibulae of the Liburnian type in the area of Southern Liburnia. The plate fibulae have been classified in two groups: plate fibulae and plate fibulae with serpentinelike features. The fibulae fragments from Dragišic presented in this paper possibly belong to versions nos. 3 and 4 dated to the period B of the last phase of the Liburnian Culture (2nd and 1st century BC). The finds of plate fibulae of the Liburnian type from coastal Croatia and Lika have been analysed, and the following sites have been added to their distribution map: Dragišic and Nezakcij in Istria. Dragišic hillfort is the southernmost site in coastal Croatia where plate fibulae of the Liburnian type have been found, while the northernmost site is Rijeka in Kvarner Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports on the activities and preliminary results of archaeological research of Middle Palaeolithic sites in Dalmatia and geological research consisting of drilling at potential sites. The activities were carried out within the framework of the second and third years of the research project Late Mousterian in the Eastern Adriatic - towards understanding of late Neanderthals' identity and their demise, funded by the Croatian Science Foundation. The fieldwork mostly focused on the continuation of excavation at Velika pećina in Kličevica and research at underwater Palaeolithic site of Kaštel Štafilić - Resnik, in addition to the test excavation of a site in the hinterland of Kaštela (Giljanovići/ Karanušići) and geological drillings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Early Iron Age necropolis of Gradci is part of a complex archaeological site in the vicinity of the municipality of Kaptol, near Požega (Croatia). In 2007, tumulus 13 was excavated and, on the basis of a typological analysis of the artefacts discovered, dated to period Ha C2/D1. In 2010, tumulus 14 was explored. That one has been dated to Ha C2, that is, to the second half of the 7th cent. BC. During the excavations, samples for archaeobotanical analysis were taken from both tumuli; this paper presents the results of that analysis. From tumulus 13, 140 carbonized plant remains were recovered. Predominant among them were various fruits gathered from the environment, with greatest presence of common hazel (Corylus avellana). In tumulus 14, 3880 carbonized plant remains were recorded. Predominant among them were various cereal species, with a noticeable proportion of ‘fruit' grave goods, primarily wild apples (Malus sylvestris). Grave goods of plant origin were undoubtedly very important in the Hallstatt grave ritual, but for a more precise reconstruction of the customs of the time we have to complete the ongoing analysis of finds from other tumuli within the same site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A segment of a Late Bronze Age settlement was researched at Podgajac-Glogovica site during 2009-2010 as part of a rescue excavation project on the Slobodnica - Donji Miholjac pipeline. Features dating from various periods beside the Late Bronze Age were recorded at the site, namely the Eneolithic, Late Iron Age and Late Middle Ages. Finds and features dating from the Late Bronze Age are elaborated in this paper. The settlement features include: two ditches, a surface structure and several refuse pits. The finds that were discovered during the excavations are common for this type of site (fragments of pottery vessels, metal objects). In addition to the more common finds, a large collection of casting moulds for bronze objects was discovered at the site. The late Bronze Age phase of the site can be dated to the earlier phase of The Late Bronze Age (Br D-Ha A) based on typo–chronological characteristics of recovered finds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports on the first year of research on the project Late Mousterian in the eastern Adriatic - towards understanding of late Neanderthals’ identity and their demise, financed by the Croatian Science Foundation. Trial excavations were carried out in the Matetina pećina cave near Kaštela, field survey was conducted in the hinterland of Kaštela, and the investigations continued in Velika pećina cave in Kličevica and at the underwater Palaeolithic site of Kaštel Štafilić. New methods introduced within the project included documentation with 3D photography and investigation by Electrical Resistance Tomography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents molecular analysis of archaeological human remains from Zagajci near Belišće in Croatia. Bone sample from a single human cranium and two tooth samples obtained from teeth in a scanty "set" of remains found in farther vicinity (all secondary finds) were employed in DNA typing. DNA was analysed for autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci and the amelogenin – sex typing locus. The aim was obtaining STR loci profiles in order to investigate possible molecular relatedness between examined materials. Another aim was molecular identification of unknown sex of an individual represented by scanty remains, and confirming of the sex of the individual whose skull was estimated female by morphology. We obtained either low/partial STR loci allelic profiles for tooth samples, or a complete STR loci dropout for a bone sample. There was a single allele (17) of the D3S1358 locus shared among tooth samples. However, molecular sex identification confirmed the presence of a female individual in a scanty "set" of remains in accordance with archaeological data. Major or complete loci STR allele dropout is suggestive of a severe DNA degradation. A complete allelic loci dropout in a bone sample is also suggestive of the lack of contamination with modern DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of the lithic analysis of chipped stone artefacts from a Starcevo culture site at Zadubravlje. Blanks for tool production (fl akes, blades and bladelets) were produced at the site itself, mostly on the surface, although pit 19 probably functioned as a working area. It was established that the blades were produced by indirect percussion. Predominant tools are pieces with partial retouch and those with one retouched edge. Geometric forms are also present, although in small percentage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an analysis of human remains from two medieval sites in continental Croatia: Crkvari and Kliškovac. To date, the remains of 121 persons (47 children, 27 women and 47 men) have been excavated from the two sites, and the remains of adult individuals (n=74) have been studied to determine the frequency and distribution of traumas. The average age of males in the analysed sample was 37.4 years, while the average age of females was 36.5 years. A total of 573 long bones were analysed. The overall frequency of trauma on postcranial bones was 2.8% (16/573). In 14 persons (8 females and 6 males), signs of antemortem trauma were observed, while in 6 individuals (4 women and 2 men) perimortem trauma were observed. All perimortem traumas were caused by sharp bladed weapon (probably a sword or battle knife). The overall frequency of cranial trauma was 16.7%. Similar to the postcranial traumas, among these traumas there were several perimortem injuries. A comparison with a number of osteological series from Croatia and other parts of the world shows that the Crkvari and Kliškovac sample is specific because of the high frequency of cranial traumas and the large number of perimortem fractures. Considered together, these results indicate that there was a high risk of interhuman violence at the analysed sites. The fact that four out of six persons with perimortem cuts were women suggests that the observed injuries may have been the results of violence committed by swiftly-moving armed marauding gangs, set on terrorising and looting the civilian population, rather than the results of armed clashes between two military groups. Further multidisciplinary research incorporating osteological, archaeological and historical analysis is necessary to confirm the results obtained from this sample, and to attempt to identify specific episodes of intentional violence that resulted in the observed traumas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]