Successful volunteer programme “Archaeological associate”

Successful volunteer programme “Archaeological associate”

From 4–13 July 2022, archaeological research was conducted in the area of the Roman military camp Klanac above Roški Slap. The camp was previously documented using airborne laser scanning technology. The research was led by Joško Zaninović, art conservator Frederik Levarda and volunteer coordinator Doris Banić, with a total of 17 volunteers taking part in the programme.

An analysis of the data obtained identified positions at which archaeological topography was seen under the vegetation cover, which could be interpreted as the remnants of Roman military camps or other military infrastructure. Based on these results, the most suitable sites were selected for the next phase of geophysical research (using a magnetometer), and those results enabled the experts to hone in on the best localities to conduct archaeological research.

The archaeological research confirmed the existence of a Roman military camp at that site. The camp was confirmed by the documented segment of the walls and entrance. The wall was raised in the dry-stone wall technique and was likely an additionally reinforced palisade. It is interrupted in several places with a semi-circular recess, to form the characteristic gateway shape (claviculaclavicula, meaning little key). Digs at the site of one of these gateways found archaeological artefacts that further confirm that this was a Roman military camp: a fibula (broach) made from copper alloy, the base of a spear made from iron, and iron rivets from military sandals (caligaecaligae). These finds have been dated to the latter half of the 1st century BC, and therefore the entire Roman camp can be preliminarily dated to this same period.

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