A remarkable discovery has emerged from the depths of the Tina Jama cave, located in the Karst region of northern Italy near the Slovenian border. Archaeologists from the University Ca’ Foscari of Venice, along with international collaborators, have uncovered a rare copper dagger dating back over 4,000 years to the Copper Age.
The dagger was found during a recent excavation campaign aimed at unraveling the complex history of the northeastern Adriatic region, spanning from about 9000 to 4000 years ago.
This extraordinary find was presented on October 23 in Trieste at the Palazzo Economo, the headquarters of the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for Friuli Venezia Giulia. The excavation project, conducted under the direction of Federico Bernardini, represents a joint effort between multiple institutions, including the Slovenian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Archaeology, the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, and the University of Siena.
The discovery of the copper dagger is especially significant given its age and rarity. Copper artifacts from this period, the late third millennium BCE, are not commonly found, particularly in caves. Dagger-like objects of this kind are usually associated with funerary contexts, raising intriguing questions about the cave’s use in ancient times. The find adds new depth to our understanding of the technological and cultural transformations that took place in Europe during this period.
The excavations at Tina Jama have also revealed stratified layers belonging to both the Bronze Age and the late Copper Age, providing invaluable insight into the cultural and social changes that occurred in the region. As noted by Elena Leghissa from the Slovenian Academy of Sciences, further excavations are expected to shed light on the relationships between various cultural groups present in the northeastern Adriatic during this time. These investigations are essential to understanding how different cultures interacted and influenced one another during the third millennium BCE.
The Copper Dagger and a Mysterious Stone Structure
Measuring just under 10 cm, the copper dagger features a leaf-shaped blade with a tang, a style that has few direct parallels in Italy. Interestingly, it closely resembles artifacts found in a lake dwelling site near Ljubljana, Slovenia, highlighting potential connections between the two regions. Such cross-cultural influences are key to understanding the broader prehistoric landscape of the northeastern Adriatic.
Alongside the dagger, archaeologists have uncovered ceramic remains, stone tools, and flint arrowheads. These findings suggest the cave was frequented by human groups for thousands of years. Evidence of a hearth and other materials, dating to the Cetina culture of the Dalmatian region, point to possible trade or cultural exchanges between Italy and the Balkans during the late Copper Age.
One of the most puzzling features uncovered during the excavation is a stone structure that appears to have blocked the cave entrance at some point between 2000 and 1500 BCE. The purpose of this structure is still unknown, though some researchers speculate it may have had funerary significance, as fragments of human skulls were found nearby. Another theory suggests the structure could have been erected to protect the cave from the region’s strong bora winds.
The discovery of the copper dagger, along with other ancient artifacts, marks a renewed interest in archaeological exploration in the Karst region after several decades of inactivity. The support of local landowners and farming communities has been instrumental in facilitating these new digs, which hold great promise for uncovering further details about life in the region during the Copper and Bronze Ages.
As archaeologists continue their work, the site at Tina Jama is expected to yield more exciting discoveries. The wealth of materials already found suggests that the cave was an important location for prehistoric human activity. Federico Bernardini and his team remain optimistic that ongoing excavations will reveal more about the long and complex history of this region.
SOURCES
- Share on:
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
A Magnetar of Unknown Origin, Capable of Destroying Atoms a Thousand Kilometers Away, Is Crossing the Milky Way
A rogue magnetar, named SGR 0501+4516, is crossing our galaxy without a clear trace of its birth, according to a study published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. This object,…
The Carthaginians Were Not Mostly Descended from Levantine Phoenicians, Reveals a Surprising Genetic Study
For centuries, the expansion of the Phoenician-Punic civilization across the Mediterranean was attributed to massive migrations. However, a recently published genetic study reveals that their success was largely due to…
A “Bestiarius” in York: The First Archaeological Evidence of Combat Between a Gladiator and a Lion in Roman Times
Bite marks found on a skeleton discovered in a Roman cemetery in York have revealed the first archaeological evidence of combat between a human and a lion in ancient Rome.…
The Abyss of Barnard 68, a Great Dark Spot in the Firmament
On the vast canvas of the cosmos, where starlight typically reigns supreme, there are regions in which darkness not only persists, but dominates. One of them is Barnard 68, a…
Evidence of Ancient Ritual to “Kill” the Dead and Destroy Their Tombs in a Final Feast 4,000 Years Ago Found in Crete
On the island of Crete, famous for its Minoan palaces and legends like the labyrinth of the Minotaur, an international team of archaeologists has discovered something even more intriguing: how…
Dry storms triggered by changes in solar radiation caused massive wildfires 8,200 years ago that spurred the birth of agriculture
A study led by Professor Amos Frumkin of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem sheds new light on one of humanity’s most significant turning points: the Neolithic Revolution. Published in the…
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Finds a Strange “Skull” Rock on Mars
NASA’s Perseverance rover continues its scientific journey across the surface of Mars, venturing into the lower region of ‘Witch Hazel Hill,’ located on the edge of Jezero Crater. During its…
How the Mongols Conquered All of the Holy Land, Then Withdrew Without Fighting
In a recent article dedicated to the Ninth Crusade, we explained that the English prince and future king Edward I landed in Acre in the spring of 1271, ready to…
Over 100 Horse Skeletons from a Roman Cavalry Unit from the 2nd Century A.D. Found in Stuttgart
Archaeologists from the State Office for Monument Preservation of the Stuttgart Regional Council have found the remains of more than a hundred Roman horses in the Bad Cannstatt district of…
Scientists manage to stimulate eye cells to visualize “olo”, a color never seen before by humans
In a breakthrough that seems straight out of science fiction, a group of scientists has succeeded in getting the human eye to visualize a completely new color, beyond what it…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
