During an official visit to the town of Stobreč, near Split, Croatia’s Minister of Culture and Media, Dr. Nina Obuljen Koržinek, along with State Secretary Krešimir Partl, participated in the presentation of an extraordinary archaeological find. The site, located in the heart of the town, has been identified as part of the ancient Greek city of Epetion.
Dr. Marina Ugarković, an archaeologist from the Institute of Archaeology and responsible for the site’s investigations, revealed surprising details about the find. The most striking is the discovery of a Greek wall approximately 70 meters long and over three meters high in some places, a find that makes it one of the best-preserved walls of ancient Greece in Croatia. Ugarković emphasized that this discovery is monumental in every sense, comparing it to other significant archaeological finds worldwide.
But the wall is not the only thing that has left experts astonished. The remains of structures discovered within the ancient settlement of Epetion date from different periods, from prehistory to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Late Antiquity periods, and even to the Middle Ages. Additionally, the findings suggest that Epetion was inhabited much earlier than previously thought, as evidence has been found dating to the 16th or 15th century BC, corresponding to the Middle Bronze Age.
Minister Obuljen Koržinek, visibly impressed by the magnitude of the discovery, confirmed that further research will be conducted to ensure the site’s protection and future exhibition. This is a discovery of great value, both for the local community and the general public. We will closely monitor the excavations to ensure they are preserved and shared with the world, the minister stated.
Meanwhile, archaeologist conservators Silva Kukoč and Ivica Pleština, who have overseen the project, explained that this area had already been identified as a potential archaeological point of interest. The Conservation Department in Split had authorized excavations in the area as part of a preventive project to assess the impact of future construction. This approach allowed the identification of finds before any construction began in the region.
The minister also highlighted that the Croatian Parliament is working on the approval of a new Law on the Protection and Conservation of Cultural Property, which will include new provisions to safeguard archaeological sites like this one. The goal is to improve the legal protection of valuable sites, especially in urban areas, where it is essential to balance development with heritage conservation, Obuljen Koržinek said.
The Epetion site, which until recently was only known from historical mentions of the Greek cities of Tragurium, Epetion, and Salona, is revealing a much more complex history. The first archaeological studies were carried out in the 1960s when a wall was discovered on the northern coast of Stobreč.
However, recent excavations have revealed additional structures, including an impressive megalithic construction with double gates, suggesting that the city might extend far beyond what was originally thought.
With these discoveries, new hypotheses arise regarding the organization and extent of Epetion, which could provide a deeper understanding of the ancient history of the region. The research continues, and this discovery, of not only local but international importance, is expected to offer new opportunities for archaeological study and the protection of Croatia’s cultural heritage.
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