In situ – Yearbook of the Department of Archaeology is a professional journal with an aim of popularizing archaeology. Journal is focused on the dissemination of up-to-date information, preliminary results of current and recently completed archaeological excavations and other projects of the Department of Archaeology. Therefore, the journal contains information about projects, field surveys and archaeological excavations of the Department in the past year. Accordingly, the authors of the papers are employees of the Department of Archeology with the possibility of co-authorship with collaborators on projects and research. Publisher: University of Zadar, Department of Archaeology ISSN (Online) 2991-4817 ISSN (Print) 2991-3373 The journal is published annually in printed form and it is also available in digital form on the journals publishing platform supported by the University of Zadar. All papers are published in Croatian and English language. All papers in the journal have editorial review. Journal content is completely available at: In situ (unizd.hr) In situ is an open access journal. All content is made freely available. Users are allowed to copy and redistribute, and alter, transform, or build upon the material as long as they attribute the source in an appropriate manner. Authors who publish work in the journal In situ retain copyright over their work and the right to publish without restrictions.
Gradac in Potirna on the island of Korčula
The paper presents the results of archaeological research at Gradac hillfort in Potirna, located on the southwestern part of the island of Korčula. The research was conducted in April 2024, as part of a student research project funded by the Department of Archaeology of the University of Zadar. The archaeological material found has enabled at least a partial understanding of the everyday life of the Bronze Age community on this southern Dalmatian island.
Pakoštane – Crkvina, the final resting place on the shores of Lake Vrana
After a break of several years, research at the Crkvina site in Pakoštane on the shores of Lake Vrana resumed in the spring of 2024. This year's research campaign focused on the room next to the southern nave of the church, where a number of graves with numerous deceased persons were explored under the paving layer.
Shipwreck near the Mali Školj rock in the Suđurađ bay on the island of Šipan
The investigation of the shipwreck near Mali Školj has once again proven to be highly engaging this year. Many new structural elements of the vessel have been uncovered, including a series of deck beams and two longitudinal reinforcements. Notably, the stern of the ship has now been reached. In the central section, researchers discovered 14 round objects made of copper sheet, whose purpose remains unknown, as well as 72 stone cannonballs of five different calibres. Continued systematic research is essential for enhancing our understanding of Late Renaissance shipbuilding in the Dubrovnik Republic and its allies.
Archaeological survey of sites in the area of Gračac, Nin, Polača, Poličnik, Stankovci, Sukošan and Zadar
During the colder period at the end of 2024 and the beginning of the following year, nine archaeological sites were surveyed across the mainland of Zadar County. A number of prehistoric hillfort settlements were surveyed: Ćosina gradina in Gornja Jagodnja, Gračac Gradina, Mala gradina and Vinac near Stankovci, and Trojan near Stabanj. In addition to Grusi, a Roman-era site near Briševo, several medieval sites were also archaeologically surveyed, namely: Blato on the border of Zadar and Nin, the area around the church of St. Kate in the village of Budak, and Račice near Debeljak.
Postmediaeval shipwreck off Cape Ratac at the island of Koločep
The shipwreck near Cape Ratac on the island of Koločep is an exceptionally valuable underwater archaeological site dating from the Early Modern Period. Despite its significance, the site has not been adequately preserved, and its condition continues to deteriorate due to unauthorized diving activities. During an expert inspection and surface cleaning carried out in 2024, numerous items from the ship’s equipment and cargo were recovered. Additionally, the remains of the ship’s wooden structure were found to be in excellent condition. Although the site is currently protected by geotextile, this is only a temporary measure. Therefore, continued archaeological research appears to be the most effective strategy for ensuring the site's long-term protection.
In the autumn of 2024, small-scale archaeological trial excavations were carried out in the sub-hillfort part of the late prehistoric settlement of Kopila on the island of Korčula. Given that this is an area that was subjected to intensive agricultural cultivation in the past, the primary goal of the project was to determine the condition of the archaeological deposits in order to plan further approach to the research of this important site.
Soline on the island of Korčula – research in 2024
As part of the Croatian Science Foundation project (Undersea Neolithic sites in the Croatian Adriatic IP-2022-10-3893), underwater archaeological research was conducted at the Soline site in May 2024. The end of the inner side of the coastal wall was defined by exploring an area of ​​3 x 6 meters. The investigated area is higher than other parts of the coastal wall, and the structure found most likely belongs to the fortifications that are part of the entrance to the late Neolithic settlement.
Shipwreck from the 1st century BC near Cape Letavica on the island of Pag
Research on the exceptionally well-preserved remains of a sunken ship off Cape Letavica continued in 2024, with financial support from the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia. As in the previous year, the work focused on the southern part of the site, believed to be the location of the ship's galley. Among the discoveries, a fully intact amber-colored glass cup, crafted using the casting technique, stands out. Several complete or partially preserved ceramic vessels, as well as the remains of a larger metal container, were also recovered.
Archaeological research at the site of Šopot – Crkvina in 2024
In 2024, archaeological research continued at the Crkvina site in Šopot, near Benkovac. During this year's campaign, conducted by the Benkovac Heritage Museum in cooperation with the Department of Archaeology of the University of Zadar, research continued on the graves in the area west of the church. This is a multi-layered cemetery with different types of graves, from burials in simple earthen pits to graves lined with stone slabs and amorphous stones. In addition to other graves, a stone structure representing a smaller burial plot was found and explored at the site, within which two graves with stone lining were found, placed one above the other, and four more similar structures were discovered that still need to be explored.
Kozja peć is an impressive speleological structure located on the top of the central part of Dugi otok. Excavations revealed layers that can be traced in an almost uninterrupted stratigraphic sequence from the ancient to the early prehistoric periods.
Shipwreck at the islet of Gnalić (Gagliana grossa, 1583)
Systematic research of the shipwreck near the islet of Gnalić, which began in 2013, continued in August 2024. The objectives of this campaign were to remove all elements of the master frame, continue excavation toward the bow, and retrieve barrels from the stern and central parts of the ship. All goals were successfully achieved; however, the discovery of a significant number of new barrels in the bow section considerably slowed the pace of the underwater excavation. One fully preserved barrel was found in the central stern section. After the master frame was removed, it was divided into nine segments, documented using photogrammetry, and left protected on the seabed until the next research campaign.
Church of St. John in Stivanje polje on Dugi otok
The paper describes the results of the seventh campaign of archaeological research around the church of St. John in Stivanje polje within the Telašćica Nature Park. In addition to several medieval graves, an older, previously unrecorded, burial horizon was also recognized, dated to the 4th and 5th centuries.
Underwater archaeological research in the bay of Caska on the island of Pag
Underwater archaeological research in the bay of Caska on the island of Pag continued from May 4 to 19, 2024. During the first week, work resumed in Zone D of Sector 1, where it had stopped last year. In the second week, taking into account new discoveries, research continued in a small cove southeast of Tunera, called Mala Pošta. At this location, a row of wooden poles was discovered that probably supported operational waterfront along a large retaining wall, built to prevent erosion. At the location of Mrke Stene, further in the direction of Pod bužu cove, the remains of another scuttled boat were discovered. Given that the discovery occurred on the last working day, further investigation of the wreck is planned for the next research campaign.
The paper presents the results of archaeological research conducted in Vlakno cave on Dugi otok during 2024 as part of a project of the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia.
Investigation of the B-24 H Liberator “Lady Luck” heavy bomber in the waters off the island of Biševo
It is known that on November 17, 1944, the Allied forces sent 630 fighter planes on a bombing mission to the industrial zone of Vienna. The B-24H bomber #42-52774, nicknamed “Lady Luck”, under the command of pilot Henry Mills, also participated in the mission. Although the mission's objective was successfully achieved, the bomber's engines were damaged by anti-aircraft fire, which caused the plane to crash while attempting to land at Vis airport. The underwater archaeological site with the remains of the wreck is located west of the island of Biševo and includes a total of three positions (L 1-3), at an average depth of 90 meters. The search was initiated by the Missing Persons Agency (DPAA), under the leadership of the RPM Nautical Foundation, in cooperation with partners and external contractors, with the aim of finding the remains of the deceased crew members, and then repatriating them to the United States of America. In 2024, the third research campaign was carried out in which, after the documentation of the existing condition using remote methods and photogrammetry, excavation continued in targeted trial trenches at position 1 (L 1), where most of the bomber's parts are located (fuselage, tail, wings). The article describes the course of the research campaign, work methodology and interventions at the underwater site.
Underwater archaeological survey of Dubrovnik-Neretva County
The work on the Croatian Science Foundation's project Undersea Neolithic sites in the Croatian Adriatic includes a special survey of the seabed of coastal counties. A survey of Dubrovnik-Neretva County was planned for 2024. Potential locations were surveyed and archaeological remains were identified that can be roughly dated to the Neolithic period.
Roman estate at the site of Beneficij-Gudulija, the Island of Korčula
The paper presents the results of archaeological excavations at the Beneficij-Gudulija site near Vela Luka on the island of Korčula, where remains of a Roman rural estate were recorded as early as the mid-20th century. Research in this year is a continuation of those begun in 2018 in cooperation with the Department of Archaeology of the University of Zadar and the Vela Luka Culture Center, which are gradually revealing the spatial and content scope of the site, as well as the dynamics of life in it in the period from the 1st to the 6th century.
Continuation of underwater research at Trstenik in Kaštel Sućurac
Since the ship Trstenik 3 was fully uncovered during the 2023 research campaign, this year's efforts are focused on detailed cleaning, removal of stringers, and the creation of comprehensive documentation regarding the condition of the ship's structure. The ship comprises the keel, the initial parts of the stem and the sternpost, six strakes on each side (comprising eleven planks on the north side and eight on the south). Each side also features a wale (the seventh strake). The structure includes thirty-four frames, consisting of floortimbers and half-frames as well as futtocks. Additionally, there are three stringers on the north side and two on the south, along with two short elements that appear to have served to support the stringers.
Archaeological supervision and excavation were carried out during the construction of a residential building in Senj in the Alej area on cadastral plot 802/1 of the Senj land registry. On that occasion, the remains of a church-monastery complex with a cemetery were found, which was discovered and partially investigated in 2021. The site was not explored in its entirety, but only to the depth that would be devastated by construction works. The building whose remains were found during these excavations was demolished in the 16th century, when Ivan Lenković had all the buildings outside the walls of Senj demolished so that they would not serve as a fortress for the Turks in the immediate vicinity of the town. A cemetery was also found in the investigation, and five graves were explored. In the 18th or 19th century, a building with a square floor plan with two buttresses on the inside was built in this area, which functioned for a very short time. After that, the terrain was leveled, large amounts of soil were filled in, and the space acquired its current appearance.
Underwater archaeological research – Galešnjak 2024
As part of the planned activities of the project Undersea Neolithic sites in the Croatian Adriatic (IP-2022-10-3893, project leader: M. Parica), there was an underwater archaeological research and field survey in the seabed of the islet of Galešnjak near the settlement of Turanj. The research leader, who carried out the research in mid-November, was Mate Parica (University of Zadar), and the deputy research leader was Mladen Pešić (International Center for Underwater Archaeology – Zadar). The research focused on the survey of the Neolithic communication embankment and the trial trenching of the seabed north of Galešnjak.
Archaeological supervision in the building of the former Social Welfare building on the Zadar peninsula
At the site of the former Social Welfare building in the very heart of the Zadar peninsula, archaeological monitoring was carried out in April 2024 during the excavation of eight test pits, the aim of which was to examine the depth and condition of the foundations due to the renovation of the building.
Archaeological research at the site of Gradina in Turanj
The paper presents the results of archaeological excavations at the Bronze Age site of Gradina in Turanj, conducted during 2024. This year's research was focused on a part of the ramparts along the western side of the entrance to the hillfort, where, within the outer face of the rampart, two graves with four deceased persons, mostly children, were discovered. One of the aforementioned graves also contained numerous metal accessories, and, as it seems, amber beads, which is an extremely rare find in northern Dalmatia. Also, burials in fortification structures have not been recorded in Dalmatia in the context of Bronze Age settlements, and this phenomenon is rarely documented in the wider Adriatic area. In addition, another trial trench within the settlement (trial trench 5) was investigated, which showed an identical stratigraphic and cultural picture as the other previously investigated trial trenches.
Citadela Nova project - archaeological research in 2024
In 2024, another archaeological investigation was conducted within the complex of the old Technical School building, in the part of the former school workshops. These investigations, by excavating at three positions, confirmed the assumption about the direction of the Nani-Dolfin connecting rampart. The investigation was conducted in order to better prepare the investor for planning the execution of construction works as part of the Citadel Nova project - reconstruction and extension of the workshop part of the old Technical School.
Underwater archaeological trial survey in Vranjic near Solin
Rich archaeological heritage of the area of Vranjic is evidenced in ancient spolia incorporated into houses in Vranjic, numerous accidental finds uncovered during construction activities both on land and underwater, references in the writings of Don Frane Bulić, the well-known sunken sarcophagi of Vranjic, and discoveries made during large-scale infrastructure excavations in the early 21st century.
Archaeological investigations at the Ljubljana site on Ljubačka kosa
The paper presents the results of archaeological research carried out as part of the fieldwork practice for archaeology students during the year 2024 at the Ljubljana site on Ljubačka kosa.
Continuation of the systematic research of a 2nd-century Roman shipwreck off the island of Ilovik
During October 2023, systematic research of the Roman shipwreck remains from the 2nd century AD continued off the island of Ilovik. During the research campaign, fourteen more whole or partially damaged amphorae and four ancient coins were discovered. It was established that the coin found in 2022 was minted in the era of Emperor Hadrian, and four variants of amphorae were recognized among the collected material. A surface survey of the terrain near the pier on Ilovik resulted in the discovery of pottery sherds that could belong to the Neolithic period.
Recent investigations of the Šopot - Crkvina site
The Crkvina site in the village of Šopot near Benkovac is located on the southern slope of Grubića glavica. The first investigations were carried out in the1920s, unearthing the remains of a church, church furnishings with the inscription of Duke Branimir and a cemetery dated to the early Middle Ages. Revision excavations and conservation of the church followed in the 1980s, and systematic research continued from 2016. In this campaign, the graves to the west of the church were investigated, actually two horizons of graves: the older, early medieval one, and the younger horizon dating to the 13th-14th centuries.
Underwater archaeological survey in the area of the islets of Sv. Fumija and Kraljevac near the island of Čiovo
Systematic underwater archaeological survey was carried out in the area of the islets of Sv. Fumija and Kraljevac, which are located along the southern coast of the island of Čiovo. A coastal construction of an ancient villa, a chert bed, and individual finds of ancient amphora fragments were found, distributed over a wider area of the examined segment.