Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a 3,500-year-old settlement in the heart of the Dalmatian village of Stobreč in Croatia.
Stobreč is a picturesque village located near Split, about 250 miles south of Croatia’s capital, Zagreb.
The discovery includes a well-preserved monumental Greek rampart, or defensive structure, stretching over 230 feet in length and structures from various historical periods, offering valuable insights into the area’s past.
Nestled along Croatia’s stunning coastline, the excavation took place in a lot slated for future construction. The discovery was announced in a press release issued by the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media.
A team of archaeologists began excavating an empty lot in Stobreč ahead of future construction projects, Croatia’s Ministry of Culture and Media said. The lot was listed as a known historic site, but little research had been done there in recent decades.
“These are impressive archaeological findings, including a Greek wall approximately forty meters long, with some sections reaching a depth of more than three meters,” archaeologist Dr. Marina Ugarković from the Institute of Archaeology emphasized, explaining that this makes it an extraordinarily monumental discovery—the best-preserved Greek wall in Croatia, comparable to other ancient archaeological finds worldwide, the Ministry of Culture and Media said.
Dr. Ugarković revealed that, during the research she led, the remains of other structures within the ancient settlement of Epetion, dating from various periods, were explored for the first time. These periods range from prehistory through the Hellenistic and Roman eras to late antiquity and the early Middle Ages.
Marina Ugarković emphasized that, due to the stratified nature of the site, material evidence was found for the first time indicating the settlement existed much earlier than previously believed, with the earliest finds dating back to the Middle Bronze Age, or roughly 3,500 years B.C.
The project uncovered a massive Greek rampart, a type of defensive wall, from at least 2,000 years ago.
The rampart, believed to be over 2,000 years old, is notable for its impressive L-shape. The longer segment looks more asymmetrical, while the shorter segment is made up of five rectangular formations. The structure is approximately 10 feet high at its tallest, according to archaeologist Marina Ugarković.
This discovery, which is said to be among Croatia’s most remarkable and well-preserved Greek ramparts, provides intriguing new perspectives on the area’s prehistoric past.
By historical accounts, in the fourth century B.C., the Greeks started to establish colonies in what is now modern-day Croatia. In the second century B.C., the Romans began to increase their influence in the region. Stobreč later evolved into a prominent Roman trade center, as noted by regional tourism officials.
Croatia’s Ministry of Culture and Media
Cover Image: Croatia’s Ministry of Culture and Media
