Archeological heritage and mutual heritage identity

Archeological heritage and mutual heritage identity Introduction An archeological heritage is a place (or an object deriving from a place) in which evidence of the past activity is preserved either prehistoric, historic or contemporary.

This heritage is or can be investigated using the discipline of archeology, and it represents a part of an archeological record. Archeological heritage tells a story of and about mutual identity of one country, in depends of archeological finding we can determine how big is variety of culture on one area and how many cultural traditions and overlaps are present in one past or existing culture. Archeology firstly as a science is important to understand history, historical movements of people and past traditions. This led archeology to draw conclusions that effect history and by that future in certain way.

Today’s interests in BiH archeology is unfortunately neglected, as a heritage that can’t be set trough current political lenses. Whit certainty we can say that today’s archeology in BiH is not explored and by all not properly presented, exploited and utilized. This lays firstly in the fact that educational institution of archeology in BiH has never been initiated (finally there is a study organized in year 2008) what is incredible to believe in country with so rich and diverse cultural findings. Experts in the field of archeology are educated in neighboring countries of Croatia and Serbia that then conducted excavations in BiH. This for sure has left some doubts on objectivity of the works and wider development of local Archeology.

In modern trends and utilization of archeological sites development led archeology to undertake positive changes in cultural resources management and open presentation of excavated sites. This was not the case in BiH, sites are usually excavated and then after

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exploration covered with no creation of visitors centre or kind of on site preservation and presentation objects. Today museum are the carriers and owners of excavated artifacts.

Historical sites that have cultural potential are covered and unmarked with no signpost, and are all around the countryside lying dispersed and unused.

Archeology has the potential to link together the diverse cultural heritage of BiH, mixed heritage coming to us from prehistoric times are telling us a story of mutual heritage identity of all inhabitants of this land and territories.

Rich history of BiH Testaments of human beginnings on territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina are deep up to prehistory and it is possible to follow all common European cultural levels.

This level is possible to enrich with some refined characteristics. Evidences from Old Stone Age testify that in Paleolithic time are inhabited parts of north parts of Bosnia, areas of river Bosnia, Ukrina and Usora. Significant Paleolithic findings and localities are in Herzegovina as Badanj Cave near the town of Stolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is famous for its cave paintings of a horse carved in stone, 12.000 before the Common Era (BCE).

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Stone carving, Badanj near Stolac, Paleolith, around 12.000c BCE

On the edge of Paleolithic time in the big climate changes of temperature increasing and ice melting in 4.000 BCE areas stays unsettled with exception of Mediterranean area, what is evident by Mesolithic findings in Red rock Cave.

In 3 BCE on this area is coming to rich development of Neolithic culture and civilization, testaments are multiple archeological findings and outstanding variety of shapes and objects. This area of prosperous conditions and enhancement of stone weapons and transfer to agriculture, animal breading as creation of settlements and new social organization. Area of ceramics is calm till 2 BCE when is starting a drastic break in continuity and large invasions.

Culture of neolith is by many elements unique culture of this area (between 2 large Neolithic groups Mediterranean with impresso ceramics and middle European with strip ceramic), with numerous local specific that is transfer by so called Neolithic groups.

Oldest findings are forum upper Tuzla and Green cave above Buna, near Mostar.

Cultural groups like: Kakanj, Vičani, Butmir, Novi Šeher, Obre, Crkvina, Lisičićka and Posavska are the most impressive ones in their refined rich shapes and forms.

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Dishes and cult objects, Butmir and Obre II, Neolith around 4700c BCE

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Large movements of nomadic tribes of black sea, that introduced brass and cooper to Balkans, and entrance to new era. Eolith that uses both stone and metal tools, metal is coming to this area from north, over river Sava and Vrbas. Evidences and this culture are eradicated by new groups that are in this area Vučedolska, Lastinjska, Kostolačka and Badenska. This era as well as Bronze are marked by strong producing and social changes, with numerous aggressive attacks from west Pannonic areas.

Area of Bosnia and Herzegovina on this time is on great advantage caused by its mining wealth and security of hidden mountain configuration of terrain.

Silver ware, Štrpci near Višegrad, Hellenic era, 4c BCE

In I century BCE in BiH as well as in whole Balkans is visible process of creation of one large cultural and ethnical base, that is making large territorial communities, carriers of Iron age culture – Illyrians. Illyric tribe’s ware inhabiting this area and making it area of many war forays, merchant and cultural politic penetrations. In this time processes of creation larger tribal alliances inhabit territory of today’s BiH, in historic records are dominant: Daesitiates, Maezaes, Daorsoi, Delmates, Iapodes, Deuri, Derentini, Breuci.

Celts are the temporary invaders in IV BCE on their way to Greece, being not successful in invading Greece they have returned in first half of III BCE in Danube river area.

Greek colonization of Adriatic shores in first period of IV BCE have marked the initial

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start of Illyrian history, this has an impact on creation of road to strong cultural and economic influences. Strong resistance to Roman operations to this territory has a time frame of one and the half century, on strike is the first Delmatian area that falls in year 156 falls the big city of Delminium. For Rome was also difficult to get Iapodes to surrender, this attempts are ongoing from 129 to 119 in several attempts.

Final Roman intervention in this area is conducted by Octavian, in year 35 till 33, when all Illyrian lands are occupied by Rome.

Final Illyrian attempt has occurred in 6 and 9 year of new era, in area of today’s Bosnia, it was a famous “Bellum batonianum� batonian rise against Roman rule that united numerous Illyrian tribes in joint resistance. (In great battle on river Batinus, most probably river Bosnia) With this battle is finished Illyrian history and Illyric land has divided in to Pannonia and Dalmatia.

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Cultural overlaps Romans are starting with organized involvement of land in administrative, political, cultural and economic system of empire, elements of Illyrian life and culture are suppressed by global Romanization. Probably is that complete Romanization has newer came to some distant Illyrian tribes and settlements high in mountains, or they have not been influenced in total so the Slavs on their setting on this area have made relation of intercultural penetration with this old and native element.

In fact Illyrian tribe’s never succeeded in literature attempts so written records on them and their lives are available form Roman sources. Life, culture, way of social organization and language are unknown, direct witness are numerous archeological findings, by all settlements and graves. Common type of settlement was a fort – strong belted colony on uplift or hill, from small ones to monumental ones with large “cyclopean walls” like ones in Ošanići near Stolac. Illyrian specificum was burial beneath tumulus, that can be found in large numbers. Also some traces of Iapodeian urn remains can be found with some remains of on grave inscriptions on antic graves.

Example of Illyrian Hellenism on territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be traced by village Ošanići near Stolac, form 5 to 1 BCE as center of Illyrian tribe of Daorsoi and their city of Daorson. Archeological findings here show that from 3 BCE this tribe was branch of large Hellenic tribe. These contacts most likely are to be achieved over see ways, that testify with fragments of antic pottery as well as Greek amphora. Importance of marine time by Daorsoi tribe is shown by artistic impression of ship graved on their coins, this autonomy has remained way log after Roman invasion.

Rome was important factor in political life of Daorson, so their culture was framed in

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Greek and Hellenic shapes, with strong presence of domestic Illyrian traditions. By this impressions are interesting individual creation of Daorsoi artist, that upgrades Hellenic techniques and makes its own creations specific to rest of Hellenic culture.

Coins found at Daorson, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Characteristic of Daorson is that parallel with Hellenistic potter there are findings of remains of domestic ceramics, hand made and archaic in ornaments and shape. This pottery is matching findings from much earlier periods, what is suggesting that there is a long and interesting follow up of authentic elements of Illyrian culture that are Hellenized in large extent.

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Continuity In beginning of era, territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina is incorporated in large Roman emporium. First centuries for Illyrijum are prosperous, and stable, although there is signs of rebellions from some tribes like Daesitiates that are treated as equal citizens just in 3 century. Richness of Bosnia and Herzegovina are important for Rome in that time, mines, sliver, lead, salt as well as workforce are strong asset of emporium. Large building projects of Rome are roads, this infrastructure are user to extract all this goods, this roads are in time repaired and maintained, that trough later history came to the use as fundament to today’s communications.

Large settlements are like in Illyrian time’s areas around Bihać, Srebrenica, Gornji Vakuf, Bugojno, Uskoplje, Kiseljak, Fojnica, Mostar, Konjic, Stolac and Sarajevo…

Roman settlement on the area of municipality Ilidža, near Sarajevo named Aquae S

Difficult, under crisis and too large to conduct with constant invasions of Huns and Goths (from east and west), Roman Empire has divided in year 395 and then collapsed in year 476 Archeology gives to us numerous data about devastating wars and conflicts on this area, until 3 century former Illyrian territory has transferred to developed Roman province that have important role in life of empire. Inhabitants are not just citizens they have some

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imperial honors. In culture and practice now are expressed elements of autochthonous culture, their artistic and creative elements are significantly stronger.

Monumental and sacral works are shown in Antic canons and laws but with different iconography and representation. History as traditional form reads this as inability of barbarians to accept antic forms and tradition. More correct is to notice vitality of one cultural tradition (first of all original one) that century of absolute Roman domination was unable to eradicate in total. Beside all, this manifest that Roman domination should not be taken as absolute stop in follow up of civilizations.

Some time upon fall of Rome area is conquered by eastern Goths and it is included in their state, for several decades this area is prosperous and peaceful. At the year 535 Eastern Roman Empire is taking back this area again but just for a short while, northern border is under attack by the Avars and Slavs that raided Rome’s Balkan countries.

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Antic period in this time is characterized by breakthroughs of numerous and diverse cultures, mythologies and beliefs. This diversity has not been lost even when Christianity becomes official religion of the Empire in year 391. Pagan and gentile elements before all native and indigenous, then ones entered by barbarians.

Temple of god Mithra in Jajce, beginning of IV century

Syncretism, neo-Platonism and Mithraism are blended in unusual and unpredictable shapes and forms that did combine with Christianity that saved some of this element even till today. Mithraeum in Jajce is example of this historic antique sacral monument. In cultural-historic way in Bosnia and Herzegovina it is important to mention early Christian buildings with their plastic decorations. This remains of late antique basilica that are taking the model of Roman basilica in many ways are isolated cases in European church building period of this time. Plastic decorations are by universals symbols of early Christianity with dominant stylish character of native and domestic, cult and artistic source tradition.

Slavic ethnic groups in Balkans Great movements of end of west Roman Empire, former Illyrian territory has been inhabited by new ethnic group the South Slavs. They have moved intensively on routes

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that Roman Empire has made, Slavs are unstoppable in their expansion within 6 century.

In alliance with Avars they are final stroke on already finished world of late antique. In time war machinery of Avars is falling down and they are in defeat, but Slavic tribes with their agricultural and live stock way of life remain in their new lands. From that time new and Slavic era of this time begins. Great majority of present day population in Bosnia is descendants of the initial Slavic migrants, of the sixth and seventh centuries.

This Slav’s came from the single Slavic groups, the Slavs 1

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Some modern investigations are telling us about percentage of relation of BiH people with historic influence of invaders that are approximately in relation of: 20% gothic, 40% Illyrian and 40% Slavic

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Early History under foreign rule In 10 century Bosnia is mentioned in works of Byzantine emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus “De administrando imperio” he is writing and refers to eleven Croatian parishes, four of which were in northern and western Bosnia. Constantine also gives information on how to manipulate each nation against each other, rather than use imperial money and resources to wage war against them directly.

Bosnia lay at a considerable distance from Rome and Constantinople, the two centers that produced written records. Thus we know so little about early middle Ages. During most of tenth, eleventh and twelfth centuries, Bosnia found itself under foreign rule. But since Bosnia is very mountainous and making communication difficult, one my wonder how much impact those foreign rulers and over lords had upon its inhabitants. In any case Bosnians found them self’s from mid-tenth to the late twelfth century under a succession of short – lived conquering states.

Byzantine chronicler Kinnamos testified to that, writing probably in the 1180’s noted that Bosnia was separated from Serbia by the river Drina – a dividing – line that remained Bosnia's eastern border for much of its later history" he also reports that “Bosnia of his day was not under the Grand Court of Serbia, rather that Bosnians have their own distinct way of life and government” Bosnia is lying in between is often called a meeting ground between East and West. However due to its mountainous terrain and poor communications it was more a no-mans land between the two worlds.

Emphasized flow of whole Bosnian Middle Ages will be very consistent in maintenance of archaic forms from social life and specific cultural traditions and customs.

It is not easy to say way Bosnia has been a space to reserve and develop this specific forms and traditions, caused maybe by its isolation from Eastern and Western dominant influences.

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Isolated position in dark and unknown centuries that are becoming to political formation of Bosnia in 12 century is caused by strongly maintained Slavic forms of social life and cultures and active ethno genetic domestic as well as culture relation between indigenous people and inhabited Slavs. Illyrians as such also represent complex ethnic and cultural structure divided in Romanized and prehistoric Illyrian cultural tradition. In Bosnia is most likely to be connected with this blend of tradition with Slavic tribes that had a time to impact domestic culture in best possible way. Some of these old elements in native traditions can be found even today in majority of Slavic folklores.

First actions of two great Christian centers are to baptize majority of population. It is difficult to say how this process was going in early stages, it is sure that Herzegovinian parts are first ones in direct connection with Dalmatian area. Strong impacts are coming with Slavic teachings of Saints Cyril and Methodius and their followers, proof for this is strong and powerful tradition of Slavic literature in Bosnia, first of all Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabet.

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Significant material for studies and culture of Slavic tribes are graveyards, most by its jewelry and weapons. Also the graveyards are in the places of recent necropolis or in vicinity of sacral places, on many localities it is possible to find cultural continuity. No mater that war endeavors and all cultural transformations are present from prehistory, antique, late antique till early Slavic period then on to late medieval age.

This fact says to the benefit of active cultural and ethnic connection of native Illyrians and Slavs in first period of migrations.

Humačka ploča is on of the oldest literacy monuments from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Important thing is a stone carving skills that will later on produce original art of decoration of grave monuments called Stećci. In stone is also saved important testament of Bosnian cultural heritage, scripture. Oldest monument of this kind is Humačka ploča, (Humac tablet) inscription from Humac by Lubuško that is dated at 10 century. Text on this stone is saying about specific south – Slavic literature and writing.

Base of the text is Cyrillic, and some elements of Glagolitic alphabet are visible, but also is visible a start of transformation to a new scripture of most notably indigenous Bosnian Cyrillic (so called Bosančica) that will in time to come be dominant and widely spread lettering in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Future of Archeological heritage Undoubtedly rich archeological heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a part of all European cultural levels, its sites and history are representative examples of archeological heritage that would be interesting focus for strong development of cultural tourism. This means that future education of experts is needed, as well as good policy for use and presentation of archeological sites. Municipalities need to realize that archeological heritage is a resource of income generation and that can be connected with other cultural attractions in joint effort to enhance the cultural industries of a region.

Opening of an archeological site and its proper and open presentation can be links to other themes that nearby area have to offer, that can be a numerous numbers of themes available. Signage system, pedestrian and car routes are a must in promotion of any serious cultural product. Tourist center with a promotion material is also one of future plans that obtain information about sites and possible areas of interest for possible visitors.

References 1. Imamovic, Enver, Space of BiH in prehistory and antics 2. Lovrenovic, Dubravko, From Slavonic inhabitation to Kulin ban VII-XII ct.

3. Ivan Lovrenović, Bosnia: a cultural history. New York University Press 2001 4. Nilevic, Boris, Afirmation of Bosnian state 5. Benac, Covic, Pašalic, Basler,Miletic, Anđelic, Cultural history of BiH 6. Archeology, book XVII GZM, Novo Sarajevo 1963 7. Miocevic, Suić, Adriatica, Prehistorica et antique, 1970 8. Arheolokški leksikon BiH, 1988, Z.Muzej, Sarajevo, 1988 9. Pašalić, Easd, Antička naselja I komunikacije u BiH, 1960, Z. Muzej 10. J. J. Wilkes, The Illyrians, 1992 11. A. Benac, Symposium sur la delimitation Territoriale et chronologique des Illyriens a l’epoque Prehistorique, Sarajevo 1964 12. Robert J. Donia and John va Fine, Jr. Bosnia and Hercegovina: A Tradition

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Betrayed. New York: Columbia University Press, 1994

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