Savaria - A Vas Megyei Múzeumok értesítője 24/3. (1997) (Szombathely, 1997)

Jancz Dular: Rézkori magaslati telepek Közép-Szlovéniában

SAVARIA A VAS MEGYEI MÚZEUMOK ÉRTESÍTŐJE SZOMBATHELY 24/3 (1998-1999) PARS ARCHAEOLOGICA 1999 COPPER AGE HIGHLAND SETTLEMENTS IN CENTRAL SLOVENIA JANEZ DULAR InStitut za Arheologijo Ljubljana Fortified prehistoric settlements in Central Slovenia have been under research for numerous years at the Institute pf Archaeology in Ljubljana. This research is part of a long-term project focused upon the investigation of Iron Age settlement throughout the Dolenjska region, inhabited during the 1

st millennium ВС by one of the most significant communities of the southeastern Alpine Hallstatt culture (GABROVEC 1966). The investigation of fortified settlements is thus, in effect, a continuation of the Sticna project. Extensive systematic excavations were carried out during the 1970's at this hillfort, which with its 23 hectares represents the largest throughout the entire south-eastern Alpine region. The stratigraphy and chronology of the settlement were well clarified as a result of the 22 sample trenches excavated along the edge of the settlement; the manner in which the defence ramparts were constructed was also investigated (GABROVEC - FREY FOLTINY 1970; GABROVEC 1994). The excavations revealed that the settlement at Sticna was inhabited during the Iron Age, that is from the 8

th century ВС all through to the arrival of the Romans. A model of the secernent pattern was established based upon the data furnished by the excavations at Sticna. It postulated that similar results can be anticipated also at other fortified settlements in Central Slovenia. In other words, fortified settlements in the Dolenjska region can be attributed to the Iron Age. Consequently, the primary goal of the systematic investigations of fortified settlements in Central Slovenia was to determine the validity of the settlement pattern model that was established on the basis of the excavations at Sticna. The initiatory requirement of the program was to carry out a systematic topographic survey of the entire region between the Sava and Kolpa rivers; charting of and precise measurements of the settlements followed. Sample trenching at the fortified settlements was also carried out following the completed topographic survey and cartographic measurements. One sample trench was dug at each settlement site; the purpose of this was to attain some insight into the stratigraphy and thus also into the chronological spans of the individual fortified settlements. The results attained by the investigations were remarkable. They demonstrated that the settlements should by no means be attributed solely to the Iron Age. In fact, select settlements were inhabited already during the Copper and Bronze Ages and often traces of inhabitancy during the Late Roman era were also detected (DULAR et al. 1991; DULAR et al. 1995). These results have decisively altered the initial conception of the settlement processes throughout this region and thus it stands to reason that the current portrayal of the settlement pattern shall have to be refurbished. The first steps toward this goal have already been accomplished, however sample trenching will need to be completed prior to the postulation of any conclusive interpretation (DULAR 1994). Despite the fact that field work has not yet been completed a report concerning Copper Age settlement processes in the Dolenjska region shall be presented, considering that these issues have not yet been contemplated upon in greater detail. Very little was known as of yet concerning the settlement structures of this era. This determination is well illustrated by the fact that all until the publication of ArheoloSka njadiSÖa Slovenije, only one settlement dated to the Late Stone Age and the Early Copper Age, Vinomer above Metlika, was registered from throughout the entire Dolenjska region; it was partially investigated by R. Lozar prior to the 2

nd World War (LOZAR 1941; PETRU 1975, 244). A later systematic topographic survey of Bela krajina then yielded results demonstrating that this situation was far from the truth. A selection of significant lowland set-