Prahistorijski nalazi na srednjovjekovnom gradu Cazin
Prehistoric Archaeological Finds in the Medieval Town of Cazin

Summary/Abstract: The preservative excavation in the area between the inner and outer walls of the medieval lawn of Cazin, on its northwest side (about 20 m in width), was performed in 199 I (Plan I l. The square units differ in size and are adjusted to configuration of the terrain with the average sloping of about 45°. The depth of the cultural strata underneath the recent humus varies between 10 and 185 cm. The subsoil is composed of yellow clay. Mixed within the cultural strata arc (mostly ceramic) finds dating back to different periods. The strata arc completely mixed so that pieces of recent fabric and a larger piece of plastic foil were found in square II (Plan 2. NW profile 3-4). Fixed find s comprise the remains of a small stave with calotte and a bonfire (Plan 2, 1-2), as well as a number of oval and ellipsoid recesses (diameter 1.80-2.80 m, depth about 045 m) that might be remains of a sad-house settlement, although other elements supporting this assumption have not been found. The lack of stratigraphic data has considerably impeded the classification of finds from individual periods. Eneolithic. Belonging to the Lasinje culture are, as assumed, a small flint arrow (T. Il, 10) and amulet from black, shiny polished stone (T . II, 9) , as well as 490 fragments of ceramics out of which 112 fragments were, although lacking the whole profile, possible to ascribe to certain types of pots CT. I). The table shows the ratio of reductively and oxidatively fired fragments, as well as the kind s and combinations of ornaments. Motifs of the ornaments are relatively diverse, but none is preserved as a whole (T. II-VI), which in addition to the lack of stratigraphic determinants, makes establishing of the chronological position of the settlement ever more difficult. It could be assumed that the settlement existed in the period of II A. and perhaps II B stage of the Lasinje culture according to S. Dimitrijević, although some characteristic elements are still missing. Ascribed to the Vučedol culture finds are only 14 fragments, three of them decorated with engravings but without the white incrustation (T. VII. 1-3), probably fragments of bowls as well (T. VII, 4-5) and atypical fragments decorated in barbatine technique CT. VII, 6-7) . Due to the lac k of stratigraphic indicators, it is not possible to establish a relation between the Vučedol fragments and those of the Lasinje culture. The accepted assumption is that these fragments belong to the so-called late-classical phase (stage B2) when a powerful expansion of the Vučedol culture takes place in the northwestern part of Bosnia. It is here regarded as the west-Bosnian or Hrustova ča type. Of specIal importance is a ceramic fragment with very delicately engraved sign (T. VII, 8). Each of the three basic elements: circle, rhombi and cross (or swastika) are related to the solar cult, so that the motif as a whole represents a solar symbol. Given that the strata of the town of Cazin are mixed, the question of what period it should be ascribed to still remains open. As for the LLlle Bronze and the older Iron Age. it was possible to date 190 artefacts to them with certainty . ln addition to pots, among them are also coils (T. X, 4 and 9). Two fragments perhaps once belonging to portable stoves, a fragment of a pyramidal weight, whereas cl larger whorl (T. X, ll) was found on the surface. The fragments of pots were mostly oxidatively fired (115). The reductive firing that is present to a smaller degree (80 fragments) predominates in the case of transitional and more exquisite fragments. None of the profiles is preserved as a whole (T. VIII). The pots were mod estly decorated by: flutes CT. VIII, 3; IX, 4-5; X, 8-9), faceting CT. VIII, 4, 14-15, 17; lX, 2), diagonal notehes on brims, glued ribbons (T. VIII, 1, 11-13). This all fits into the finds of this period from other close or more distant locations in the region. Based on the established ceramographic details, the foundation of the settlement on the old town of Cazin can be placed approximately in the very end of Ha B2 and beginning of Ha B3, whereas it appears that it still existed till the developed Iron Age (Ha C). La Tene. Found are several fragments of fine grey or rougher black-grey ceramics made on the potter 's wheel (T. XI, 1-8) and two fragments of glass bracelets (T. XI, 9-10), whereas the finds from the Roman period are reduced to a fragment of the bottom of ceramic pot (T. XI. 12) and, perhaps, a small fragment of glass (T. XI, 1 l). These modest finds, as based on analogy, mainly date back from the later La Tene, that is approximately the period between the mid ISI century B. C. and the first decades of the I SI century A. D. Final remark. The preservative excavation in one of the rare multi-Iayered archaeological sites in the outermost north-west of Bosnia has moved the limits of our knowledge about the past of the arca of the River Una middle course far back to the third millennium B. C. The first Eneolithic settlement in this area was discovered, thus expanding the range of spreading of the Lasinje culture to the south. Also established is the presence of the Vučedol culture of Hrustovača type in the outermost western part of Bosnia. Another settlement of "gradina" type was registered, dating back from the end of the late Bronze Age and the early Iron Age. First fragments of fine, grey Celtic ceramics were found in the wider area of the middle course of Una. At the same time, due to the fact that the archaeological finds from the explored area are completely mixed, the results of the excavation are incomplete. This location could provide answers for solving of the problem of the Lasinje genesis (in relation to the Hvar culture) and its relation to the Lika area and the area further towards the Adriatic coast, but it could also contribute to solving of relations between the Lasinje and Vučedol cultural strata. In the late Bronze Age and older Iron Age, we could expect to solve the issue of the northern and northwestern border of Yapods, that is the area that was occupied by Colapians. Answers to the stated questions could be found through further research in parts of this site (perhaps the central part of the upper plateau of the town - within the medieval town walls) where we could possibly expect to find at least partly intact strata.

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