Рановизантијско утврђење Градина-Лисина на западном Копаонику
The early byzantine fortification Gradina-Lisina, on the west Kopaonik

Summary/Abstract: The Gradina-Lisina site is located on the west side of the Kopaonik mountain, in the municipality of Raška, from where there is a spectacular view toward the west, and Kozija glava, Tiodže and part of the Radošića village could be controlled. The view also extends to the important communication line toward what is today Kosovo, as well as the site Gradina in Donja Rudnica, around 4.5 km away. The fortress is in the shape of an irregular triangle, with the approximate orientation NE-SW. It is narrowest around the entrance, and widest on the west side, where the terrain is inaccessible due to a steep ravine. There were no remnants of towers, but the impression is that there might have been one near the entrance. Trench-like smaller depression before the entrance points to the existence of a dry trench by the entrance. Bulwarks, preserved only in several rows of stones, were founded on live rock and built of crushed stone in irregular layers. Whitish limestone mortar was used as sorder. Archaeological research was done with just three stratigraphic probes. Early Byzantine pottery from the 6th and early 7th centuries AD is accompanied with rare metal finds: a ring, half of the horseshoe for cattle, and several pieces of slag. The only coin found is a piece coined in Viminacium during the 3rd century AD. The metal slag points that mining was an important part of the economic activity of the inhabitants of this fortification. Besides the preserved toponymy, this is also confirmed by the Turkish defters related to the Brvenik nahija, dated 1519, 1533, and 1548. This Early Byzantine fort confirms general characteristics of contemporary fortifications. It has a free basis, adjusted to the terrain configuration, and with access from one side only. It is simply built, with the material available at the site, and with simple constructing solutions, devoid of any unnecessary aesthetic details. When Kopaonik becomes an important mining region, it probably influenced the development of a network of local roads, in order to exploit and transport the ore. A number of Early Byzantine forts points to the importance of the communication link through the valley of the Ibar river. From this link, at the extension of the leg from Novi Pazar, there was a road through what is today a village of Šipačino, to Suvo Rudište, then crossing the ridge of Kopaonik, and descending to the village of Đerekare, and then going through Kuršumlija and Prokuplje to Niš, where it hit the “Constantinople Road.” The fact that today’s direction originates from the Early Byzantine period , if not earlier, is confirmed by the Gradina in Lisina, as well as the fortification in Đerekare, where the mentioned communication link went.

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