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Research Interests: Palaeolithic Archaeology, Mesolithic Archaeology, Balkan prehistory, and Palaeolithic Europe, Palaeolithic archaeology, Mesolithic archaeology, Prehistoric transitions, Environmental archaeology, Archaeozoology, Pleistocene fauna, Palaeoclimate, Refugia and recolonisation, Spatial analysis, Palaeolithic art and symbolism
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The Central Balkans represents a significant geographical gap in the human fossil record of Eurasia. Here we present two new human fossils from Pešturina Cave, Serbia: a partial atlas vertebra (C1) and a fragment of radial diaphysis. The... more
The Central Balkans represents a significant geographical gap in the human fossil record of Eurasia. Here we present two new human fossils from Pešturina Cave, Serbia: a partial atlas vertebra (C1) and a fragment of radial diaphysis. The atlas (Pes-1) derives from the lower portion of Layer 2 and conforms to modern human morphology. This layer is characterized by Gravettian industry despite uncertainties caused by bioturbation and difficulties in separating Layers 2 and 3. The radial fragment (Pes-2) was recovered from the contact zone between Layers 3 and 4, both of which represent Mousterian industries, and is tentatively assessed as Neanderthal based on morphology. With the recent publication of a Neanderthal molar (Pes-3) from the same site, Pešturina currently stands as the only Neanderthal fossil-bearing site in Serbia. These additional finds make Pešturina Cave the only site in the Central Balkans which preserves both modern human and Neanderthal remains with associated lithic industries and highlights the importance of Pešturina in the current discourse on hominin dispersals and migrations in the Balkans.
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This paper describes several Palaeolithic open air sites found while surveying the northeastern slopes of Goč Mountain in Central Serbia. These sites were found in close proximity to primary deposits of flint, opal and chalcedony on the... more
This paper describes several Palaeolithic open air sites found while
surveying the northeastern slopes of Goč Mountain in Central Serbia. These sites
were found in close proximity to primary deposits of flint, opal and chalcedony on
the slopes of Rudno Brdo and Grot. These hills are located in an area of volcanic–
sediments in the village of Dublje and on the second Pleistocene terrace (t2) of
the Zapadna Morava River in the village of Ruđinci near Vrnjačka Banja.
Survey was conducted using transects with 5m spacing while artifact
concentrations were recorded using a hand–held GPS unit. In order to reduce the
possibility of collecting geofacts (Wisniewski et al. 2014), only materials clearly
identifiable as artifacts were collected.
Artifacts from open air sites near the raw material deposits (Slatinski
Potok, Crnobarac, Nišan) as well as from the village of Dublje (Gvozdenac),
largely consisted of Lower Palaeolithic materials (unipolar, alternate and
centripetal cores, scrapers and denticulate tools on irregular flakes), although
some possible Middle Palaeolithic pieces were present. Slatinski Potok and
Nišan had massive bifacially flaked artifacts, while artifacts from Slatinski Potok
included one typical cleaver. On the other hand, Middle Palaeolithic artifacts are
clearly present in Ruđinci.
While some of the material from the survey resembles Acheulean lithic
technology, such hypotheses must be confirmed by finding these artifacts in open
air sites with preserved stratigraphy.
surveying the northeastern slopes of Goč Mountain in Central Serbia. These sites
were found in close proximity to primary deposits of flint, opal and chalcedony on
the slopes of Rudno Brdo and Grot. These hills are located in an area of volcanic–
sediments in the village of Dublje and on the second Pleistocene terrace (t2) of
the Zapadna Morava River in the village of Ruđinci near Vrnjačka Banja.
Survey was conducted using transects with 5m spacing while artifact
concentrations were recorded using a hand–held GPS unit. In order to reduce the
possibility of collecting geofacts (Wisniewski et al. 2014), only materials clearly
identifiable as artifacts were collected.
Artifacts from open air sites near the raw material deposits (Slatinski
Potok, Crnobarac, Nišan) as well as from the village of Dublje (Gvozdenac),
largely consisted of Lower Palaeolithic materials (unipolar, alternate and
centripetal cores, scrapers and denticulate tools on irregular flakes), although
some possible Middle Palaeolithic pieces were present. Slatinski Potok and
Nišan had massive bifacially flaked artifacts, while artifacts from Slatinski Potok
included one typical cleaver. On the other hand, Middle Palaeolithic artifacts are
clearly present in Ruđinci.
While some of the material from the survey resembles Acheulean lithic
technology, such hypotheses must be confirmed by finding these artifacts in open
air sites with preserved stratigraphy.
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Within the realization of the project of investigations of Palaeolithic sites in the Niš basin in July 2017, there were published trench excavations in the cave of Jelašnica 2 (Pećina kod stene) in the Jelašnica Gorge. A 2 x 1 m trench... more
Within the realization of the project of investigations of Palaeolithic sites
in the Niš basin in July 2017, there were published trench excavations in the cave
of Jelašnica 2 (Pećina kod stene) in the Jelašnica Gorge. A 2 x 1 m trench was
opened in the cave which was explored up to the depth of 1,6 m.
Excavations included examination of four geological layers where Palaeolithic
artefacts were found together with the remains of Pleistocene fauna. In the
upper layers (2, 2b) the excavations confirmed the presence of backed bladelets
and a short scraper on the flake, while in lower layers (2c1, 2c2), besides backed
bladelets, they confirmed the presence of truncated backed bladelets and a point
whose tip and partly base were ventrally thinned by a shallow surface retouch. All
the layers are dominated by the remains of Capra ibex, but there are also remains
of bovids (Bos/Bison), deers (Cervus elaphus), hares (Lepus sp.) and carnivores:
wolf (Canis lupus), foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and bears (Ursus sp., Ursus spelaeus).
The remains of birds have been found at the limit between the layers 2 and 2b and
in layers 2c1 and 2c2.
According to the presence of characteristic tools, it has been supposed that
the findings from the lower layers (2c1, 2c2) belong to the Gravettian, while the remains
from upper layers (2, 2b) probably originate from the Epigravettian. Although
the age of findings still cannot be precisely defined, it is already clear that the site
represents a multi-layered Gravettian-Epigravettian site, which is so far the only one
discovered in this part of Serbia. This has confirmed the hypothesis that in gorges
and canyons at the very margin of the river valleys and basins we can expect the
sites form the Late Upper Palaeolithic and possibly from the Mesolithic (Mihailović,
forthcoming). There are several indications that the Balkans at the height of the Last
glacial period represented a refugium, not only for flora and fauna, but also for human
communities. Judging by the remains from Pećina kod stene, but also by the
other Gravettian sites in the Central Balkans, hunter-gatherer communities started to
visit gorges and canyons more often for hunting game, ibex at the first place.
in the Niš basin in July 2017, there were published trench excavations in the cave
of Jelašnica 2 (Pećina kod stene) in the Jelašnica Gorge. A 2 x 1 m trench was
opened in the cave which was explored up to the depth of 1,6 m.
Excavations included examination of four geological layers where Palaeolithic
artefacts were found together with the remains of Pleistocene fauna. In the
upper layers (2, 2b) the excavations confirmed the presence of backed bladelets
and a short scraper on the flake, while in lower layers (2c1, 2c2), besides backed
bladelets, they confirmed the presence of truncated backed bladelets and a point
whose tip and partly base were ventrally thinned by a shallow surface retouch. All
the layers are dominated by the remains of Capra ibex, but there are also remains
of bovids (Bos/Bison), deers (Cervus elaphus), hares (Lepus sp.) and carnivores:
wolf (Canis lupus), foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and bears (Ursus sp., Ursus spelaeus).
The remains of birds have been found at the limit between the layers 2 and 2b and
in layers 2c1 and 2c2.
According to the presence of characteristic tools, it has been supposed that
the findings from the lower layers (2c1, 2c2) belong to the Gravettian, while the remains
from upper layers (2, 2b) probably originate from the Epigravettian. Although
the age of findings still cannot be precisely defined, it is already clear that the site
represents a multi-layered Gravettian-Epigravettian site, which is so far the only one
discovered in this part of Serbia. This has confirmed the hypothesis that in gorges
and canyons at the very margin of the river valleys and basins we can expect the
sites form the Late Upper Palaeolithic and possibly from the Mesolithic (Mihailović,
forthcoming). There are several indications that the Balkans at the height of the Last
glacial period represented a refugium, not only for flora and fauna, but also for human
communities. Judging by the remains from Pećina kod stene, but also by the
other Gravettian sites in the Central Balkans, hunter-gatherer communities started to
visit gorges and canyons more often for hunting game, ibex at the first place.
Research Interests:
The excavations of Branko Gavela in the Risovača Cave near Aranđelovac and in Jerinina's Cave near Kragujevac during the 1950s marked the beginning of the systematic exploration of the Palaeolithic in Serbia. Explorations at Risovača... more
The excavations of Branko Gavela in the Risovača Cave near Aranđelovac and in Jerinina's
Cave near Kragujevac during the 1950s marked the beginning of the systematic exploration
of the Palaeolithic in Serbia. Explorations at Risovača lasted, with interruptions,
from 1955 to 1977. The excavations, during which all the sediment was removed from the
cave, encompassed the examination of several layers with abundant remains of Pleistocene
fauna, especially bones of carnivores. A small number of chipped stone artefacts were discovered
in layer 6. The layer has been determined in the Würm interstadial 1-2, while two
14C dates were obtained for the layer above: 36,400 ± 6,000 (Z-1296) and 31,100 ± 2,800 BP
(Z-1297) (Димитријевић 1997: 185). The artefacts were attributed to the Szeletian (Гавела
1969; Гавела 1988) but were never published integrally and in detail.
It was established that the collection from Risovača contained one core formed on a Levallois
flake, one unretouched blade and flake and 12 retouched artefacts. Five artefacts were
made from quartz and the others from various types of chert. Denticulate tools were by far
the predominant type (5 pieces), besides one side-scraper, a raclette, a Mousterian point, an
irregular steeply retouched bladelet and a borer. The collection also includes two bifacially
knapped leaf-points, of which only one was available for analysis. Both points were elongated
and relatively large (87 mm and 109 mm); one was broader at the base and the other,
shaped like a willow leaf, was a little wider in the middle.
Analyses have shown that the entire collection can be linked with the Szeletian and the
Middle Palaeolithic industries with leaf-shaped points in the Lower Danubian Basin, but
that it also had parallels with other locations in the Balkans where bifacial elements are
found. In light of the fact that leaf-shaped points were discovered recently on the locality
of the Šalitrena Cave - terrace (Mihailović et al. 2014) and Koceljeva (Шарић 2012), the assumption
was made that, at the end of the Middle Palaeolithic, these industries were widespread
not only in central and eastern Europe, but also in the peri-Pannonian part of the
Balkans. There are strong indications that the presence of blades and bladelets was not the
result of the mixing of layers, but that the industry had a transitional character. This significantly
changes the picture of the cultural and demographic circumstances in the northern
Balkans in the periods before and after the settlement of the bearers of the Aurignacian technocomplex.
Cave near Kragujevac during the 1950s marked the beginning of the systematic exploration
of the Palaeolithic in Serbia. Explorations at Risovača lasted, with interruptions,
from 1955 to 1977. The excavations, during which all the sediment was removed from the
cave, encompassed the examination of several layers with abundant remains of Pleistocene
fauna, especially bones of carnivores. A small number of chipped stone artefacts were discovered
in layer 6. The layer has been determined in the Würm interstadial 1-2, while two
14C dates were obtained for the layer above: 36,400 ± 6,000 (Z-1296) and 31,100 ± 2,800 BP
(Z-1297) (Димитријевић 1997: 185). The artefacts were attributed to the Szeletian (Гавела
1969; Гавела 1988) but were never published integrally and in detail.
It was established that the collection from Risovača contained one core formed on a Levallois
flake, one unretouched blade and flake and 12 retouched artefacts. Five artefacts were
made from quartz and the others from various types of chert. Denticulate tools were by far
the predominant type (5 pieces), besides one side-scraper, a raclette, a Mousterian point, an
irregular steeply retouched bladelet and a borer. The collection also includes two bifacially
knapped leaf-points, of which only one was available for analysis. Both points were elongated
and relatively large (87 mm and 109 mm); one was broader at the base and the other,
shaped like a willow leaf, was a little wider in the middle.
Analyses have shown that the entire collection can be linked with the Szeletian and the
Middle Palaeolithic industries with leaf-shaped points in the Lower Danubian Basin, but
that it also had parallels with other locations in the Balkans where bifacial elements are
found. In light of the fact that leaf-shaped points were discovered recently on the locality
of the Šalitrena Cave - terrace (Mihailović et al. 2014) and Koceljeva (Шарић 2012), the assumption
was made that, at the end of the Middle Palaeolithic, these industries were widespread
not only in central and eastern Europe, but also in the peri-Pannonian part of the
Balkans. There are strong indications that the presence of blades and bladelets was not the
result of the mixing of layers, but that the industry had a transitional character. This significantly
changes the picture of the cultural and demographic circumstances in the northern
Balkans in the periods before and after the settlement of the bearers of the Aurignacian technocomplex.
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Crvena Stijena represents one of the key Middle Paleolithic sites in southeastern Europe. In the course of earlier investigations, the upper part of the Mousterian sequence was excavated on two occasions: in 1956 and 1958 by M. Brodar and... more
Crvena Stijena represents one of the key Middle Paleolithic sites in southeastern Europe. In the course of earlier investigations, the upper part of the Mousterian sequence was excavated on two occasions: in 1956 and 1958 by M. Brodar and from 1961 to 1964 by Ð. Basler. Materials from these campaigns were published separately and interpreted differently. After re-analysis of all these materials, it has been established that the artifact assemblages can not be directly assigned to any of the traditional facies (Denticulate Mousterian, Micromousterian, etc.), but rather to an undifferentiated (non-Levallois) facies of Typical Mousterian, which is characterized by pronounced expedient technology based on the exploitation of local raw materials and the application of ad hoc methods of core reduction and the preparation of tools. This re-analysis pointed out especially that in the final Mousterian at Crvena Stijena, as at several other sites in the Adriatic-Ionian region, blade/bladelet technology and Uluzzian elements (flaking of blades and bladelets from unipolar or bipolar cores on flakes, splintered pieces, backed tools) are present. This seems to indicate continuity and connection among cultural phenomena over the entire Adriatic-Ionian region during MIS3 and suggests the possibility that the Uluzzian might have spread from the southern Balkans towards Italy along the southern rim of the " Great Adriatic Plain, " all of which could have belonged to a single " social territory. "
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This paper presents the results of excavations conducted in Sept. 2013 in Seocka pećina, in the near vicinity of the Skadar Lake. A Mesolithic level, dated by radiocarbon to the late 9th – early 8th millennium cal. BC was discovered, in... more
This paper presents the results of excavations conducted in Sept. 2013 in Seocka pećina, in
the near vicinity of the Skadar Lake. A Mesolithic level, dated by radiocarbon to the late 9th – early 8th
millennium cal. BC was discovered, in addition to several finds belonging to the Bronze Age. Although
spatially limited, these results are important as they provide a first glimpse of the Mesolithic settlement
pattern and associated activities in this under-investigated part of Montenegro.
the near vicinity of the Skadar Lake. A Mesolithic level, dated by radiocarbon to the late 9th – early 8th
millennium cal. BC was discovered, in addition to several finds belonging to the Bronze Age. Although
spatially limited, these results are important as they provide a first glimpse of the Mesolithic settlement
pattern and associated activities in this under-investigated part of Montenegro.