Monkodonja, a Bronze Age hillfort, was occupied between approximately 1850/1750-1500/1450 BC in the region of Istria, near Rovinj, Croatia. Positioned at an elevation of 81 meters above sea level, the hillfort takes the shape of an irregular ellipse, stretching 250 meters in length and 160 meters in width. It was enclosed by three concentric walls, with exploration revealing two entrances known as the Western and Northern Gates. These dry stone walls, reminiscent of Mycenaean architecture, were part of a defensive structure approximately 1 kilometer long, 3 meters wide, and at least 3 meters tall. The removal of stone for these walls led to the creation of a flat plateau. Within the hillfort's vicinity, discoveries included Bronze Age pottery, a neolithic burial in a nearby cave, and Bronze Age cist graves near the Western Gate. Housing about 1,000 residents, Monkodonja comprised distinct zones—a towering acropolis for the elite, an upper town, and a lower town, each serving specific functions. Crafting areas were scattered throughout, while houses varied in position, size, and construction, equipped with hearths and containing locally crafted pottery fragments. Monkodonja served as a crucial nexus linking the northern Adriatic to Central Europe and the Aegean, evident in findings like the enigmatic 'loaf-of-bread idols,' highlighting its integration into an extensive Bronze Age communication network. Abandoned around the mid-15th century BC due to a fire-related military event, Monkodonja remained uninhabited during the Late Bronze and Iron Ages. Sparse visits during the Roman Empire era, noted by the discovery of a 13 BC silver denarius of Emperor Augustus, marked intermittent activity at the site.

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Monkodonja - Wikipedia

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Inserted: 10-12-2023 23:12:33