PHOTOS: Significant archaeological discovery made in cave in southern Croatia

(Photo: Dubrovački Muzeji)

DUBROVNIK, 12 June 2025 – A significant archaeological discovery has been made in the cave Crno jezero (“Black Lake”) above the village of Ponikve on the Pelješac peninsula, revealing that the site served as an Illyrian sanctuary, necropolis, and shelter over thousands of years.

Archaeological research, conducted in late May and early June 2025 by curators from the Archaeological Museum of the Dubrovnik Museums, uncovered a rich array of historical artefacts and human remains spanning several time periods.

The excavation team was led by curator Domagoj Perkić, with archaeologists Krešimir Grbavac and Paula Knego, restorer Sanja Pujo, and external collaborators archaeologist Karmen Butigan and speleologist Nataša Cvitanović from the Ursus Spelaeus caving club.

(Photo: Dubrovački Muzeji)

Crno jezero cave, located beneath a large prehistoric stone mound on Ilino Hill, stretches 238 metres in length and descends to a depth of 94 metres. Due to its prominent location, the cave played an important role in local life for over 4,000 years.

Two small trenches covering a total of approximately 6 m² were opened during the excavation, revealing valuable insights. In the Bronze Age, particularly during the second millennium BC, the cave was likely used as a shelter—either as a refuge during times of conflict or inclement weather, or as seasonal housing.

From the late Bronze Age into the early Iron Age (9th to 6th century BC), parts of the cave functioned as a necropolis. Fragments of human bones, especially skulls found in a stone mound, indicate burial practices by a prehistoric community.

(Photo: Dubrovački Muzeji)

The most intensive use of the cave occurred in the last centuries of the first millennium BC, when Illyrian communities inhabited the region. During this period, Crno jezero was likely used as a sacred site, similar to the well-known Illyrian sanctuaries of Vilina špilja near the Ombla spring or Spila in Nakovana.

A variety of votive offerings were uncovered in the cave’s hidden and less accessible areas, including miniature pottery vessels of both Greek and local origin, typically associated with ritual use in sanctuaries.

These included fine, high-quality Greek pottery—amphorae for storing wine and various types of drinking cups. These items, not used in daily life, symbolised wealth and power and were likely used in religious ceremonies where wine played a central role.

(Photo: Dubrovački Muzeji)

One particularly notable find is a ceramic fragment of what appears to be the head of a Greek deity. Although only the curly hair remains, the fragment is consistent with artefacts found in other Greek and Illyrian religious sites of the period.

Interestingly, the final use of the cave dates back to the 13th century. Deep in its hard-to-reach chambers, human remains from the Late Middle Ages were discovered.

(Photo: Dubrovački Muzeji)

While no artefacts were found alongside the skeletons, radiocarbon dating confirmed the timeframe. The reason for their presence remains uncertain—whether they were deliberately placed there or ended up in the cave by accident remains to be determined.

Despite the limited scale of the excavation, the findings provide a valuable glimpse into the spiritual life, burial customs, and settlement continuity on Pelješac over thousands of years.