Roman frontier discoveries in eastern Croatia

(Photo credit: Udruga Dolina Mamuta)

MOHOVO, Croatia – New archaeological discoveries in eastern Croatia are shedding light on the region’s role along the frontier of the Roman Empire nearly 2,000 years ago.

At the village of Mohovo, located on the banks of the Danube, researchers have confirmed the presence of deep defensive ditches surrounding a Roman watchtower site.

The findings further underline the strategic importance of this stretch of the river, once a key boundary of the Empire.

According to experts from the Institute of Archaeology, the site was occupied by a small Roman military unit tasked with monitoring movement across the frontier, HRT reported.

While the exact duration of their stay remains unclear, it is believed troops rotated between the watchtower and a nearby military camp in Ilok.

The watchtowers formed part of a wider defensive network along the river. Positioned within sight of one another, they enabled Roman forces to maintain constant surveillance.

Though relatively simple structures, they played a vital role in frontier security.

Archaeologists have identified semi-circular, V-shaped defensive ditches measuring between two and 2.5 metres in depth. These enclosed a central area where a wooden watchtower once stood, typically supported by four posts and reaching heights of up to eight metres.

Excavations continue to uncover artefacts from the Roman period, including coins and fibulae (brooches), offering insight into daily life on the frontier. Among the more notable finds is a Roman fishing hook, believed to have been used on the Danube.

Modern technology is also aiding the research. Geomagnetic surveys are being used to detect subsurface structures before excavation begins, leading to the discovery of another potential watchtower site near Ilok and Šarengrad.

The discoveries have generated pride among residents of Mohovo, placing the small village firmly on the map of significant Roman heritage sites. Local hopes include the eventual reconstruction of a watchtower to showcase the area’s historical importance.

The project forms part of a multi-year initiative funded by Croatia’s Ministry of Culture and Media. Its long-term goal is to protect the sites and secure their inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.