Archaeologists uncover Roman and prehistoric sites in Batina
- by croatiaweek
- in News
An ancient settlement and burial site from prehistoric and Roman times has been uncovered near the eastern Croatian settlement of Batina, revealing layers of Baranja’s rich history.
Batina sits on the right bank of the Danube River in the Baranja region.
It grew into a local hub for northeastern Baranja, nestled in the area of Bansko Brdo hill where the slopes descend to meet the Danube.
Complete settlements and tombs have been unearthed not far from the Batina Monument.
For the past 16 years, excavations have been actively conducted there as part of the “Archaeological Heritage of Baranja” programme.
For weeks now, tireless excavation efforts have continued at yet another archaeological site in Baranja, revealing an entire historical cross-section of former life.
“As we head towards the Batina Monument, we encounter a settlement from the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age, along with a Roman fortification that once guarded the Roman Empire’s border, known as the limes. In the graves, we find various vessels that were offered as burial gifts to the deceased,” Tomislav Hršak, Director of the Archaeological Museum of Osijek, told HRT.
It has been known for over a hundred years that this area is rich in archaeological finds. Once a strategically significant region for river trade, the site was identified through old records, making its discovery relatively straightforward.
“We first conducted an archaeological survey of the entire area, essentially walking through fields and meadows, examining the ground to identify potential sites. This allowed us to map out the extent of the settlement and locate the burial ground, which we are now exploring,” added Domagoj Dujmić, Senior Curator at the Archaeological Museum of Osijek.
Batina (Photo: Denis Barthel/CC BY-SA 3.0)
Work on this site is expected to continue for some time, with a portion of the finds already showcased in the exhibition Batina: The Millennial Beacon on the Danube.
“The goal of the Archaeological Museum of Osijek is to promote each excavation site, including this one, through social media and new digital platforms, so that laypeople can understand the heritage we have around us,” noted Benjamin Relić, the museum’s Public Relations Officer.
These latest archaeological discoveries also contribute to a deeper understanding of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Batina is also known as the site of World War II Battle of Batina which took place in November 1944.
