Big discovery as 7,000-year-old traces of life found on Croatian island of Šćedro

(Photo credit: Prijatelji otoka Šćedro)

New archaeological research on Šćedro, a small island off the south coast of the island of Hvar, has amazed experts with revolutionary findings.

Recent excavations in Ratina Cave have uncovered evidence of life on the island dating back to the Late Neolithic—3,000 years earlier than previously thought, Morski.hr has reported.

A Historic Discovery

The first traces of human activity in Ratina Cave were found in 1923 by renowned archaeologist Grga Novak, who discovered ceramic fragments from the Iron Age.

(Photo credit: Prijatelji otoka Šćedro)

However, the latest research, conducted by Kantharos d.o.o. with the support of the Friends of Šćedro Association and the Municipality of Jelsa, has completely reshaped our understanding of prehistoric life on the island.

Despite the excavation covering just a 1.5 x 1.5-metre area, archaeologists unearthed 250 ceramic fragments, 97 animal bone fragments, 109 shells and marine snails, and four flint artefacts.

Charcoal samples have also been taken for radiocarbon dating to further confirm the age of these discoveries.

(Photo credit: Prijatelji otoka Šćedro)

Neolithic Ceramics and Hvar Culture

The most striking finds were the ceramic fragments, with 67 pieces featuring diagnostic elements characteristic of semi-spherical bowls with ringed rims and partially smoothed surfaces.

These were decorated with incised geometric motifs, linking them directly to the Hvar culture, precisely dated to the 5th millennium BC (5000–4300 BC).

These ceramics closely resemble finds from Grapčeva Cave on Hvar, one of the key Neolithic sites in the eastern Adriatic.

This suggests that Ratina Cave was inhabited at the same time as other major prehistoric locations in the region, raising new questions about its role in settlement networks and trade routes.

Evidence of Ancient Trade Networks

Another significant aspect of the research is the origin of the raw materials used for the stone tools. Preliminary analysis suggests that the material was likely transported from other Adriatic islands and mainland regions, possibly even from across the Adriatic Sea.

This supports the theory that well-developed trade and maritime networks existed in the Neolithic, connecting Hvar, Korčula, Pelješac, and the wider eastern Adriatic region.

Given its strategic position along important maritime routes, Šćedro appears to have been a crucial hub for prehistoric communication and trade.

(Photo credit: Prijatelji otoka Šćedro)

What Lies Ahead?

Although only a small section of the cave has been excavated, the quantity and significance of the finds suggest that this site was either continuously inhabited or used as a seasonal shelter and workspace for an extended period.

The next phase of research will expand excavations to the cave’s access plateau, which, combined with the cave itself, its proximity to the sea, and fertile land, makes it an ideal location for prehistoric communities.

Future research could also uncover traces of the later Hvar-Nakovan culture, which remains insufficiently explored.

These discoveries are not only reshaping our understanding of the Hvar culture but also providing valuable insights into the lives of prehistoric communities along the eastern Adriatic coast.