Japodic settlement (?) ‘Gradina’ in Ripač

Abstract

Hill ‘Gradina’ is placed at the right side of river bank Una, closely to the centre of Ripač village. Of the four test trenches, vvithout any findings were trenches I-III, while the trench IV (5x1,5 m), North-South oriented, excavated to the subsoil on the depth of 3,32 m; gave prehistorically material that respond to findings from the settlement. The impression is that fortification wall (?) of this hill-fort settlement (oriented NW-SE) have been cut. Levee of cracked stones, that represents the core of the fort-wall, is strongly cut on the north side, where the layer was solely filled by pottery fragments and animal bones. So it was  assumed that there was a trash pit (or some ditch), buried into northern side of the wall on upper and into subsoil on lower side. Through the whole depth of the trench appeared lumps of burned earth (burned clay-house plaster). Some of those had  very regular shape,  dimension 15x15 cm, alike to burned bricks. Only basis for the cultural and chronological determination of assumed settlement, are fragments of pottery, whose analysis and comparisons with corresponding objects from the Japodic necropolises of the Una valley, and pile dvvelling settlements of Otoka and Ripač, and fort-hill settlement at Kekića Glavica, we have approximate time scope presented trough the sediment layers in the test trench number IV. Undoubtedly seems, that the oldest layers (material from the pit, especially objects from the T.V, 1-16.) sediment during 4th and first half of the 3rd. Century B.C. It has to be emphasize that pottery from the trench IV, have proportionally small comparison in pottery of the next phase  IV(250-110 B.C.) because there aren’t much forms from this phase preserved on necropolis, so the material from the trench IV positivelv shows permanence. For the next period (phase Vaand b-110 B.C to 10/20. A.D. on necropolis) also there are enough  correspondence with pottery from Gradina in Ripač. Even though some pottery fragments from the trench IV can be related 
vvith a types documented in phase VI (10/20-110. A.D.), at necropolis, those are the forms with origins from the previous  development. As in trench IV on Gradina, vvasn’t found any element, that surely could ascribe to the period of roman occupation, reflection seems acquit, that this site is abandoned during second half of Ist Century, maybe during Octavian’s  conquest of lapods lands at 35 B.C., or after that. its has to be stressed that settlement remains from Gradina can be attributed to Japods, because it’s position in Bihać field, but also by ceramic objects relation, as a main indicator of ethnic affiliation , in  comparison vvith archaeological material from the neighbouring iapodic necropolis and pile dvvelling settlement of Otoka and Ripač. In regard to fort-hill settlement of Kekića Glavica near Bosanska Krupa, there are certain similarities and relations, but vvithout further examination and material comparisons with other settlements from Bihać and Una region, we can’t make more judgments. As in Bosnia and Herzegovina colloquial expression ‘'Gradina” in a most cases, indicate remains of prehistorically  settlements, as it seems that Gradina in Ripač is the same case. Unmoved sediments (over 2m thick) from one side, and contents of objects, as lids, fragment of millstone, hoe or pickaxe of horn, vvhich are objects applicable for the settlement, on the other, justify that trače of an late iron age settlement is discovered by the test trench IV. Hovvever, small examine area and unclear direction of supposed fort-vvall, as the unclear relation betvveen layers in the trench IV and the surface where the
graves from quite older period vvere discovered (Plani), are causing certain caution in declaration of this site as a prehistoric  site. Further systematic research of a larger scope of this area of this specific site, could offer us resolution of mentioned
problems and questions.