by Lulzim Osmanaj. Translation Petrit Latifi

Around 1100 BC, a demand for iron in larger quantities appeared in southern and southeastern Europe. During this period, the Etruscans showed the greatest interest in it. In southern Pannonia and northwestern Dalmatia, iron was extracted by the Iapodes, Mesians, Desidiates and other miners and metallurgists.

The earliest evidence of iron ore processing in the Dalmatian region comes from Podi in Čipuljić (Bugojno) and dates back to around 1000 BC. Iron was used in significant quantities in the late 8th and 7th centuries BC. The first iron objects were produced at the settlement of Pod during this time.

Japodian artisans from the Stari Most area in the Una River valley produced iron tools and weapons during the 5th and 4th centuries BC. Before the Romans, copper, lead, and silver were also mined here, in addition to iron.

During the 5th and 4th centuries BC, a metallurgical workshop operated in the area of ​​Sanski Most and another in Vračar Grad near Briševo (near Stari Majdan in the Sana River valley). At the Bronze Age settlement of Ripač near Bihać, ore was smelted using blacksmith’s bellows, from which ceramic pipes have survived. A metallurgical workshop also existed at the La Tène settlement of Cungar near Cazin.

The Delmatians also processed iron, as evidenced by slag heaps from their hill forts (Gradinas): Gradina in Lib, Gradina in Vidoshi, Velika Gradina near Stipanići, Velika Gradina above Donji Rujani, Gradina above Vašarovine (Tomislavgrad, Gradina in Rašmočke), Livno, Negoćina in western Herzegovina, Gradina above Gorica (Gropë) near Gruda and others.

Iron slag from Gradina in Ošanići near Stolac in eastern Herzegovina, as well as cast molds, are evidence that the Daorsi were also involved in iron processing in the last three centuries BC.

The Illyrian Guide’s Court Art Workshop

In the border regions of southeastern and eastern Dalmatia, masks, gold bracelets and sandals, massive silver belts, silver fibulae and other forms of jewelry were found in the tombs of Illyrian leaders (Trebenište, Novi Pazar, Atenica, etc.).

Between approximately 540 and 470 BC, the so-called court workshops of the Illyrian dynasties operated in this area, where Greek jewelry was repaired.

References

See R. J. FORBES, Technology IX, 263-264: J. F. HEALY, Mining, 63.
See J. F. HEALY, Mining, 63.
See B. ČOVIĆ, Butmir, 195, 205.
B. ÇOVIC, Butmir, 196.
2 F. FIALA, Glas. Zem. muz., 8 (1896) 219 p.; idem, Glas. Zem. muz. 9 (1897) 281 p.; idem, wise. Mitt. Bos. Herz. 6 (1899) 122 (
M. MANDIĆ, Glas, Zem. muz 43 (1931) 1-6.
2Cf. J. ALEXANDER, Yugoslavia, 112.
F. FIALA, Glas. Zem. muz. 8 (1896) 219-272, 302; idem, Glas. Zem. muz. 9 (1897) 301-307; idem, wise. Mitt. Bos. Herz. 6