Kale-Krševica
Encyclopedia
Kale-Krševica is an Ancient Macedonian
archaeological site of more than 4 hectares and so far some 1,000 squares have been excavated with a former fortified town in the hills of Krševica
overlooking Bujanovac
and Vranje
, to the south of Ristovac
in southern Serbia
. It has a history back to the 13th century BC as a settlement with elements of an acropolis
, but main preserved characteristics is from the Greek-mediterranean style urban town in the 5th or 4th century BC (Bronze Age
) with stone walls and necropolis
. Finds of coins of Philip II
, Alexander III, Cassander
, Demetrios Poliorketes and Pelagia
correspond in general to the chronological span of the archaeological material discovered so far in the course of excavations and may be considered the northernmost Ancient Macedonian
city. The Paeonian tribe of Agrianes
dwelled in this region, the Scordisci
are believed to have razed the town to the ground in 279 BC. The town had at least 3,000 inhabitants in the 4th and 3rd century.
The town had a exceptionally strategic position on a plateau that descends from the Rujan mountain towards the South Morava and Vranje valley. At the slopes of the plateau is a village where houses often have stone blocks from the ancient settlement. Its acropolis and suburbium encompasses 4 hectares extended to the valley of Krševička river.
Dr. Petar Popović from the Institute of Archeology in Belgrade
says that the site could be the ancient city of Damastion
.
and Alexander the Great valued at €50,000 each, Brnjica culture
pottery of the early Iron Age (1200 BC).
A textile industry.
In 2001 the research around the site took a new turn with cooperation between the Belgrade Archeological Institute,
National Museum of Serbia
, Vranje National Museum and the University of Belgrade
Faculty of Philosophy
.
.
Identical finds of pottery are in Cernica
, Gadimlje, Oraovica
and in the Skopje
basin.
Ancient Macedonian
Ancient Macedonian can refer to:*Ancient Macedonians, inhabitants of Macedon*Ancient Macedonian language...
archaeological site of more than 4 hectares and so far some 1,000 squares have been excavated with a former fortified town in the hills of Krševica
Krševica
Krševica is a village in the municipality of Bujanovac of the Pčinja District, Serbia. According to the 2002 there were 486 people . The archaeological site of Kale-Krševica is located in the village, the remnations of a 5th century BC Ancient Greek Macedon city....
overlooking Bujanovac
Bujanovac
Bujanovac is a town and municipality in Pčinja District of southern Serbia, located at the South Morava basin.It is known for its source of mineral water, so it is also known as Bujanovačka Banja ....
and Vranje
Vranje
Vranje is a city and municipality located in southern Serbia. In 2011 the city has total population of 82,782, while the urban area has 54,456...
, to the south of Ristovac
Ristovac
Ristovac is a small town in the Municipality of Vranje located in the Pčinja District of south-east Serbia. Ristovac has 342 according to the 2002 census....
in southern Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
. It has a history back to the 13th century BC as a settlement with elements of an acropolis
Acropolis
Acropolis means "high city" in Greek, literally city on the extremity and is usually translated into English as Citadel . For purposes of defense, early people naturally chose elevated ground to build a new settlement, frequently a hill with precipitous sides...
, but main preserved characteristics is from the Greek-mediterranean style urban town in the 5th or 4th century BC (Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
) with stone walls and necropolis
Necropolis
A necropolis is a large cemetery or burial ground, usually including structural tombs. The word comes from the Greek νεκρόπολις - nekropolis, literally meaning "city of the dead"...
. Finds of coins of Philip II
Philip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon "friend" + ἵππος "horse" — transliterated ; 382 – 336 BC), was a king of Macedon from 359 BC until his assassination in 336 BC. He was the father of Alexander the Great and Philip III.-Biography:...
, Alexander III, Cassander
Cassander
Cassander , King of Macedonia , was a son of Antipater, and founder of the Antipatrid dynasty...
, Demetrios Poliorketes and Pelagia
Pelagia
Pelagia can refer to:* Saint Pelagia, of Antioch, who leapt to her death from a housetop* Pelagia of Tarsus, who was burnt to death* Pelagia was the secular name of Marina the Monk* Sister Pelagia, heroine of novels by Boris Akunin...
correspond in general to the chronological span of the archaeological material discovered so far in the course of excavations and may be considered the northernmost Ancient Macedonian
Ancient Macedonian
Ancient Macedonian can refer to:*Ancient Macedonians, inhabitants of Macedon*Ancient Macedonian language...
city. The Paeonian tribe of Agrianes
Agrianes
The Agrianians a Paeonian-Thracian tribe, who chiefly inhabited the area of present-day Northeastern statistical region of Republic Of Macedonia and Pčinja District of southern Serbia, north of the Thracian Maedi tribe, who were situated in what is now the Greek region of Macedonia and Western...
dwelled in this region, the Scordisci
Scordisci
The Scordisci were an Iron Age tribe centered in the territory of present-day Serbia, at the confluence of the Savus , Dravus and Danube rivers. They were historically notable from the beginning of the third century BC until the turn of the common era...
are believed to have razed the town to the ground in 279 BC. The town had at least 3,000 inhabitants in the 4th and 3rd century.
The town had a exceptionally strategic position on a plateau that descends from the Rujan mountain towards the South Morava and Vranje valley. At the slopes of the plateau is a village where houses often have stone blocks from the ancient settlement. Its acropolis and suburbium encompasses 4 hectares extended to the valley of Krševička river.
Dr. Petar Popović from the Institute of Archeology in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
says that the site could be the ancient city of Damastion
Damastion
Damastion was an ancient city in the area of central Balkans. Various sites in Serbia and Macedonia and Albania have been considered as the location of this ancient town....
.
Findings
The first findings were recorded in 1966. Besides the foundations of the 13th century BC town, the 4th century BC findings are Hydriai, painted Kantharoi and Skyphoi, 25 very rare golden coins from the time of Philip IIPhilip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon "friend" + ἵππος "horse" — transliterated ; 382 – 336 BC), was a king of Macedon from 359 BC until his assassination in 336 BC. He was the father of Alexander the Great and Philip III.-Biography:...
and Alexander the Great valued at €50,000 each, Brnjica culture
Brnjica culture
The Brnjica culture is an archaeological culture in present-day Serbia dating from 1400 BC.The cultural group formed out of this culture are the Moesi, a Daco-Thracian tribe formed in the Roman province of Moesia of present-day central Serbia...
pottery of the early Iron Age (1200 BC).
A textile industry.
In 2001 the research around the site took a new turn with cooperation between the Belgrade Archeological Institute,
National Museum of Serbia
National Museum of Serbia
The National Museum is the largest and oldest museum in Serbia. It is located in Republic Square, Belgrade, Serbia. The museum was established on May 10, 1844. Since it was founded, its collections have to over 400,000 objects including many foreign masterpieces...
, Vranje National Museum and the University of Belgrade
University of Belgrade
The University of Belgrade is the oldest and largest university of Serbia.Founded in 1808 as the Belgrade Higher School in revolutionary Serbia, by 1838 it merged with the Kragujevac-based departments into a single university...
Faculty of Philosophy
University of Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy
The University of Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Serbia, founded in the early 19th century within the Belgrade Higher School...
.
.
Identical finds of pottery are in Cernica
Cernica
Cernica is a commune in the southeast part of Ilfov County, Romania, with a population of 9,425 as of 2002. It is composed of five villages: Bălăceanca, Căldăraru, Cernica, Poşta and Tânganu, several villages on the bank of lake Cernica...
, Gadimlje, Oraovica
Oraovica
Oraovica is a village near Preševo, southern Serbia. About 8000 people live in the village.In May 2001, the town was attacked and occupied by the Albanian guerilla UÇPMB, but was 2 days later liberated by the Serbian Army, who killed several guerillas making the 200-300 insurgents leave the...
and in the Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
basin.