Trmun and the Emergence of Hillforts in Karst and Istria during the Early Bronze Age
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3986/AV.77.08Keywords:
Trieste Karst, Early Bronze Age, Castellieri culture, hillfort, fortification wall, potteryAbstract
This paper presents the hillfort of Trmun, located in the northernmost part of the Istrian peninsula, southeast of Trieste/Trst. Investigated in 2022, the site was first surveyed using non-invasive methods (LiDAR and ground-penetrating radar), followed by targeted excavations. The surveys identified the extent of the hillfort and its defensive wall; radar also detected the remains of a square modern tower. Excavations covering approximately 300 m² at the summit of the Trmun hill established the presence of an Early Bronze Age hillfort enclosed by a dry-stone wall. The finds are comparable to the earliest ceramics from nearby Karst and Istrian sites. Radiocarbon dating of bone samples confirmed attribution to the Early Bronze Age, with dates ranging from ca. 1900 to 1550 BCE. Combined with pottery characteristics, the data suggests an occupation span of 200–300 years. These early dates, together with the few from other sites in the Trieste area, indicate that such hillforts emerged concurrently with those in southern Istria, contributing to the research on the origins of the Castellieri culture.
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