Prehistoric hilltop settlements in the Posavje Hills

Abstract

The article presents the results from trial trenching carried out at five hilltop settlements in the hills that stretch along the Sava river eastwards of Ljubljana. Findings from the field, material artifacts and chronological classifications of the set-tlements are put forth. Ajdovščina above Zaboršt pri Dolu was temporarily settled during the Late Bronze and Early and Late Iron Ages. Fibulae and Roman coins attest that Ajdovščina was also visited during Roman times. Gradišče above Dešenwas first settled during the Copper Age. The Iron Age brought about the erection of a defence wall that provided shelter later during the Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages as well. Set-tlement at Sitarjevec above Litija and Pančičev vrh below Javor during the Early Iron Age is probable; characteristic pottery finds bespeak the presence of populations at both settlements during the Late La Tène, which is also when the settlement at Gradišca near Jelše was settled