The Archaeologist

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2,500-year-old Greek-Illyrian Helmet Unearthed in Croatia

Photo: Dubrovnik Museums

In a momentous archaeological expedition set amidst the rugged terrain of the Pelješac Peninsula, the Dubrovnik Museums team has once again shattered the silence of millennia, revealing a stunning testament to the ancient past—a Greek-Illyrian helmet. Nestled within the confines of the "Gomila" site in Zakotorac, this discovery, nestled within one of the stone additions to graves and believed to hold votive significance, stands as a beacon of enlightenment, promising to illuminate the burial customs of Illyrian communities during the latter half of the last millennium BC.

Under the seasoned guidance of Dr. Domagoj Perkić, the indomitable Head of the Archaeological Museum, the Dubrovnik Museums team, fortified by the dedication of assistant curators Paula Knego and Vicenco Pijerov, embarked on a journey of discovery that transcends the confines of time. Their collaborative efforts, bolstered by the expertise of esteemed archaeologists such as Hrvoje Potrebica, Marko Dizdar, Borut Križ, Marta Kalebota, Miona Miliša, Miroslav Vuković, Mirna Šandrić, and supported by the unwavering assistance of Ivan Pamić, culminated in a revelation that resonates with the echoes of history.

Exciting Discovery Greek Illyrian Helmet Unearthed in Pelješac by Dubrovnik Museums Team As the dust of centuries settled, the unearthing of the Greek-Illyrian helmet not only amplifies our comprehension of ancient funerary rites but also bestows upon the Pelješac region a newfound reverence as a veritable crucible of archaeological significance along the eastern shores of the Adriatic. This remarkable find joins a pantheon of artefacts, including intricately crafted jewellery, remnants of garments, and a myriad of grave offerings, bearing silent witness to the rich tapestry of civilizations that once flourished in this land.

The pursuit of knowledge traverses boundaries, and thus, the Dubrovnik Museums team's endeavors are intricately woven into a tapestry of collaboration. In concert with the Centre for Prehistoric Research, esteemed colleagues from the Department of Archaeology at the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb, the Institute of Archaeology, and the Dubrovnik Museums, the research unfolds. The spirit of cooperation extends further, embracing comrades from the City Museum in Korčula, the Dolenjska Museum in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, and the Academy of Fine Arts in Split, forging bonds that transcend academic disciplines.

Photo: Dubrovnik Museums

As the excavation progresses, each layer peeled back unveils a fragment of the past, beckoning us to unravel its secrets. With bated breath, the world awaits further revelations, poised to absorb the wisdom garnered from millennia past. The Dubrovnik Museums team stands resolute, guardians of history's enigmatic whispers, steadfast in their mission to unearth the treasures of antiquity and share their discoveries with a world hungry for knowledge.