Videos by Mario Gavranovic
How we should interpretate the movements of the people throughout Bronze Age Europe?
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Papers by Mario Gavranovic
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2026
This study presents chemical (ED-XRF) and lead isotope (HR-MC-ICP-MS) analyses of 29 bronze axes ... more This study presents chemical (ED-XRF) and lead isotope (HR-MC-ICP-MS) analyses of 29 bronze axes recovered along the eastern Adriatic coast, offering new insights into the metallurgical background of archaeological types with distinct distribution patterns. The analysed axes date from the Middle to the early Late Bronze Age (17th-14th centuries BC), a crucial period marked by intensified copper production in emerging Alpine mining districts and the decline of other metallurgical centres, such as those in eastern Serbia. Due to scarcity of analytical data and lack of closed contexts, the role of the eastern Adriatic within the dynamic copper supply networks of Bronze Age Europe has remained poorly understood so far. The region's intermediary position between copper production centres in northeastern Italy and the inland Balkans, which from at least the beginning of the Late Bronze Age (14th century BC) were largely supplied with Italian copper is of particular relevance. The results presented here contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of regional metallurgical practices and help refine our reconstruction of the chronological and spatial dynamics of copper distribution across Central Europe, Italy, and the Balkans.
Archaeologia Austriaca, Band 110, 2026
The excavations (2024-2025) at the hilltop site Begića Glavica near Travnik in central Bosnia wer... more The excavations (2024-2025) at the hilltop site Begića Glavica near Travnik in central Bosnia were prompted by the discovery of a metal hoard within the massive stone rampart, erected directly upon a large burnt feature with pottery vessels in situ. The radiocarbon dates suggest activities between the 13 th and 9 th centuries BC. The Begića Glavica site represents a unique spot in the regional framework, most likely a place of gatherings and ceremonial events.
Subterranea Croatica 22, supl. 3. , 2024
The multi-year exploration of Bobinac-Kozerina pećina above Sinac near Otočac has yielded fascina... more The multi-year exploration of Bobinac-Kozerina pećina above Sinac near Otočac has yielded fascinating
archaeological discoveries. Among them are complete ceramic vessels, remnants of burnt material in the rear
chamber, and several well-preserved pieces of wood stacked in the middle of the cave, one of which is hollowed
out and appears to have been used as a torch or wooden container. Additionally, very well-preserved fragments
of ceramic vessels were found in the first chamber and a small channel at the bottom of the cave. It appears that
people entered Bobinac-Kozerina pećina multiple times, bringing in ceramic vessels of unknown contents, lighting
fires inside, staying for periods, bringing in wood (analysis indicating oak), and constructing a stone platform at
the cave’s far end. The worn rocks at several points suitable for gripping while passing through the cave interior
and the larger quantity of larger ceramic vessels suggest multiple individuals used the site several times. Given the
cave’s configuration and the nature of the finds, it is highly likely that this was some form of sanctuary rather than
a refuge. Typological characteristics date the ceramic repertoire to the final phase of the Middle Bronze Age, a
conclusion supported by radiocarbon dating and the analysis of broken fragments of speleothems at the entrance
to the rear chamber (U-Th method). Samples were taken from the vessels to determine their potential contents
(lipid residue analysis from vessel walls). In the local context, it is noteworthy that this speleological site is just over
a kilometer away (within the same hill massif) from the famous site - Bezdanjača Cave under Vatinovac, where
skeletal remains of more than a hundred individuals from the Middle and early Late Bronze Age were found. The
conducted research and additional analyses provide insights into the purpose of Bobinac-Kozerina and offer new
knowledge about ritual activities of prehistoric communities in Lika.
1 At the time, both Ognjen Mladenović and Petar Milojević were enrolled in PhD Studies at the Uni... more 1 At the time, both Ognjen Mladenović and Petar Milojević were enrolled in PhD Studies at the University of Belgrade -Faculty of Philosophy, and mentored by Dr. Marija Ljuština, also a team member. 2 At the time Dr. Bogdana Milić was affiliated to the Institute for Oriental and European Archaeology, Vienna. Pottery sampling, Museum of Mining and Metallurgy in Bor.
Österreichisches Archäologisches Institut Jahresbericht Austrian Archaeological Institute Annual Report 2024, 2025
The research group »Urnfield Culture Networks« (UCN)
focuses on various questions concerning the ... more The research group »Urnfield Culture Networks« (UCN)
focuses on various questions concerning the Bronze Age
between central Europe, the Adriatic region, and the
Balkan Peninsula, examining the Urnfield Culture as a
defining phenomenon of the Late Bronze Age (15th–8th
centuries BCE). Ongoing projects investigate diverse
settlement structures, metallurgical networks, burial
customs and Bronze Age ritual sites. Through field campaigns,
material studies and the application of various
analytical approaches (radiocarbon dating, chemical and
isotopic metal analyses, geophysical surveys, residue
analyses, anthropological evaluations and botanical and
zoological studies), the UCN team focuses on generating
primary data, contextualization and interpretation. The
organization of conferences and workshops, public outreach
and the integration of early-career researchers also
fall within the scope of activities.
Communicationes Archæologicæ Hungariæ 2025, 123–137., 2025
This paper discusses metal-producing Bronze Age societies in East Serbia with a particular focus ... more This paper discusses metal-producing Bronze Age societies in East Serbia with a particular focus on the associated
urn cemeteries of local copper producers. As recent investigations have revealed, copper production sites and
the associated urn cemeteries are significantly older (EBA-MBA) than previously assumed. The study delves into
the complexity of resource exploitation, technological processes, and socio-economic implications associated with
copper mining and smelting. Initially seen as a source of wealth and prestige, current archaeological evidence suggests
that direct enrichment and significant prosperity from copper production was limited and at least debatable.
Despite their extensive engagement in copper production, communities in the territory of today’s eastern Serbia
show minimal signs of social hierarchy or wealth accumulation, as their archaeological record reflects communal
burial practices and egalitarian societal structures. In contrast, neighbouring regions exhibit opulent metal objects
that highlight disparities in socio-economic dynamics.
PRIL. INST. ARHEOL. ZAGREBU, 42/2/2025, P. 5–34, 2025
A hoard containing approximately fifty metal objects was discovered in 2021 on the elongated ridg... more A hoard containing approximately fifty metal objects was discovered in 2021 on the elongated ridge of Markovište above the settlement of Husino in northeastern Bosnia. No traces of a settlement or necropolis were observed on the surface in the immediate vicinity of the findspot. The hoard contains several chronologically indicative objects, such as single-loop fibulae of the Golinjevo type, decorated bracelets of the Lučica type, and small socketed axes with low loops, all dated to the 9th and early 8th centuries BC. In most of the western Balkans, this period marks the end of the Late Bronze Age and the beginning of the Early Iron Age. Unlike most contemporary hoards, the find from Markovište consists largely of fragmented objects showing traces of long-term use, as well as items with clear technological or decorative production flaws. The composition reflects a combination of local and regional, mainly western Balkan, types. The deposition of metal objects in northeastern Bosnia – bounded by the rivers Bosna to the west, Sava to the north, Drina to the east, and Krivaja to the south – can be traced back to the beginning of the Late Bronze Age (13th century BC). What distinguishes this area within the broader context of southeastern Europe is the continuity of hoard deposition extending into the beginning of the Iron Age, as demonstrated by the Markovište hoard.
Radiocarbon, 2025
Ever since the first discovery of urn burials in eastern Serbia during the 1980s, their dating ha... more Ever since the first discovery of urn burials in eastern Serbia during the 1980s, their dating has been uncertain and based on distant analogies and typological parallels. In this paper, we present radiocarbon dates from five urn cemeteries and three associated settlement sites, showing that the initial dating (Late Bronze Age; 14th-11th BCE) is highly questionable. Instead, radiocarbon dating and modeling presented here connect the urn cemeteriescharacterized by a specific grave architecture and associated with settlements that display evidence of copper production-to a period between the 20th and 16th centuries BC. The fact that many of our dates come from cremated bones requires a discussion with regard to the circumstances of carbon exchange during cremation. The absolute dates thus far available for most urn cemeteries from the neighboring regions of the Balkans are all markedly younger (15th-11th century BC) than the data presented here and fall in the frame of the overall expansion of cremation in Europe during the Urnfield period. The new absolute dates from eastern Serbia provide a possibility to change our understanding of the Bronze Age dynamics of the 2nd millennium in the broader area of southeastern Europe and indicate a much earlier acceptance of cremation among certain groups than previously thought.
Long-distance Connections in Metal Ages of Southeastern Europe, 2025
In this paper, we present and discuss the results of archaeometallurgical analyses (EDXRF and Lea... more In this paper, we present and discuss the results of archaeometallurgical analyses (EDXRF and Lead Isotope Analysis) on metal objects from several hoards from northeastern Serbiadating to different periods, including Topolnica and Urovica (BA D–Ha A1), Bradarac, Bradarac-
Rukumija and Stari Kostolac- Mali Grad (Ha A1), Alun, Brza Palanka, Leskovo and Vojilovo (HaA2–Ha B1) and Stari Kostolac-Leštar and Živica (Ha C1). The area along the Danube River Gorgestands out as one of the very few European microregions with a continuity of metal deposition
activities throughout the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages (13th–8th centuries BC). The depositionof metal hoards additionally highlights the unique character of this landscape and the importance of the Danube Gorge in the prehistoric communication networks. From a diachronic perspective, our analyses revealed different alloy mixtures and provided hints regarding the provenance of copper raw material used for the casting. Currently, there are no data that support the use of nearby abundant local copper deposits in northeastern Serbia during this period.
Arheološki vestnik 76, 2025
Three-loop bow fibulae with triangular footplates were previously considered an exceptional pheno... more Three-loop bow fibulae with triangular footplates were previously considered an exceptional phenomenon within the Early Iron Age jewelry repertoire in the western Balkans and only became known through a find, from the city of Zenica in central Bosnia, presented in this journal in 2007. With the increase of archaeological research in this region, which led to the discovery and excavation of the Kopilo burial ground and the localization of other potential cemeteries, the number of characteristic fibulae has grown to six. Despite differing dimensions, all specimens display distinct common features (three loops with a rhomboid cross-section, a decorated triangular footplate, and ribbed bow), which allow this jewelry to be recognized as a distinct type in the archaeological sense. Considering the fact that all newly discovered specimens come from sites around the city of Zenica or the Zenica Basin of the Bosna River, it is reasonable to refer to this form of fibula as the Zenica Type.
Glasnik Zemaljskog Muzeja, n.s. Arheologija, 2024
This paper discusses the collection of metal finds discovered in the Pavlovica area, in the immed... more This paper discusses the collection of metal finds discovered in the Pavlovica area, in the immediate vicinity of the Rostovo plateau, within the Vranica mountain massif in central Bosnia. All the finds were lying in close proximity to the ruined stone construction, across a surface area of 1 by 1.5 metres. Several typologically and chronologically indicative items, such as a double-looped fibula with a foot in the shape of a Boeotian shield, a fibula with three buttons on the bow, and a perforated belt buckle, suggest a time frame between the 7th and 6th centuries BCE. Particularly interesting are two conical buckles with an eyelet on the inner side and engraved decorations, as these forms have mostly been found thus far in contexts dating to the transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age (9th/8th century BCE). The find from Pavlovica, along with several other buckles and ornaments of the same type recently found in central Bosnia, suggests the
persistence of these specific forms into the Early Iron Age.
Bronze Age Metallurgy Production – Consumption – Exchange, OREA 32, 2024
In this paper, we discuss the results of the chemical and lead isotope analyses on metal objects ... more In this paper, we discuss the results of the chemical and lead isotope analyses on metal objects from the Late Bronze Age hoards Klenje and Kličevac-Rastovača, both located in northeastern Serbia. The results of trace element analysis are available for 31 finds from Klenje, and 15 finds from Kličevac-Rastovača, showing a range of different alloys in terms of added tin or lead and the presence of various impurities (arsenic, antimony, nickel, and silver). In order to narrow down the possible source of copper used for the production, lead isotope analyses were additionally conducted on 12 samples from Klenje and four samples from Kličevac-Rastovača. Most of the finds confirmed the general trend for the Late Bronze Age in the western and central Balkans, with a prevalence of copper having an isotopic signature that corresponds to the Trentino mining region in northern Italy. 4 However, we also attested the copper from other distant regions such as Eastern Alps (Hochkönig-Mitterberg) and Cyprus. Based on the typo-chronological evaluation of deposited objects, both hoards can be associated with the stage Ha A1 or the second horizon/stage of Late Bronze Age hoards, according to the regional chronologies for southeast Europe. 5 This period (13 th and early 12 th century BC) is marked by the peak of deposition activity in a vast area between central Europe, the Adriatic Sea and the Carpathian Mountains with well-recognisable regional hoarding patterns and wide distribution of specific metal types. 6 Indicative of Klenje and Kličevac-Rastovača and other hoards in northeastern Serbia around Požarevac is their position on the southeastern fringe of the overall distribution in Europe and their proximity to the abundant copper ore deposits in eastern Serbia.
The Mechanism of Power_The Bronze and Iron Ages in Southeastern Europe, 2024
The lavishly decorated bracelets/anklets of the type Juhor are one of the most distinguished Bron... more The lavishly decorated bracelets/anklets of the type Juhor are one of the most distinguished Bronze Age objects of the central Balkans. The core distribution area includes the Morava Valley in Serbia, with other finds spread
between Slovakia, southern Hungary, eastern Croatia, and North Macedonia. From a typological point of view, previous studies identified three main groups: 1) large bracelets in a hollow cast; 2) large, full-casted bracelets;
3) smaller, full-casted bracelets. Based on weight and incised decoration, bracelets of the first two groups were unanimously described as status or prestige objects, worn only on special occasions and by prominent community members. A few of closed contexts, such as the inhumation grave from Iglarevo, the cremation grave from Kopačevo, or the hoards from Trućevac, Kórós, and Bodajk indicate a chronological frame between the 19th/18th and 16th/15th centuries BCE and show that the Juhor type occurs in regions with a different cultural background.
Apart from typological and chronological aspects, the technological background of these outstanding objects in terms of metal composition was less known. This paper will present the first results of archaeometallurgical analyses of 13 bracelets from the collection of the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade and the National Museum in Požarevac. The chemical composition of the objects points to copper alloy with a stable tin ratio between 8 % and 10 %. The copper used to produce bracelets has a geochemical signature (lead isotopes) corresponding to the local deposits in eastern Serbia and the slags from the copper-producing sites in the same area.
Searching for gold, 2024
This article presents a more detailed discussion of new absolute dates for the Middle Bronze Age ... more This article presents a more detailed discussion of new absolute dates for the Middle Bronze Age and Late Bronze Age in the central Balkans. The dates are significant for two reasons. Firstly, they provide general information about a chronological frame of the Middle and Late Bronze Age cultures in Serbia, and secondly, they indicate certain corrections in the dating of the one specific type of socketed axe that appears to be somewhat older than previously considered. What is important to underline for the period of the Middle and Late Bronze Age is also evidence of the existence of a local metallurgy, including the detection of tin ore in western Serbia on the south slopes of Cer Mountain, remnants of the copper smelting activities at the Ružana site in eastern Serbia and numerous finds of stone moulds for casting different bronze objects.
Austrian Archaeological Institute, Annual Report, 2023
The annual report 2023 of the Department of Prehistory & West Asian/Northeast African Archaeology... more The annual report 2023 of the Department of Prehistory & West Asian/Northeast African Archaeology of the Austrian Archaeological Institute include Quaternary archaeology, prehistory, Near Eastern archaeology and Egyptology. The groups of the department cover an essential cultural area of prehistoric and early historical developments in Europe, Northeast Africa and West Asia. The chronological expertise of the groups covers the periods Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. In 2023, the groups conducted fieldwork and material analyses in Austria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Türkiye, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Sudan and South Africa.
The Moment of Creation: Typology and Relative Dating of Finds from the Vukovar and Lovas Assemblages
Vukovar and Lovas hoards: New Biographies. Raw Materials, Metallography, Typology, Metalwork Wear, Chronology and Context, 2024
Both the Vukovar and Lovas assemblages have attracted significant research interest since their d... more Both the Vukovar and Lovas assemblages have attracted significant research interest since their discoveries. The finds have served as important anchors for the relative chronology of the Bronze Age in the Carpathian Basin. In the scope of the new archaeological investigations in the region and the vicinity, as well as the analyses conducted on metal finds from the Vukovar and Lovas assemblages, a revision of the typological classifications and relative dating is desirable. This chapter focuses on artefact shapes and equivalent finds in the broader vicinity. It aims to re-evaluate the relative dating of finds from both sites and provide a possible chronological framework for the deposition of the assemblages.
Godisnjak Centra za balkanoloska ispitivanja , 2023
The cooperation between the Austrian Archaeological Institute (Austrian Academy of Scie... more The cooperation between the Austrian Archaeological Institute (Austrian Academy of Sciences) and City Museum Zenica in the frame of the project “Visualizing the unknown Balkans” resulted in the discovery and subsequent archaeological investigations of the first documented graveyard of Late Bronze and Early Iron Age in central Bosnia at the site Kopilo. The excavations conducted in 2021 and 2022 brought to light the cemetery locat-ed on the terrace below the previously investigated hilltop settlement and provided new insights into the mortuary practices of the local prehistoric population. In total, we unearthed 46 graves, with 51 individuals of all age groups. Most of the graves were placed in stone constructions that included several inhumation burials. We also found clear evidence of grave reopening and reuse, multiple burials and graves containing only selected body parts. The spectrum of metal and pottery finds consists of local, regional and forms of supra-regional distribution, indicating well-established communication networks of the community that used the cemetery.
In Southeastern Europe, the Metal Ages – Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age – are characteriz... more In Southeastern Europe, the Metal Ages – Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age – are characterized by dynamic
processes that led to significant socio-economic changes. Many prehistoric societies unwittingly made substantial
social and economic changes reflected throughout history by obtaining materials and resources for their
daily lives. Overall, the availability of resources has always been an essential factor in shaping human societies
and continues to be so today.
The procurement and distribution of resources like food, water, and raw materials cannot be studied in isolation
without considering their relationship to time and space, their socioeconomic or technological background, and
their spiritual connotation. Religious beliefs and practices often guided the use and management of resources,
as certain rituals might be performed to honour or appease the gods or other spiritual beings to ensure a bountiful
supply of resources.
The exploitation and trade of resources in prehistoric societies cannot be conceived without its connection to
a transcendental sphere. In this sense, the conference aims to relate economic and religious aspects to study
the prehistoric communities of the Metal Ages in an integrated approach.
Annales Instituti Archaeologici, Dec 22, 2020
The Late Bronze Age settlement in Dolina at the location of Babine Grede stands on two elevated r... more The Late Bronze Age settlement in Dolina at the location of Babine Grede stands on two elevated ridges lying along the course of the River Sava in the direction of west – east. The settlement is known on the basis of previously collected surface finds of
potsherds and was confirmed by a geomagnetic survey conducted in 2014. Trench 1, located in the eastern part of the western ridge, was excavated in 2015 and 2016. The archaeological excavations of the location of Babine Grede – Tukovi in 2018 determined that the settlement on the east ridge was partly contemporary in Ha A2, i.e. in the first half of the 11th cent. BC. Trench 2 included younger horizons than those recorded in Trench 1. The excavations conducted in the spring of 2019 opened
Trench 3, which is a smaller trench on the western part of the eastern ridge. Trench 3 is located south of the settlement on the western ridge. This trench was excavated with the aim of locating a flat cemetery, but it located a peripheral part of the
settlement with a large buried structure. The new excavation results have supplemented the findings about the borders of the settlement and the directions of its expansion, as well as the assumptions about the position of the flat cemetery. According to the published findings, the Bronze Age settlement of Donja Dolina on the other side of the river was at least partly contemporary with the settlement at Babine Grede, and this fact raises a number of new questions about the specific use of landscape along the River Sava in the Late Bronze Age, especially during the younger phase of the Urnfield culture.
Starinar, 2022
Following more than seven decades of research on the Bronze Age cremation burial grounds in the t... more Following more than seven decades of research on the Bronze Age cremation burial grounds in the territory of Serbia, the new absolute dates provide us with an opportunity to determine a more precise chronological sequence of different local cultural manifestations. Although the pioneers of the Serbian archaeology after WWII defined the main cultural trajectories that led to the establishment of cremation as the main burial rite during the 2 nd millennium BC, several misconceptions were established that need to be corrected, considering new data. We regard this paper as our contribution to the better understanding of the cultural and chronological sequence in the Central Balkans during the Bronze Age.
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Videos by Mario Gavranovic
Papers by Mario Gavranovic
archaeological discoveries. Among them are complete ceramic vessels, remnants of burnt material in the rear
chamber, and several well-preserved pieces of wood stacked in the middle of the cave, one of which is hollowed
out and appears to have been used as a torch or wooden container. Additionally, very well-preserved fragments
of ceramic vessels were found in the first chamber and a small channel at the bottom of the cave. It appears that
people entered Bobinac-Kozerina pećina multiple times, bringing in ceramic vessels of unknown contents, lighting
fires inside, staying for periods, bringing in wood (analysis indicating oak), and constructing a stone platform at
the cave’s far end. The worn rocks at several points suitable for gripping while passing through the cave interior
and the larger quantity of larger ceramic vessels suggest multiple individuals used the site several times. Given the
cave’s configuration and the nature of the finds, it is highly likely that this was some form of sanctuary rather than
a refuge. Typological characteristics date the ceramic repertoire to the final phase of the Middle Bronze Age, a
conclusion supported by radiocarbon dating and the analysis of broken fragments of speleothems at the entrance
to the rear chamber (U-Th method). Samples were taken from the vessels to determine their potential contents
(lipid residue analysis from vessel walls). In the local context, it is noteworthy that this speleological site is just over
a kilometer away (within the same hill massif) from the famous site - Bezdanjača Cave under Vatinovac, where
skeletal remains of more than a hundred individuals from the Middle and early Late Bronze Age were found. The
conducted research and additional analyses provide insights into the purpose of Bobinac-Kozerina and offer new
knowledge about ritual activities of prehistoric communities in Lika.
focuses on various questions concerning the Bronze Age
between central Europe, the Adriatic region, and the
Balkan Peninsula, examining the Urnfield Culture as a
defining phenomenon of the Late Bronze Age (15th–8th
centuries BCE). Ongoing projects investigate diverse
settlement structures, metallurgical networks, burial
customs and Bronze Age ritual sites. Through field campaigns,
material studies and the application of various
analytical approaches (radiocarbon dating, chemical and
isotopic metal analyses, geophysical surveys, residue
analyses, anthropological evaluations and botanical and
zoological studies), the UCN team focuses on generating
primary data, contextualization and interpretation. The
organization of conferences and workshops, public outreach
and the integration of early-career researchers also
fall within the scope of activities.
urn cemeteries of local copper producers. As recent investigations have revealed, copper production sites and
the associated urn cemeteries are significantly older (EBA-MBA) than previously assumed. The study delves into
the complexity of resource exploitation, technological processes, and socio-economic implications associated with
copper mining and smelting. Initially seen as a source of wealth and prestige, current archaeological evidence suggests
that direct enrichment and significant prosperity from copper production was limited and at least debatable.
Despite their extensive engagement in copper production, communities in the territory of today’s eastern Serbia
show minimal signs of social hierarchy or wealth accumulation, as their archaeological record reflects communal
burial practices and egalitarian societal structures. In contrast, neighbouring regions exhibit opulent metal objects
that highlight disparities in socio-economic dynamics.
Rukumija and Stari Kostolac- Mali Grad (Ha A1), Alun, Brza Palanka, Leskovo and Vojilovo (HaA2–Ha B1) and Stari Kostolac-Leštar and Živica (Ha C1). The area along the Danube River Gorgestands out as one of the very few European microregions with a continuity of metal deposition
activities throughout the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages (13th–8th centuries BC). The depositionof metal hoards additionally highlights the unique character of this landscape and the importance of the Danube Gorge in the prehistoric communication networks. From a diachronic perspective, our analyses revealed different alloy mixtures and provided hints regarding the provenance of copper raw material used for the casting. Currently, there are no data that support the use of nearby abundant local copper deposits in northeastern Serbia during this period.
persistence of these specific forms into the Early Iron Age.
between Slovakia, southern Hungary, eastern Croatia, and North Macedonia. From a typological point of view, previous studies identified three main groups: 1) large bracelets in a hollow cast; 2) large, full-casted bracelets;
3) smaller, full-casted bracelets. Based on weight and incised decoration, bracelets of the first two groups were unanimously described as status or prestige objects, worn only on special occasions and by prominent community members. A few of closed contexts, such as the inhumation grave from Iglarevo, the cremation grave from Kopačevo, or the hoards from Trućevac, Kórós, and Bodajk indicate a chronological frame between the 19th/18th and 16th/15th centuries BCE and show that the Juhor type occurs in regions with a different cultural background.
Apart from typological and chronological aspects, the technological background of these outstanding objects in terms of metal composition was less known. This paper will present the first results of archaeometallurgical analyses of 13 bracelets from the collection of the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade and the National Museum in Požarevac. The chemical composition of the objects points to copper alloy with a stable tin ratio between 8 % and 10 %. The copper used to produce bracelets has a geochemical signature (lead isotopes) corresponding to the local deposits in eastern Serbia and the slags from the copper-producing sites in the same area.
processes that led to significant socio-economic changes. Many prehistoric societies unwittingly made substantial
social and economic changes reflected throughout history by obtaining materials and resources for their
daily lives. Overall, the availability of resources has always been an essential factor in shaping human societies
and continues to be so today.
The procurement and distribution of resources like food, water, and raw materials cannot be studied in isolation
without considering their relationship to time and space, their socioeconomic or technological background, and
their spiritual connotation. Religious beliefs and practices often guided the use and management of resources,
as certain rituals might be performed to honour or appease the gods or other spiritual beings to ensure a bountiful
supply of resources.
The exploitation and trade of resources in prehistoric societies cannot be conceived without its connection to
a transcendental sphere. In this sense, the conference aims to relate economic and religious aspects to study
the prehistoric communities of the Metal Ages in an integrated approach.
potsherds and was confirmed by a geomagnetic survey conducted in 2014. Trench 1, located in the eastern part of the western ridge, was excavated in 2015 and 2016. The archaeological excavations of the location of Babine Grede – Tukovi in 2018 determined that the settlement on the east ridge was partly contemporary in Ha A2, i.e. in the first half of the 11th cent. BC. Trench 2 included younger horizons than those recorded in Trench 1. The excavations conducted in the spring of 2019 opened
Trench 3, which is a smaller trench on the western part of the eastern ridge. Trench 3 is located south of the settlement on the western ridge. This trench was excavated with the aim of locating a flat cemetery, but it located a peripheral part of the
settlement with a large buried structure. The new excavation results have supplemented the findings about the borders of the settlement and the directions of its expansion, as well as the assumptions about the position of the flat cemetery. According to the published findings, the Bronze Age settlement of Donja Dolina on the other side of the river was at least partly contemporary with the settlement at Babine Grede, and this fact raises a number of new questions about the specific use of landscape along the River Sava in the Late Bronze Age, especially during the younger phase of the Urnfield culture.