Arcehological site Kale Krsevica

On the plateau above the Krševička River, the oldest finds date from the end of the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age (XII-VII century BC), but powerful layers with architectural remains and numerous movable finds correspond to the period from the beginning of the 4th to the first decades of the 3rd century BC. It turned out that in the heart of the Balkans, far from the then civilized world, parts of an urban settlement, built according to Greek models, were discovered, which flourished at the time of Philip of Macedon and Alexander the Great. The plateau is dominated by an acropolis with several construction horizons. For the last phase of the construction of the settlement, the complex is connected with the remains of public buildings that protected the rampart and a wide and deep trench on the most accessible side. Detailed reconnaissance, minor soundings and geophysical examinations showed that most of the settlement lay on the slopes and descended all the way to the Krševička river valley. The largest area was explored at the foot of the site (over 1000m2) where a rampart and a large complex with buildings, walls, furnaces and numerous holes for pillars and bearings for horizontal beams of wooden structures were discovered. It was obvious that the buildings were only a part of a large suburb that stretched along the river. The largest percentage of movable finds are ceramics, which to a lesser extent represent Antique goods, as well as a type of painted vessels that we attribute to the North Aegean workshops, most likely from Khalkidhiki. Imports also include numerous amphorae, which mostly come from Thasos, Menda, but also from other centers. Most of it consists of a rich repertoire of various forms of table, kitchen and storage utensils made according to Greek patterns, but in a local workshop that worked for the needs of the settlement. This is evidenced by the stamp with the lunar letter ‘E’ which is imprinted on several vessels. So far, over 1500 weights have been found in different parts of the settlement, which speaks of a developed weaving activity. The necessary resources, in this case wool, are evidenced by paleo zoological analyzes which showed that a large percentage of domestic animals were sheep. In addition to the dominant presence of bovines and pigs, game was also significantly represented. In addition to meat, cereals played a primary role in the diet, as evidenced by the frequent finds of volcanic stone grindstones, as well as numerous bread ovens. Metal is less represented and these are various types of jewelry such as hinged and ribbon fibulae, ‘M’ pins, earrings, rings, as well as glass beads. Then, there are various types of tools, parts of bronze vessels, iron nails, rivets, small knives, etc. The weapons have not been found so far. Numismatic finds from Krševica are represented by about a dozen specimens, which range from Philip II, silver drachmas of Alexander the Great, through bronze coins of Cassander, Ouranopolis and Demetrius Poliorketes, to a silver piece of Pelagia. Finally, one tetradrachm of the early forging of Damastion and the peony ruler Audoleon, which were found near the site, should be added. The way of organizing the space in Krševica, the type of architecture, imported ceramics, money and other findings clearly indicate the Greek presence and the importance of this settlement, which has always maintained close ties with the Aegean. All this raised questions about the function and name of this northernmost settlement with Hellenic features. All this brings us directly into connection with Damastion, a mining town that was recorded only by Strabo in his Geography, and which has not been located to this day. There are more and more reasons to assume that Damastion was located in the valley of the South Morava, on the site of the Kale site in Krševica, but the final answer will be provided only by further excavations.