Numerous archaeological sites and historical resources proved that human civilization existed in BiH since prehistoric times.
Hellenistic city of Daorson where Illyrian nobility used to live, testifies presence of the ancient Illyrians on the area of the rocky Herzegovina.
Northwest border of the Hellenistic city Daorson in 167 BC was green Neretva, which also presented the border of the Roman Empire in the Balkans.
Due to many wars that took place on this area in this period, the entire city of Daorson was destroyed and nobility from Daorson and the people from the valley left the city forever.
While there was life in Daorson, it was also very important because the most representative buildings were placed in it, but in the historical literature it was often called the Acropolis because of its location, and it was different from any other works created under Hellenistic influence.
Among the preserved remains of this town are two towers, defense walls, entrance to the Acropolis and cyclopean wall, which was built in the 4 century BC. Its name is symbolic – Cyclops was a giant creature from Greek mythology with only one eye, and front Cyclopaean wall was the first line of defense. Research on Daorson discovered the location of streets, market, a temple that was located in the most beautiful place etc.
“City Daorson has many characteristics of a small Hellenistic city. The high level of culture and civilization is indicated by their own money, complicated and artistically decorative clasps, graffiti on fragments of pottery vessels, parts of stone, about 2 m high human statues and many others. Particularly noteworthy was depot, which was found on the northwest slope below the Acropolis. It contained blacksmiths and jewelers’ tools, among which are symbols and decorative materials, and the products of these crafts, which make a total of 243 pieces.
In this locality was found a large number of pottery from the Bronze and Iron Age. They were probably made during the III century BC, but according to place and circumstances of its finding, they were in use long after the time of the destruction and burning of the Illyrian town of Daorson.
All movable material that was found in this area is preserved in prehistoric department of the National Museum in Sarajevo.
Doctor Nils Miller Schissel from the Archaeological Institute in Frankfurt performed geomagnetic research of Daorson and discovered the walls under a layer of earth, which are about 500 years older than the walls that have already been excavated, which proves that people continuously live in this area for more than 3,700 years.
(Source: Radiosarajevo.ba)
