The team of the Regional Museum of Travnik worked with students of archaeology from Travnik, Visoko, and Sarajevo on the relocation of the old graveyard. i.e. skeletal remains, due to the reconstruction of the Varoska Mosque from the 16th century. They discovered a valuable treasure below the surface that is dating back from the first century of the new era.
According to curator archaeologist Ajla Sejfuli, besides headstones and the graves itself, they found a large amount of movable archaeological material, which originates from almost all periods of the past.
“Especially interesting are lithic materials, or more precisely the flint tools and cores for their making, parts of an antique bracelet made of glass that is dating back from the period between the 1st and 2nd centuries of the new era, fragments of medieval vessels, as well as ceramic pots and pipes from Ottoman period,” said Sejfuli.
Varoska Mosque is located in one of the oldest streets in Travnik and it is assumed that it was built in the 16th century after the first mosque was built on the fortress in the Old Town. It was burned in Travnik in 1903, and a new one was built in its place three years later. It is under the reconstruction.
“Archaeological research was started and financed by the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Travnik. This research is unique in the area of Travnik, considering that the sites of Islamic origin are completely neglected, which is leading to their decadence and the inability to perform any further study or research on that site. The construction of abdesthana (a room for cleaning before the prayer) is planned as part of the reconstruction of the mosque, and it is necessary to conduct protective research, as determined by the Law on Protection and Use of the Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage of BiH,” stated Sejfuli.
The Majlis of the Islamic Community Travnik donated all the movable materials to the Regional Museum, and after their processing, they planned an exhibition for all the visitors to see the objects and take a look at how our ancestors used to live.
(Source: M. N./Klix.ba)
