Page 140 - Studia Universitatis Hereditati, vol 13(2) (2025)

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Figure 1: Osor, View of the
studia universitatis hereditati, letnik 13 (2025), številka 2 / volume 13 (2025), number 2
Town and the Old Port
(photo: Sara Popović, 2023)
Osor is framed by the Kavanela (Cavanel- cipium Apsorus), probably under Augustus or Ti-
la) channel, which connects the Kvarner Gulf to berius (Suić 2003, 64; Vrsalović 2011, 246). It not
the north with the Kvarnerić to the south (fig. only maintained but also developed its status as
1). This sea strait, with its prevailing sea currents an important port on the sea route from Salona
and winds, along with suitable coves on both to Aquileia, primarily due to favourable winds
sides, was crucial in shaping Osor into an es- and sea currents (Zaninović 2005; cf. Orlić 1986;
sential, millennia-old port on the oldest trans- Jurišić 2000).
port routes that connected Northern and Cen- The significance and value of Osor’s po-
tral Europe with the Mediterranean during the sition on shipping routes, as well as the stand-
late prehistoric period. Despite this wealth of ev- ard of living of its ancient inhabitants, are cor-
idence and the efforts of earlier researchers (e.g. roborated by numerous finds of material culture
Imamović 1979; Faber 1980; Stražičić 1995), di- from earlier excavations of necropolises and
rect and concrete evidence of a prehistoric port tombs (Ettinger Starčić and Ćus-Rukonić 2015),
or infrastructure has not yet been documented. as well as the most recent discoveries in the area
Their existence is only assumed and linked to of Preko mosta and along the road towards
later Roman structures. Nerezine (Janeš 2022; Perković Gjurašin 2022;
The abundant material culture, mostly un- cf. Blečić Kavur 2025; Blečić Kavur and Kavur
earthed from necropolises, tombs, the settle- 2024a).
ment itself, and surrounding areas (Blečić Kavur Earlier scholarship held that Osor possessed
2015; 2021; 2025; Blečić Kavur and Kavur 2013; a fully developed port infrastructure and a refur-
2024a; 2025), testifies to Osor’s prominent role bished Kavanela canal during this period. It was
on the island and its extensive cultural and eco- long maintained that the town had three ports:
nomic networks. Additionally, a collection of in Bijar Bay, in the Old Port (Stara luka) by
items from underwater research significantly en- the Kavanela passage, and in Jaz Bay (Imamov-
hances our knowledge, understanding, and in- ić 1979; Faber 1980; 1982). Today, however, it
terpretation of life in Osor, particularly during is difficult to envisage Jaz Bay as an operation-
the period of Roman rule (Ettinger Starčić 2012; al harbour, as it is entirely silted up and buried.
2013). At that time, the city flourished, gaining a Furthermore, the existence of a channel linking
city charter and becoming a municipium (Muni- it with Bijar Bay has not been scientifically con-