Page 147 - Studia Universitatis Hereditati, vol 13(2) (2025)

amples of thin-walled pottery and both smooth
and relief terra sigillata from the early Roman
period had already been found in Osor, and re-
cent surveys of the Osor channel have confirmed
this. Fragments of bowls, plates, cups, and jugs,
some bearing stamps and decorations, were col-
lected. Despite the unclear stratigraphy, this is
the first instance of such material culture being
found within a defined archaeological context,
and it represents the largest number of finds to
date from the Osor seabed and its surrounding
area (Blečić Kavur and Kavur 2024b).
In addition to these finds, two large wood- 147
en beams were discovered during the excava-
tion in Sector 3 (fig. 8). They measured 4 me-
tres in length with a cross-section of 30 × 30
cm and were oriented in the direction of the
tide. The beams were reinforced with vertical-
ly placed planks and yellow clay, which was not Zrinka Ettinger Starčić
found elsewhere at the site. Given their dimen-
sions, they were very likely installed to direct the
sea currents in the canal and to secure the Lošinj
side of the coast. Samples from the beams and
piles were taken for further analysis to deter-
Figure 8: Osor, Old Port – a) DEM Model and Ortho-
photo of the Archaeological Excavation (made by Jerko mine the age of the wood, which could provide
Macura; processed by Sara Popović, 2023); b) 3D Model more information about the periods when these
with DesignatIons of Wooden Elements (G – beam; D – elements were installed and used. Although pre-
wooden planks) (made by Anton Divić, 2023) served stratigraphic layers are lacking, the quan-
tity, quality, and diversity of the material culture
of North African and Spatheon-type amphorae confirm the long-term, continuous use of this
(Miholjek 2024). area as a port and its significance within the so-
The largest portion of fine pottery consists cial dynamics of Osor over the centuries (Mihol-
of imported Hellenistic ceramics, which can be jek 2024) (figs. 6–8).
categorised into several types and styles, includ- The second excavation was carried out
ing Gnathia ware, black-glazed, and Hellenis- southeast of the previous location, in a section
tic relief pottery. All these examples are attribut- approaching the modern-day coast of Jaz Bay.
ed to tableware for serving and drinking liquids, This survey of the future 110 kV Cres-Lošinj un-
such as drinking cups, bowls, and plates, and are derwater cable route was led by Irena Radić Ros-
dated from the late 4th to the 1st century BCE, si (2023) (fig. 2). Due to the previous data and
corresponding to the end of the Iron Age and finds, as described earlier, there were high ex-
the beginning of Roman era in Osor (Blečić Ka- pectations for this area. However, it yielded sig-
vur and Kavur 2024b; cf. Blečić Kavur 2015). nificantly poorer results compared to the first
During the subsequent Augustan and ear- location in front of the Osor strait. A surface in-
ly Tiberian periods, the finest tableware was im- spection of the seabed revealed modern waste
ported, as in other significant economic and and scattered finds along the entire route of the
military strongholds of the Roman Empire. Ex- future cable and in the bay itself. Fragments of