A recent excavation on Šćedro Island, located just south of Hvar in the eastern Adriatic, has revealed evidence of human activity dating back to the late Neolithic period, approximately 3,000 years earlier than previously believed, fundamentally changing the understanding of prehistoric life on the island.
Led by Kantharos, in collaboration with the Friends of Šćedro Association and the Municipality of Jelsa, the focused excavation of just 1.5 by 1.5 meters yielded an array of artifacts. Researchers uncovered 250 ceramic fragments, 97 animal bone fragments, 109 shells and marine snails, and four flint tools, as reported by arkeonews.net.
The ceramic vessels from Ratina Cave, decorated with incised geometric designs, are linked to the Hvar culture and are dated to the 5th millennium BCE, between 5000 and 4300 BCE. These ceramics closely resemble those found in the Grapčeva caves on Hvar, a key Neolithic site in the eastern Adriatic region, as noted by CroatiaWeek.com.
Among the most remarkable discoveries at Ratina Cave are 67 ceramic fragments exhibiting features indicative of hemispherical bowls with ring-shaped rims and partially smoothed walls. Such formations and decorations are characteristic of the Hvar culture, which is known for its pottery featuring geometric decorations and specific vessel shapes, according to Enikos.
Preliminary analyses indicate that the material for the stone and flint tools from Ratina Cave was likely sourced from other Adriatic islands and mainland areas, hinting at established maritime networks during the Neolithic era that connected Hvar, Korčula, Pelješac, and the wider eastern Adriatic region, reflecting interactions with communities across the Adriatic Sea.
Although only a small section of Ratina Cave was excavated, the volume and importance of the findings suggest that the site was either continuously inhabited or utilized as a seasonal shelter and workspace for an extended period. Charcoal samples were taken for radiocarbon dating to confirm the age of the finds in Ratina Cave, contributing to the verification of discoveries.
The archaeological research changes the understanding of the Hvar culture and provides deeper insight into the life of prehistoric communities on the eastern Adriatic coast. The discovery opens up new questions about Šćedro Island's role in the prehistoric network of settlements and ancient trade routes, particularly its strategic location along vital maritime routes.
In 1923, archaeologist Grga Novak discovered the first traces of human activity in Ratina Cave, finding small ceramic fragments that dated from the Iron Age. The new findings predate these earlier discoveries by approximately 3,000 years.
The next phase of the research involves expanding the excavations to the access plateau of Šćedro Island, which, together with the cave's proximity to the sea and fertile soils, makes the micro-location suitable for prehistoric communities. Additional research could confirm the existence of a later phase of the Hvar-Nakovan culture, which remains insufficiently explored.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.