The book "Archaeological Sites of Danilovgrad - from Prehistory to the Late Middle Ages" by archaeologist-conservator Bosko Ikovic, is a new edition of Matica Crnogorska.
The subject of Iković's research in this publication is all archaeological sites identified so far within the specified time frame in the administrative territory of the Danilovgrad municipality.
"This work is conceived as a reflection of the need for the classification of archaeological sites, their systematization and clear presentation with the aim of bringing them closer to the scientific, professional and lay public in the function of more adequate treatment and valorization," the author states in the summary and adds that the territory of the Danilovgrad municipality in the geological, geographical, climatic and hydrographic sense represents a specific, diverse and above all favorable space for the life, work and residence of human communities from the oldest times to the present day. The multitude of archaeological sites, their chronological diversity, movable finds and only fragmentary scientific research determine this area in the rank of unavoidable areas of the state territory of Montenegro, from the aspect of archaeology and related scientific disciplines. First of all, the continuity of human existence in this area in relation to epochs and civilization shifts, as well as its mutual relationship with such changes in this environment, has not been sufficiently addressed. With this level of research, considering the geographical, climatic, hydrological and cultural aspects, and the number of sites and the character "According to the findings, this territory had a very respectable importance in the indicated period, and is unjustifiably neglected in research projects," Iković stated.
Sporadic descriptions of individual locations in the literature and a few exploratory archaeological researches, the author states, only fragmentarily illuminate the grandiose and colorful cultural and historical picture of this territory.
In addition to striking landmarks - protected cultural assets, such as: Spuž with the citadel, Martinićka gradina, Koljat, Sige, Zidanice, and the monasteries of Ždrebaonik and Ostrog, this region also abounds in a significant number of lesser-known but very significant sites and finds.
"In a broad time frame, of several tens of thousands of years, this is an attempt to establish a kind of catalog of the region and findings with the aim of a more comprehensive view and sublimation of global cultural and civilizational determinants. By mapping the site, describing characteristic features and presenting individual findings, the aim is to emphasize the continuity of human existence, with an emphasis on geographical, communication and climatic advantages. The results obtained could potentially have their own professional and economic justification in the future, by forming an archaeological park and various activities that would be carried out in it, such as summer schools intended for both academic and wider interested public," says Iković.
The richly illustrated book "Archaeological Sites of Danilovgrad - from Prehistory to the Late Middle Ages" was published as part of the "Traces of the Past" library. The editor of the publication is Ivan Ivanovic, and an expert consultant, art historian Tatjana Koprivica.
Boško S. Iković was born in 1958 in Pančevo. He graduated in 1986 from the Faculty of Cultural Studies in Cetinje, majoring in Conservation and Restoration of Paintings, and was the first graduate of this faculty. He received his master's degree in 2017 from the Institute of History, University of Montenegro. As a senior conservator at the Danilovgrad Cultural Center - Homeland Museum, he worked on conservation and restoration from 1986 until his retirement in 2024. He is the author of the exhibition "Bjelopavlići - Stone through the Ages" (2006), co-author of the archaeological guide Danilovgrad (Matica crnogorska, 2011) and the permanent exhibition of the Danilovgrad Homeland Museum.
Bonus video:
