 |
Blato
plain (Blatsko polje) is a former periodically flooded
karst plain located in the central western part of
the island of Korcula. This area gravitating geographically
to Vela Luka Bay and several smaller plains, was well
settled during all prehistoric and proto-historic
periods because of transportation connections and
favorable environmental conditions. Systematic research
began some ten years ago, and results are summarized
in this article.
The earliest traces of life come from the late Stone
Age and Copper Age, but the are so far well known
only at the Vela Spila cave site. At least four hillforts
are located on the hills surrounding the plain, along
with several lookout points and thirty some burial
mounds, and in the broader region oriented to the
plain, a total of seven hillforts and a hundred or
so burial mounds are known. Remains indicating any
permanent presence of Greek colonists have not been
found to the present in the western part of Korcula.
Objects of Greek - Hellenistic provenience are fairlly
common, and this primarily refers to fragments of
amphorae, black - glazed pottery, decorative objects
of metal, and Grecian coins, all found regulary on
sites belonging to the local populations (Kopila,
Gradac at Potirna, Vela Spila and the hillfort of
St. John). The influence of classical architecture
on the local settlements was practically marginal.
The hillfort of Kopila, located directly above the
northern side of Blato Plain, is the most important
Iron Age settlement of the island of Korcula. The
acropolis of the hillfort was defended by a powerful
rampart and its well chosen position. Along the slope
on the southern side was a large surburbiun with traces
of dwellings. Two groups of metal objects from Kopila
in the Dubrovnik Museum are chance finds, probably
from the nearby but as yet not located Iron Age cementery.
Analysis of this material indicates mainly local product
from the 5th and 4th centuries BC. At least one of
the Corinthian vases from the same museum can also
be attributed to this hillfort. An abundance of pottery
of local production has been found on the surface
and in shallow outcroppings at the hillfort, as well
as quite a few fragments of imported Graeco - Hellenistic
vases. The use of vessels from the Issean and southern
Italian workshops is apparent. The position, size
and numerous finds at the hillfort of Kopila in the
period from the 5th to the 1st centuries BC emphasize
its importance, as it become the centre of a major
community with an important and active role in trade
and other contacts with other participants in the
tumultuous events in this part of the Adriatic Sea
that gravitates to the island of Korcula.
