UDC 903.7"638"(497.

11)
902.2"638"(497.11)"2004/2007"
DOI: 10.2298/STA0757191P

191

MILO[ JEVTI], Faculty of Philosophy, Belgrade

MIRKO PEKOVI], Military Museum, Belgrade

MIHAJLOV PONOR ON MIRO^

TRIBAL CULT PLACES
Abstract. The locality of Mihajlov ponor on Miro~ was discovered at the end of 2004. On that occasion, more than thirty stone
constructions were observed, with a diameter from four to 12 m and a height of up to 1.3 m. The majority of these constructions
were damaged. In the period from 2005 to 2007, five stone constructions were examined, which, apart from ceramics belonging to
the post-Basarabi horizon, were found to contain a large number of metal objects from the Early Iron Age.
Key words. Mihajlov ponor, stone constructions, post-Basarabi horizon, arrowheads, ceramics, cult places.

ithin the framework of the project The

prehistory of northeastern Serbia archaeological reconnaissance and excavations, in
2004 and 2005, detailed archaeological reconnaissance
was carried out of the broader hinterland of \erdap.
Based on information obtained from local inhabitants,
several localities were discovered. On that occasion,
on Mount Miro~, above the \erdap Gorge, we found
the locality Mihajlov ponor (Fig. 1), where we observed
circular stone constructions with an accentuated, outer
ring.1
The locality of Mihajlov ponor is situated at about
13 km northeast of the village of Miro~, at the foot of
the hills known as Konjska and Visoki ^ukar on one
side, and ^oka Grekuluja on the other, at a minor
elevation, surrounded by karst valleys and covering
an area of roughly one hectare. In that area, we
registered more than thirty stone constructions. The
peripheral rings were built of natural rock and broken
stones, and inside were smaller rings formed of smaller
broken stones. The space between them was strewn
with small pieces of broken stone and earth. We saw
that some stone constructions did not have a smaller,
internal ring and that the space was encircled by a large
ring, simply strewn with small pieces of stone and soil. The diameter of these stone constructions ranged
from 4 m to 12 m, while their height varied from 0.5
m to 1.3 m.2
In the course of two shorter campaigns, during
20052006, we explored two constructions (7 and 9),
as well as a stone wall situated approximately 400 m

STARINAR LVII/2007.

southeast of Mihajlov ponor. In the campaign during

2007, three more constructions were examined (10,
10a and 12; Fig. 2), and, in our search for their
builders, a small test-pit was opened on the plateau, at
a distance of around 70 m from the first constructions
(31) on Mihajlov ponor.
In the first campaign in 2005, we examined
construction 7, which had a diameter of 10.9 9.2 m,
and was damaged. Part of the outer ring, consisting of
two to three rows of larger broken stones, had been
demolished on the western side, while the northeastern
side of the inner, smaller circle, was preserved. The
construction was formed on a rocky foundation,
descending like a cascade from east to west, and was
levelled out with a layer of small broken stones
(limestone and sandstone) mixed with reddish soil,
the depth of which ranged from 0.1 to 0.4 m.

_____________
Circular stone constructions were also discovered above
Brza Palanka on the so-called Beljanski put, and subsequently in
the locality known as Plo~e in the \erdap national park, where a
settlement was found with incrusted pottery of the @uto Brdo
Grla Mare type (Fig. 1). A Late Bronze Age settlement was
discovered in the village of Miro~ (@uto BrdoGrla Mare culture),
while north of the village, at the foot of the hill called Kopana glavica, a multi-layered village was discovered, belonging to the Late
Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age.
2 Pekovi} 2006, 33; Pekovi} 2007, 155157, Pic. 148;
Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007, 126.
1

192

MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

PLOCE
DOBRE VODE

II MIHAJLOV
PONOR

III
BELJANSKI
PUT

MIROC

Fig. 1 Map of sites

Sl. 1 Karta nalazi{ta

Outside of this construction, we noted a layer of

beaten earth and smaller pieces of broken stone (a
walking path). It was particularly noticeable in the
western and northern section. In the western part of the
construction, we discovered a smaller surface of beaten
and slightly baked soil on a surface of around one m2.
In the peripheral sections of the construction,
several fragments of pottery were found from the
Early Iron Age. These fragments were left in fissures
(pockets) in the rock, with the stones and earth used to
even out the surface of the construction. Approximately
in the centre of the construction, three glass paste
beads were discovered, of various sizes, with about
four pairs of eyes, the edges of which were white (T.
I/13). Close by, we discovered two medieval
arrowheads and a medieval knife, the tip of which
was missing (T. I/6). One arrowhead was in the shape
of a willow leaf, with an accentuated central rib (T.
I/4), whereas the other was triangular, with an
accentuated central rib and a well preserved conically
shaped quiver (T. I/5).3
Southeast of the spot where the beads were discovered, we found a well-preserved, massive, iron
arrowhead of the Ferigile type, shaped triangularly,
with prolonged, notched blades, close to the top of
which there were two small perforations (T. I/8).4

On the eastern side of the construction, a small

bronze, unilateral spring fibula was found with its foot
missing, with a narrow, spindle-like, high bow,
decorated with notches (T. I/7). Apart from sporadic
fragments of ceramics, larger fragments of a conically
shaped cup were found, with a part of the handle
overlapping the rim (T. II/1). Not far from the cup, an
iron loop was discovered, most probably part of a
horses harness, as well as a small iron belt-lock (T.
I/1213).5
In the southeastern part of the construction, we
observed a large surface of beaten earth, where we
found several fragments of pottery. Apart from the
crude make of the majority, ceramic vessels were
found that had been made of better quality clay, with
polished surfaces, baked to a brownish-black, black
or a grey colour. We singled out a small, cylindrical
vessel, with a gently widened rim, a long neck, a gently

_____________
Pekovi} 2006, 37; Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007, 128.
Vulpe 1967, 66, Fig. 21; Vasi} 2004, 16; Pekovi} 2006,
34; Stoji} 2006, 110; Stoji} 2006, 78, fig. 6.
5 Pekovi} 2006, 35, Fig. 45; Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007,
129, fig. 3/1314.
3
4

MIHAJLOV PONOR ON MIRO^ TRIBAL CULT PLACES

193

Fig. 2 Distribution of stone constructions on the Mihajlov ponor locality

Sl. 2 Raspored kamenih konstrukcija na lokalitetu Mihajlov ponor

accentuated belly, and a flat bottom. It was worked

from a poorer quality of clay with additions of small
grains of sand, and baked to a brownish red colour.
The neck and belly of the vessel were decorated with
two rows of vertical, diagonal lines (T. II/2). Of the
larger vessels, we distinguished pots of a cruder make,
with polished surfaces, four linguiform handles,
decorated with a relief in the form of a band imprinted
with fingertips or simple, slanting engraved lines (T.

STARINAR LVII/2007.

II/34). There were a few pots with flat, gently

accentuated rims, rounded bellies, and tongue-shaped
handles attached to them (T. II/5). In addition, we
recorded small pots of a finer grain of pottery, with

_____________
6 Gara{anin 1971, 54, Fig. 483; Jovanovi} 1972, 12; Jovanovi} 1974, 16; Jevti} 1983, 12, T. XI/10.

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MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

Human mandible
Stone/natural rock
Pottery
Zone of burned soil

Fig. 3 Base of construction 7 after excavations

Sl. 3 Osnova konstrukcije 7 nakon iskopavawa

slender handles shaped like a horseshoe (T. II/68).6

Bowls were one of the most frequent types of vessel.
They were mainly of earthenware, with polished
surfaces of a grey, light brown and, more rarely, of a
reddish outer surface. Their profilation varied, curving
more or less inwards to the rim, which was flat or
twisted. The bottom was mostly flat (T. II/910). Some
bowls had small tongue-shaped handles (T. II/11).
Particularly distinct was a bowl with a handle shaped
like a spool, moulded on the rim itself (T. II/12).

There were also a few bowls with an S profile (T.

II/13), and we found a lesser number of fragments of
a biconically shaped cup, of a longer conical shape, a
gently, inward curving, smooth rim and flat bottom.
A band-like handle joined the neck and the rim of the
vessel (T. II/14).
Among the pottery in this part of the construction
(Fig. 3), we discovered several animal bones, belonging to a roe deer, a deer and a mountain goat. Traces
of lacerations could be seen on some of the bones. We

MIHAJLOV PONOR ON MIRO^ TRIBAL CULT PLACES

found a carbonised, human mandible that had been

brought here and buried as an offering. We established
that it had belonged to a younger male.7
Apart from the excavation of this construction,
research was also carried out with a metal detector.
We examined the constructions that had sustained
the most damage by random diggers. Inside the
constructions designated with numbers 1, 10 and 11,
among the stones or immediately beneath, we found
several small metal objects. In construction 1, two large
iron arrowheads were discovered, which belonged to
the Ferigile type (T. I/910), part of a knife and an
arc-shaped iron knife with a single blade, with a
well-preserved, triangular spine (T. I/15). 8 In
construction 10, one more arrowhead of the same type
was found (T. I/11) and the bow of a small iron fibula
(T. I/14) and, in construction 11, a fragmented lance
with an accentuated middle rib and an intact quiver,
on which there were perforations for fastening (T.
I/16), as well as several small, iron rivets and nails.
Approximately 600 m northeast of the locality
(forest section 48) a completely demolished stone
construction was discovered, of a diameter of more
than 20 m and, about 100 m farther eastwards, there
were about ten smaller ones (location II, Pic. 1).
Construction 9 was examined during the campaign
in 2006. Its dimensions were 8.2 8.5 m, and it was
situated several meters southeast of construction 7. The
massive outer ring, consisting in some places of five
or six rows of broken stones, was partly demolished on
its northwestern side.9 The inside of the construction,
which was strewn with stones and in the middle
of which there was a smaller stone ring, was also
demolished, that is to say, the stones were scattered
around the vicinity.
Depending on the incline of the terrain, the
interior of the construction was levelled out with
small broken stones mixed with dark brown, loose
soil of a thickness of 0.15 to 0.5 m. Small pits scarred
the entire southern part of the construction; however,
even in those sections we discovered three metal
objects. There were two damaged, iron arrowheads
with two perforations and the small bow of an iron
fibula. 10 The levelling layer in this part of the
construction ranged from 0.25 to 0.5 m. Here, we
found a large number of fragments of the bellies of
crudely made vessels, in which large grains of sand
had been added, which had polished surfaces. They
had been badly baked and were of a brown or black
colour. We noted pieces of small pots with gently
outward curving, wavy rims, as well as parts of more

STARINAR LVII/2007.

195

finely made bowls, among which we singled out the

fragment of a black, smoothly polished bowl, with a
rim curving inwards.
The situation was identical in the northern part of
the construction. Namely, fragments of pottery had
been left in the pockets between the natural rocks
when the space was being levelled. The levelling layer
ranged between 0.15 and 0.2 m. Several fragments of
more finely crafted bowls were discovered here, with
polished surfaces, well baked to nuances of black.
Their profilation varied, their rims curved more or
less inwards and were flat or twisted. We singled out
the piece of a small vessel with a flat accentuated rim,
beneath which was a horizontal rib. Immediately
beneath the rib, the vessel was ornamented with
vertical slashes in the shape of a letter V, framed in a
series of punctations. We found a lesser number of
fragments of large, crudely made vessels, with
additions of large grained sand. They had a rough
surface, and were poorly baked. Some of the fragments
were decorated with moulded bands imprinted with
fingertips. We also found several band-like handles of
different sizes.11
In this part, our finds included several metal
artefacts. These were the bow of an iron fibula, the
bow of a small bronze unilateral spring fibula and part
of a small iron loop for a belt.12
After the construction was emptied (Fig. 4), the
area around it was cleared to a width of approximately
two meters, and a layer of 0.1 m was excavated. As
in the case of the previous construction, here, at the
intersection of the southwestern to northwestern and
the northeastern to the southeastern part of the
construction, we also recorded a layer of hard
beaten earth, mixed with tiny stones (a so-called
walking-path). In this spot, we found a certain quantity
of pottery fragments, similar to the forms discovered
in the construction itself. In the southwestern part,
immediately behind the ring of the construction, we

_____________
We thank our colleagues, @. Miki} and S. Stefanovi}, for
their kind assistance.
8 Pekovi} 2006, 35.
9 Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007, 132. Compared to the situation
encountered in 2005, several more constructions were partly dug
up (8, 9, 12 and 13).
10 Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007, 134, fig. 6/24.
11 Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007, 135, fig. 7.
12 Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007, 134, fig. 6/56, 8.
7

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MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

Fig. 4 Base of construction 9 after excavations, view from the west

Sl. 4 Izgled konstrukcije 9 nakon iskopavawa, sa zapada

discovered a small bronze unilateral spring fibula

with a foot of beaten bronze and a preserved fastening
pin of the Marvinci Gogosu type.13 Afterwards, the
space was checked with a metal detector, revealing the
existence of several metal finds. In the northwestern
part, at about 0.8 m outside the construction, we found
a damaged triangular arrowhead with two perforations,
the upper part of a round, bronze pendent of the
Ghidici type, a large, damaged, iron belt-lock, and an
iron knife with a single blade.14
Roughly, two meters from the northwestern part of
the construction, at a depth of 0.25 m, we came across
a collective find of iron poitrel of the Szentes-Vekerzug
type (Fig. 5). In the same place, there were complete
poitrels, and pieces of two more, different poitrels.15
The ends of the complete poitrels and the piece of the
incomplete one had the shape of a gryphon or horses
head, which clearly indicates a Scythian element.
Approximately 400 m southeast of Mihajlov ponor,
at the foot of the ^oka Grekuluj hill, we discovered
about ten more stone constructions and the remains
of a stone wall (location III, Fig. 1). This stone wall

separated the plateau with stone constructions from the

larger and deeper round karst valley, and its width
varied from 0.8 to 1.2 m, while the length was roughly
30 m. (Fig. 6). Like the constructions, natural rock
was also used for building the stone wall, on which
larger pieces of broken stones were arranged in a
row.16 The stone wall followed the natural formation
of the rock, that is, the line of the terrain. Although
scattered in certain parts, especially in the southeastern part, at one end, it was possible to distinguish
a protected entrance and, at the other end, this stone
wall created an arc, forming a massive rampart, on
top of which a circular construction was formed. The

_____________
Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007, 134, fig. 6/7.
Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007, 134, fig. 6/910.
15 Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007, 134, fig. 6/1113.
16 In the Kornjet locality, in the village of Podgorac near
Boljevac, our colleague Stoji} found a similar stone wall. Stoji}
2006, 77, fig. 34.
13
14

MIHAJLOV PONOR ON MIRO^ TRIBAL CULT PLACES

Fig. 5 Iron poitrils of the Szentes-Vekerzug type

Sl. 5 Gvozdene psalije tipa Szentes-Vekerzug

Fig. 6 Eastern section of the rampart, location III

Sl. 6 Isto~ni deo bedema, lokacija III

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197

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MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

2,41/0,62

Fig. 7 Appearance of freed section of the rampart, view

from the south, location III

Fig. 8 Appearance of construction 10 before

excavations, from the south

Sl. 7 Izgled oslobo|enog segmenta bedema

s juga, lokacija III

Sl. 8 Izgled konstrukcije 10 pre iskopavawa,

sa juga

Fig. 9 Appearance of construction 10 after excavations, from the south

Sl. 9 Izgled konstrukcije 10 nakon iskopavawa, sa juga

MIHAJLOV PONOR ON MIRO^ TRIBAL CULT PLACES

entire western side of the stone wall was cleared,

and a cross-section was made through the circular
construction above the rampart in a north-south
direction, in a length of 5 m and width of 1.3 to 2.1 m,
depending on the arrangement of the natural rocks (Fig.
7). No pottery fragments were found here at all, but
there was a certain amount of baked earth, and larger
pieces of iron slag. Moreover, after the cross-section
was made through this construction, we were not sure
whether it merely involved a layer of debris from the
stone wall, or whether it was some sort of structure,
the purpose of which was unclear.17
In July 2007, we explored three more constructions
(10, 12 and 10a). 18 Parts of the interior of the
constructions 10 and 12 had been dug up, while 10a,
apart from a smaller pit, was intact.
Construction 10 with its diameter of 5.2 5 m,
in contrast to the majority in this locality, had an
excellently preserved outer ring (Fig. 8). Its southern
section was formed out of several rows of broken
stones, ranging from a height of 0.7 to 1.1 m, while its
northern part consisted of the natural formation of
the rocks, between which broken stones had been
inserted, and the height ranged from 0.2 to 0.4 m. The
interior space of the construction was strewn with
large and small pieces of broken stone, mixed with
earth. There was a large hole in the south-western part
of this construction.19 The levelling layer (of dark
brown, loose earth, mixed with crushed stone) of the
undamaged western part, depending on the rocky
base that descended like a cascade from north to
south, varied from 0.2 to 0.5 m. Here, in the fissures
of the rock, only a few fragments of the bellies of
vessels were found with intact, tongue-shaped handles
(T. III/46). These were parts of large, crudely made
vessels with additions of large grained sand, or crushed
stone, badly baked, and their colours varied from
brownish-red to brownish-grey. In that part of the
construction, several iron items were discovered,
which had fallen into the deeper fissures in the rocks.
These were a fragmented and a whole arrowhead with
two perforations of the Ferigile type, part of the plating
on the handle of a knife and a piece of a sewing needle
(T. V/1, 8). The eastern part of the construction was
only superficially devastated. Besides fragments of the
bellies of large vessels and parts of tunnel-like, hollow
handles, in this section, we found several fragments
of smaller pots made of better quality clay, with
smooth, unprofiled rims (T. III/12). Some were
decorated with a series of horizontal, finger tip
imprints (T. III/3). There were fewer examples of

STARINAR LVII/2007.

199

ceramics of finer make. They consisted of pieces of

biconical cups with an unprofiled, flat bottom and
funnel-like, widening rim. Below the rim, the cup was
decorated with a series of horizontal, punctations,
beneath which was an engraved, horizontal, zigzag
line (T. III/78). We also discovered several bandlike handles of cups, some of which had grooves on
them (T. III/911). Besides ceramics, the finds also
included several small pieces of animal bones.
Two more arrowheads with two perforations
originated from these constructions and an iron
arc-shaped knife, with the spine (T. V/23, 11).20
Around the outer ring of construction 10, we dug
a control trench, 0.5 m in width and 3.7 m in length
(Fig. 9). At a depth of 0.1 m, we found a layer of hard,
beaten earth, mixed with small stones (a walking-path),
just as we had in the previous constructions. The
trench made it possible to see clearly that this layer
did not exist around the entire construction but only
in certain sections, particularly in the south-eastern
and north-western parts. Apart from a small iron nail,
this layer did not contain any other finds (Fig. 10; T.
V/14).
The outer ring of construction 12, formed of
natural rock and several rows of large or small broken
stones, ranging in height from 0.2 to 0.7 m, was
preserved in the southern part, while in the northern
section it had been demolished (Fig. 11).21 The size of
this construction along the NS axis was 6.3 m, and
along the EW axis was 6.8 m. We noticed certain
differences in the formation of this construction.
Namely, apart from the peripheral parts of the internal

_____________
17 In the area between the construction and the stone wall,
we came across several fragments of incrusted ceramics, belonging to the @uto BrdoGrla Mare type.
18 Compared to the situation in 2006, we recorded the partial damage of several more constructions (2, 4, 5 and 6), as well as
a large number of pits dug between them.
19 While talking to the local residents, we found out that besides metal objects, these treasure-hunters had started to carry off
ceramic material, as well. Apart from several metal items, which
we confiscated from them, we were unable to come by the ceramic material because it had most probably been thrown away.
20 It is interesting to note that these local treasure-hunters
made a list of what they had dug up, and the locations. We confiscated these items from them and put them together with the finds
from this construction, but we did not enter them in the plan of its
foundation, for understandable reasons.
21 This damage was registered in 2006.

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MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

Legend:
Arrowhead
Iron pin
Iron plating
Iron nail
Pottery
Natural rock
Earth base

Fig. 10 Base of construction 10 after excavations, with finds

Sl. 10 Osnova konstrukcije 10 nakon iskopavawa sa nalazima

Fig. 11 Appearance of construction 12 before

excavations, from the northwest
Sl. 11 Izgled konstrukcije 12 pre iskopavawa,
sa severozapada

space of the construction, the levelling layer (earth

and crushed stone) of which ranged from 0.2 to 0.4 m,
most of it was under large blocks of natural rock and the
fissures and cascades between the rocks, descending
from east to west, were filled with soil and then
covered with gravel. This levelling layer did not
exceed a thickness of 0.15 m. In the western part of
the construction, we discovered several fragments of
the same biconical vessel, with a funnel-like, curving
neck and a smooth rim, and unprofiled flat bottom (T.
IV/79). The vessel had polished surfaces, it was
made of clay with additions of finely crushed stone,
well-baked, and grey in colour. Several fragments of
larger pots were discovered, which had a smooth rim,
beneath which the shoulder was decorated with a
series of horizontally imprinted finger tips. This series
of imprints was interrupted by a horizontally positioned
linguiform handle, also bearing the imprinted finger
tip ornament (T. IV/34). Apart from crudely made
pottery, several fragments of a finer quality were found,
with well-baked, polished surfaces. They belonged to

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MIHAJLOV PONOR ON MIRO^ TRIBAL CULT PLACES

larger vessels decorated with two parallel rows of

punctations forming a zigzag motive, or a horizontal
series of finger tip imprints on the section from the
neck to the shoulder of the vessel (T. IV/56). Apart
from ceramics, in this section, we came across a dark
blue bead of glass paste with eyes and a human tooth,
which we established had belonged to a young female
person.
Fig. 12 Appearance of construction 12 after
excavations, from the northeast
Sl. 12 Izgled konstrukcije 12 nakon
iskopavawa, sa severoistoka

Legend:
Beads of glass
Pottery
Human tooth
Earth base
Natural rock

Fig. 13 Base of construction 12 after excavations, with finds

Sl. 13 Osnova konstrukcije 12 nakon iskopavawa sa nalazima

STARINAR LVII/2007.

202

MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

Fig. 14 Base of construction 10a before excavations

Sl. 14 Osnova konstrukcije 10a pre iskopavawa

In the eastern, damaged section, nearer the centre of

the construction, there was a larger quantity of crushed
fragments of pottery.22 We found several fragments
of different vessels in the fissures of the rocks pots,
cups and bowls (T. IV/12). Approximately, in the
centre of the construction, there were several
fragments of the same vessel, a conical bowl with the
rim curving inwards, and a ring-like profiled bottom
(T. IV/10). Besides ceramics, there were also several

yellow or blue glass paste beads. Notably, there was a

bead that was smaller in size, with protruding dark blue
eyes framed in white, and what appeared probably to

_____________
22 Fresh breakages are visible on most of these fragments,
caused by the unauthorised diggers, and it is possible that some of
the ceramic material was also looted.

MIHAJLOV PONOR ON MIRO^ TRIBAL CULT PLACES

be a dark blue, double bead (traces of the other part of

the bead were visible) without eyes. Moreover, in this
part too, we found one more human tooth that had also
belonged to a female person, whereas there were no
metal finds or animal bones (Fig. 1213).
We were able to distinguish the so-called walking
path around construction 12, at the intersection of the
southwest to the northwest side. Here, an iron spring
was discovered, most probably part of a fibula (T.
V/13).
An arrowhead with two perforations originated
from this construction (T. V/4) and an iron belt-lock,
made of thin sheet iron, the central, reinforced part of
which was decorated with a series of horizontal,
engraved lines (T. V/10).23
Construction 10a was situated two meters northeast
of construction 10. This construction was not noticed
in earlier research because it differed from the others.
Namely, unlike most of the others, this construction
had no outer ring, and it was formed between the
natural rocks. Most of the interior of this construction
was under large blocks of rock, and only a small space
was strewn with earth and small, crushed stones. It
appears that two units, which were separated by natural
rock, were formed inside this construction (Fig. 14).
In our research, we divided it into the western, larger,
and the eastern, smaller half. We established the
dimensions of the construction to be 5.8 7.3 m.
Although there were small holes in the southwestern
part, it had not been devastated. The western part of the
construction was full of archaeological material
either left in the fissures of the rocks or arranged with
the stones used to level out the construction. Among
the more crudely made pottery, we distinguished
fragments of large pots with a smooth rim, the
shoulders of which were decorated with a series
of horizontal finger tip imprints, interrupted by
horizontally positioned tongue-shaped handles, also
decorated with finger prints (T. IV/34). We also
found several fragments of small, conically shaped
pots, with thinner walls, made of poorly sifted clay
and badly baked. The most frequent examples of finer
ceramics were fragments of bowls. These were
mainly conically shaped, shallow or deep bowls, with
faceted or twisted rims curving inwards and a flat
unprofiled bottom (T.VI/46), with polished surfaces,
well-baked, in brownish-grey or black. We also found
several fragments of conical cups of poorer make,
badly baked, the colour of which was dark red
(T.VI/1). We also discovered several pieces of cups,
made of poorly sifted clay, with additions of small

STARINAR LVII/2007.

203

granulated stone, with polished surfaces, badly baked,

and their colours ranged from brownish-grey to
brownish-red. The neck of these vessels was gently
curved outwards and the smooth rim was connected
to the shoulder with two, band-like handles, elevated
above the rim. The bottom was flat and unprofiled.
On the shoulders of certain fragments, there were
horn-like protrusions (T. VI/10). We recorded parts of
miniature vessels with a gently undulating, unprofiled
rim, a short cylindrical neck, an accentuated ball-like
belly and flat unprofiled bottom (T. VI/3). In this
section, we also found the bottom of a vessel made of
well-sifted clay, the inside of which was decorated with
three concentric cannelures (T. IV/11).24 Furthermore,
we discovered parts of a large biconical vessel an
amphora, with a gently undulating rim, the shoulder
of which was decorated with a series of diagonal finger
tip imprints. On each side of the broadest section of
the belly, there were horizontal tongue-like handles.
The bottom of the vessel was flat, the surfaces were
polished, and it was well-baked and brownish-red in
colour (T. VI/13).
The western part of the construction was found to
contain several metal objects. There was an iron,
triangular arrowhead, with elongated edges of the
arrow blades, with two perforations in the upper part
(T. V/5). We then discovered an intact, iron knife
with a gently curved blade (T. V/12), and not far from
it was a piece of iron plating, probably the handle of
the knife (T. V/9). Below the hole in the southwestern
part, at a depth of 0.2 m, when emptying the space in
the fissure of the rock, we found a gold link an
earring, with a circular cross section and open ends
(T. V/15; Fig. 15).
In this section, we came across some 15 beads of
glass paste (yellow and dark blue with two pairs of
eyes), of different shapes and dimensions, among
which we distinguished a small double bead (T. V/16).
Here, we also found several small pieces of animal
bones, as well as the small portion of a human skull.
In the eastern part of the construction, the situation
was identical to that in the western part. In the fissures
of rock, we collected several fragments of shallow or

_____________
22 Fresh breakages are visible on most of these fragments,
caused by the unauthorised diggers, and it is possible that some of
the ceramic material was also looted.
23 These items, too, were confiscated from the treasurehunters.
24 Tasi} 1983, 133, Fig. 84/14.

204

MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

Legend:
Glass beads
Iron arrowhead
Iron plating
Iron knife
Pottery
Golden ring
Earth at the base
Natural rock

Fig. 15 Base of construction 10a after excavations, with finds

Sl. 15 Osnova konstrukcije 10a nakon iskopavawa sa nalazima

deep conical bowls, with twisted or faceted rims,

curving inwards (T. VI/78), some specimens of
which had a tongue-shaped handle on the shoulder (T.
VI/9). Also featured were a certain number of
fragments of conically-shaped cups, made of poorly
sifted clay (T. VI/2), while there was a prevalence of

pieces of crudely made pots, some of which were

decorated with fingertip imprints. We also found
pieces of a biconically-shaped amphora, with vertical
applications on each of the shoulders, and large
horizontally positioned linguiform handles on the
belly (T. VI/12). The bottom of the amphora was flat,

MIHAJLOV PONOR ON MIRO^ TRIBAL CULT PLACES

Fig. 16 Appearance of construction 10a after

excavations, from the northwest

205

Fig. 17 Test-pit, ceramics in situ

Sl. 17 Probna sonda, keramika in situ

Sl. 16 Izgled konstrukcije 10a nakon

iskopavawa, sa severozapada

with polished surfaces; it was poorly baked, and

brownish-grey in colour. We singled out a small cup
with two handles elevated above the rim, linking it on
each side to the shoulders. The rim was accentuated
by a horizontal rib, beneath which was a horizontal
series of punctated circles (T. VI/11). The vessel was
made of poorly sifted clay, poorly baked and its colour
was dark brown.
In this section we found four beads of glass paste
(three blue, and a yellow one, with two pairs of eyes),
as well as several pieces of carbonised, fragmented
animal bones. Of the metal finds, we discovered two
arrowheads, identical to the other specimens (Fig. 15;
T. V/67).
After construction 10a was emptied (Fig. 16), the
surrounding area was cleared in a width of two meters.
Like in the previous constructions, we established the
existence of a means of access (walking path) that
was identically formed, and situated in the northwestern and south-eastern part.
On the plateau about 70 m away from the first
constructions (31) on Mihajlov ponor, we also opened
a test-pit of a size of 4 2.5 m. The cultural layer was
at a relative depth of 0.2 0.25 m to 0.45 m. Other
than several fragments of pottery from the Early Iron
Age, which was unearthed in the first two excavation
layers, the remaining material belonged to the horizon
of incrusted @uto Brdo pottery. The ornamented
ceramics were made of clay and were well baked.
Besides pieces of biconical bowls with gently widening

STARINAR LVII/2007.

rims and teat-like protrusions on the shoulders (T.

VII/4), most of the fragments were from cups. These
were small, biconically shaped vessels with handles
that were slightly raised above the level of their rims
(T. VII/58). The ornamental motives consisted of
parallel sheaves of lines or punctations, zigzag lines,
concentric circles, garlands, etc. (T. VII/711). The
ornament was filled with a white colour. We singled
out the fragment of a cup decorated with a symbol of
the sun (T. VII/12), like the specimens from Zbrdile
near Korbova,25 and similar to the cups from the
Govora Sat hoard.26 In addition, we discovered part
of a torso and waist of an anthropomorphic figurine,
ornamented with concentric circles and series of
parallel lines incrusted with a white colour (T. VII/13).
Apart from decorated, there was a considerable quantity
of undecorated pottery. It mainly consisted of fragments
of larger ceramic vessels, possibly hearth vessels for
cooking, made of poor quality clay and badly baked
(T. VII/1), as well as pieces of crudely made pots with
big tunnel-like, hollow handles (T. VII/23). Besides
the ceramics, we found a small bead of light blue
glass paste with one eye (Fig. 17) and a fragmented
stone axe, with a circular hole for the handle (T. VII/
14).

_____________
25
26

Babovi} 1984, 68, fig. 72/67.

Morintz 1978, 68, fig. 4041; Tasi} 1997, 84, fig. 21.

206

MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

Furthermore, metal detection was carried out over

the broader surface of this plateau and on that occasion,
we discovered an iron spear and a fibula (T. VIII/
1011), part of a sickle and several specimens of
ancient bronze money.
Apart from the excavations, reconnaissance was
also performed over the broader area of Mount Miro~.
On the local road between Miro~ and Petrovo selo, in
a place called Dobre vode, exactly 5,200 m northwest
of Mihajlov ponor, we discovered two more stone
constructions (Fig. 1). The larger construction, which
had a diameter of 12 m, was undamaged, except for
a small hole in the middle, while the smaller
construction, of a diameter of 8 m, was completely
dug up in its central and eastern sections. Both
constructions had an outer ring consisting of a series
of broken stones. As opposed to the constructions on
Mihajlov ponor that were erected on rock, these were
formed on soil but the levelling layer was identical,
that is, one could clearly see the system of arranging
the broken stones, the movable archaeological material
and the earth (Fig. 18). Around the outer ring of
the construction that had been harrowed, in the
southeastern and southwestern sections, we found a
layer of beaten earth mixed with broken stones (a
so-called walking path). From this construction, we
collected several pottery fragments that were identical
to those from Mihajlov ponor. Besides pieces of
crudely made, large vessels, some of which were
decorated with moulded bands with fingertip
imprints, we found several pieces of more finely
made pottery, parts of bowls and especially cups, and
their ornaments consisted of linear engravings or
punctations. We found part of the iron plating from
the handle of a knife, and a fragmented iron belt-lock
and a fragmented arrowhead with two perforations.
From local treasure-hunters, we retrieved three more
arrowheads with two or three perforations, several
belt-locks, an iron fibula and a knife (T. VIII/19),
which they had taken from this construction.
***
The ceramic finds from the Mihajlov ponor locality
undoubtedly belong to the post-Basarabi horizon.
This kind of ceramic material was also discovered in
other places in northeastern Serbia, that is, in the
localities of Klju~, on Biljevina near Velesnice,
Mihajlovac, Ru`enka27 and Kuznjica.28 It is possible
that the grave finds from Ribnica near Donji Milanovac
should also be attributed to this period.29 One should

especially single out a bowl with a spool-shaped handle

modelled on the rim itself, which is identical to the
specimen from the Zlotska pe}ina (cave), of the type
we find among the ceramic material of the late Early
Iron Age in southern Serbia and in Kosovo.30 Besides
those already mentioned, analogies of this ceramic
material can also be found in several localities in
Pomoravlje (the Morava river basin).31 Moreover, the
connections with Oltenia, that is, with the Ferigile
group, are evident.32 This primarily refers to the conical
bowls with the rims curving inwards, which have teat-like or tongue-like handles on the shoulders, conically
shaped cups with handles extending upwards above
the rim, crudely made barrel-shaped pots with an
unprofiled rim and moulded bands on the shoulder, as
well as small pots of finer make, with a narrow
horseshoe-like handle, similar to the Thracian or Gettic
pots from the lower Danube region.33
Apart from pottery, the large number of metal
objects clearly shows that the stone constructions on
Mihajlov ponor can reliably be attributed to the late
phase of the Early Iron Age. Evidence of this is seen
in the large number of arrowheads made of thin, sheet
metal, with two or more perforations, reliably dated to
the VI century BC, which were discovered in several
places in eastern Serbia.34 Next, unilateral spring bow
fibulae with a rectangular beaten foot (Marvinci
Gogou type) were found in the Novi PazarAtenica
horizon, that is, they belong to the end of the VI and
the first decades of the V century BC.35 The closest
analogy to the fibula from Mihajlov ponor originated
from the localities dating from the end of the Early
Iron Age in OlteniaGogou, Ostrovul Mare, and

_____________
27 Jevti} 1983, 1112, T. IX, T. XI/710, T. XII; Jevti}
1984, 20209, fig. 203.
28 Jovanovi} 1972, 12.
29 Vasi} 1997, 95.
30 Vasi} 1990, 63; Jevti} 2004, 150, fig. 84; Pekovi},
Jevti} 2007, 131, fig. 4/7.
31 Stoji} 1986, 18, T. 25; Stoji} 1990, 180,fig. 121.
32 Vasi} 1987, 667.
33 Vulpe 1967; Gara{anin 1971, 54, Pic. 483; Jovanovi}
1972, 12; Jovanovi} 1974, 16; Jevti} 1983, 1112, T. XI/10; Jevti} 2004, 157160.
34 A large number of similar arrowheads were discovered at
the Kornjet locality in the village of Podgorac, near Boljevac. Vulpe 1967, 66, fig. 21, 199-208; Vasi} 2004, 16; Stoji} 2006, 78, fig.
6-7; Pekovi} 2006, 34, fig. 2-5; Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007, 133, fig.
3/1-4, Pic. 6/1-3.
35 Jevti}, \or|evi} 1997, 29; Lazi} 1994, 149-153.

MIHAJLOV PONOR ON MIRO^ TRIBAL CULT PLACES

207

Fig. 18 Dobre vode, detail of the excavated construction

Sl. 18 Dobre vode, detaq raskopane konstrukcije

then in PomoravljeUm~ari, as well as in the lower

course of the River MlavaDrmno and Kostolac.36 A
fibula, with an identical profilation to this one from
Mihajlov ponor, was found in tumulus 4 of the
necropolis with cremations in Ieelnita, which was
dated to the second half of the VI century BC.37 This
type of unilateral spring fibula is also unique to
the post-Basarabi horizon, that is, to the late Zlot
Sofronievo group in northwestern Bulgaria.38
Poitrels with endings in the form of a gryphon or
a horses head belong to the Szentes-Vekerzug type, i.e.
the Scythian horizon of western Romania, as confirmed
by the finds in the necropolis of Curtea de Arge.39
Analogies are also evident in the poitrels from
Nagytarcse in Hungary, which date from the second
half of the VI century B.C.40 The iron knives with
blades curved in the shape of an arc and the rectangular
iron belt-locks are identical to the specimens from the
Zlotska Cave.41 Characteristic of the late Basarabi
culture is the upper part of a bronze, coil-shaped
pendent (from a horses harness), of the Ghidici type.42

STARINAR LVII/2007.

After reconnoitring the terrain of the broader

hinterland of \erdap in 2004, when the Mihajlov
ponor locality was discovered, we considered that this
referred to a devastated Early Iron Age necropolis with
tumuli like those found downstream from Kladovo,

_____________
36 Bader 1983; Tasi} 1983, 125-126, T. XXVIII/2; Jevti}
2004, 138.
37 Guma 1993, 237-239.
38 Nikolov 1965, 163-170, Abb. 2, 10 a, 12-13; Nikolov
1981, 30; Tasi} 1980, 45-46.
39 Vulpe 1967, 196, Pl. XVI/3; Vulpe 1970, Abb.3/4;
Prducz 1954, 29-43; Prducz 1974, 316-320.
40 Bakay 1971, 25-26, 92, Pl. VII; Parovi}-Pe{ikan
1994, 104, fig. 1/3.
41 Nikolov 1965, 164, Abb. 1/i-l; Jevti} 2004, 143, Pic.
79; Pekovi} 2006, 35; Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007, 129, fig. 3/15;
134, fig. 6/10.
42 Kilian 1975, 133, T. 91; Kilian-Dirlmeier 1984, 6-10; Tasi} 1983, 115, fig. 75-b; Jevti} 1994, 77-85, fig. 7-10; Jevti}
2004, 138, fig. 74;

208

MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

in the VajugaPesak necropolis,43 or in Oltenia and

the Rumanian part of \erdap.44 However, after the
research conducted in the period 20052007, we are
inclined to believe that these constructions were
special cult places (where certain cult rituals were
performed) or kinds of forest shrines on Mount
Miro~. In the last few years, the idea of the existence of
sacred forests is particularly frequent in Bulgaria,
where they are identified as locations where the
northern Thracians erected their shrines.45 Apart from
that, the circular stone constructions like these on
Miro~, which are linked to the hallowed places of a cult,
have been discovered in Sboryanovo in northeastern
Bulgaria.46
The constructions at Mihajlov ponor, and located
in other spots on Mount Miro~, belong to the period
from the end of the VI century BC, and from the
territorial and cultural aspect, we can certainly identify
the Tribali as the ethnic occupants of this complex

of structures, who inhabited the region from the

Morava to the Iskera at that time.47 The large number
of locations where they were registered, in other
words, the widespread territorial distribution of
these constructions suggests the long duration of this
religious phenomenon, leading to their typological
homogeneity and, at the same time, to the assumption
that they may have served as votive altars, which were
distinct from the funeral rite. Even though a more
complete votive inventory is missing, which makes it
difficult for us to draw any substantial conclusions, we
nevertheless recognise the heterogeneity of the finds
from the constructions, and the different chronological
periods and cultures they belonged to.
Furthermore, one can perceive a certain link
between these constructions and the settlements,
dating from the Late Bronze Age, registered in their
immediate neighbourhood.

_____________
Popovi}, Vukmanovi} 1998.
Dumitrscu 1968, 177-191; Guma 1993, 220-242.
45 Teodossiev 1995, 371-384; Theodossiev 1998, 15-27;
Theodossiev 2003, 93-101.
46 Stoyanov et al. 2006, 48-49, fig. 70-71.
47 Papazoglu 1969, 413-419; Vukmanovi} 1990, 49; Stoji}
1990, 38; Vasi} 1997, 91-100; Jevti} 2004, 156; Pekovi}, Jevti} 2007, 140.
43
44

MIHAJLOV PONOR ON MIRO^ TRIBAL CULT PLACES

209

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MIHAJLOV PONOR ON MIRO^ TRIBAL CULT PLACES

Rezime:

211

MILO[ JEVTI], Filozofski fakultet, Beograd

MIRKO PEKOVI], Vojni muzej, Beograd

MIHAJLOV PONOR NA MIRO^U

TRIBALSKA KULTNA MESTA

Lokalitet Mihajlov ponor na Miro~u otkriven je

krajem 2004. godine, tokom detaqnog arheolo{kog rekognoscirawa {ireg zale|a \erdapa. Nalazi se na
pribli`no 13 km severoisto~no od sela Miro~, u podno`ju brda Kowska i Visoki ^ukar sa jedne i ^oka
Grekuluja sa druge strane, na mawem uzvi{ewu koje je
okru`eno vrta~ama, i zahvata povr{inu od pribli`no jednog hektara. Na tom prostoru registrovano je
preko trideset kamenih konstrukcija. Periferni prsteni sastavqeni su od prirodnih stena i lomqenog
kamena, a unutar wega je mawi prsten formiran od
sitnije lomqenog kamena. Prostor izme|u wih zasut
je sitnim komadima lomqenog kamena i zemqom. Kod
pojedinih konstrukcija nije konstatovan mawi unutra{wi prsten, ve} je prostor okru`en velikim prstenom samo zasut mawim komadima kamena i zemqom.
Pre~nik tih kamenih konstrukcija kre}e se od 4 m do
12 m, dok visina varira od 0,5 m do 1,3 m.
U dve mawe kampawe, tokom 2005-2006. godine, istra`ene su dve konstrukcije (7 i 9) kao i suhozid koji
se nalazi pribli`no 400 m jugoisti~no od Mihajlovog
ponora. U kampawi 2007. godine istra`ene su jo{ tri
konstrukcije (10, 10a i 12; sl. 2), a u potrazi za wihovim graditeqima, na platou oko 70 m od prvih konstrukcija (31) na Mihajlovom ponoru, otvorena je i
mawa probna sonda.
Kerami~ki nalazi sa Mihajlovog ponora, prikupqeni u ovim istra`ivawima, ukazuju na veze sa Oltenijom i grupom Feri|ile, odnosno pripadaju postBasarabi horizontu. Ovakav kerami~ki materijal
otkriven je na vi{e lokaliteta u severoisto~noj Srbiji, a analogije nalazimo i u kerami~kom materija-

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lu poznog hal{tata u Pomoravqu, ju`noj Srbiji i na

Kosovu.
Veliki broj metalnih predmet otkrivenih na Mihajlovom ponoru ukazuju da se ovo nalazi{te mo`e
opredeliti u mla|u fazu starijeg gvozdenog doba. Na
to upu}uju vrhovi strela od tankog gvozdenog lima,
pouzdano datovanih u VI vek p.n.e, potom jednopetqaste lu~ne fibule sa pravougaonom nogom (tip Marvinci Gogosu) datovanih u drugu polovinu VI veka p.n.e.
Tako|e i psalije sa zavr{ecima u obliku grifona ili
glave kowa opredeqene u tip Szentes-Vekerzug, tj. skitski horizon zapadne Rumunije (druga polovina VI veka), a to datovawe potvr|uje i gorwi deo kolutastog
priveska od bronze, tipa Ghidici, a koji je karakteristi~an poznoj Basarabi kulturi.
Kamene konstrukcije sa Mihajlovog ponora sigurno pripadaju periodu s kraja VI veka p.n.e. i mogu se
pripisati Tribalima, koji su u to vreme `iveli na
prostoru od Morave do Iskera.
Veliki broj lokacija na kojima su one konstatovane (Plo~e, Dobre vode, Beqanski put) ide u prilog
pretpostavci da smo na tragu tribalskih kultnih mesta, odnosno svojevrsnih {umskih svetili{ta na planini Miro~. Posledwih godina ova teza o postojawu
svetih {uma naro~ito je prisutna u Bugarskoj, gde se
one identifikuju kao lokacije gde su Severni Tra~ani podizali svoja kultna mesta.
Tokom ovih istra`ivawima do{li smo i do zakqu~ka da, najverovatnije postoji izvesna veza izme|u ovih konstrukcija i naseqa iz kasnog bronzanog
doba, a koja su evidentirana u wihovoj neposrednoj
blizini.

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MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

Plate I. Artifacts from constructions: VII 18, 1213; I 910, 15; X 11, 14; XI 16.
Tabla I: Predmeti iz konstrukcija: VII 18, 1213; I 910, 15; X 11, 14; XI 16.

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Plate II. Ceramics from construction VII

Tabla II: Keramika iz konstrukcije VII

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MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

Plate III. Ceramics from construction X

Tabla III: Keramika iz konstrukcije H

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Plate IV. Ceramics from construction XII

Tabla IV: Keramika iz konstrukcije XII

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215

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MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

Plate V. Metal artifacts from constructions X, XII and X a

Tabla V. Metali predmeti iz konstrukcije: X, XII i X a

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Plate VI. Ceramics from construction X a

Tabla VI. Keramika iz konstrukcije X a

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217

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MILO[ JEVTI], MIRKO PEKOVI]

Plate VII. Ceramics from test-pit

Tabla VII. Keramika iz probne sonde

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Plate VIII. Metal artefacts: Dobre vode 19; Mihajlov ponor plateau 1011.
Tabla VIII. Metalni predmeti: Dobre vode 19; plato Mihajlov ponor 1011.

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