Archaeological field survey in the area of construction of the New Port in Sisak

Institut za arheologiju iz Zagreba proveo je arheološko rekognosciranje područja izgradnje Nove luke Sisak u srpnju 2013. godine. Arheološki terenski pregled pokazao je kako je područje izgradnje Nove luke Sisak uglavnom nizinsko i močvarno područje s blago povišenim pojasom neposredno uz rijeku Savu. U terenskom pregledu otkrivena je zemljana struktura kružnog tlocrta promjera oko 55 metara s vidljivim manjim dodacima također kružnog tlocrta s južne i zapadne strane koji nalikuju kulama, i koja se datira u srednji ili novi vijek.The Institute of Archaeology carried out an archaeological field survey in the area of construction of the New Port in Sisak in July 2013. The investigation was directed by Dr Hrvoje Kalafatić from the Institute of Archaeology, with the participation of Dr Bartul Šiljeg and Marina Mađarević. The archaeological field survey showed that the construction zone of the New Port in Sisak mostly consists of a lowland marshy area with a slightly elevated strip adjacent to the Sava river. The area is divided into four zones with regard to the terrain configuration and the discovered archaeological sites. In zone 3 (Map 1), consisting of a slightly raised area of small plateaus north of the Sisak-Sunja railway, covered with forest vegetation, meadows and, in a minor part, cultivated land, the field survey did not reveal any archaeological sites. In favour of the existence of potential archaeological sites in zone 3 speaks the favourable terrain configuration and the toponym Gradine, with which this area is marked on maps, and which is used by the local population. An earthen structure observed in the relative vicinity to the west of this area was marked as zone 4. The toponym Gradine may have been named after this structure. The earthen structure of circular plan around 55 metres in diameter, with visible minor additions that resemble towers in the south and west, likewise of circular plan, situated adjacent to the railway, was distinguished as zone 4 (Fig. 2–4). The remains of concrete foundations of a modern-period structure were observed at the highest point of the earthen structure, and small fragments of daub are scattered over the entire surface of the earthen structure. Several fragments of mediaeval/modern-period pottery were observed, in spite of the fact that the entire structure is covered by dense grass (Fig. 5). Of the available online map services, the structure is most readily discernible on the Bing Maps and ARKOD services (Fig. 2–4). The position of the discovered structure does not match the fortification on Marsigli’s map (Fig. 1), since the latter fortification is drawn on the bank of the Sava. However, its layout is reminiscent of Marsigli’s drawings, so it is possible that this is a contemporary defensive structure, and the detailed research into the changes of the course of the Sava river might provide a new understanding about the discovered site and the site on Marsigli’s map