The Foundation “Heritage Watchdogs – Bassania” is pleased to present a newly discovered, previously unrecorded necropolis of medieval tombstones in the village of Karauzovići, municipality of Novo Goražde. We reached this difficult-to-access location after nearly an hour and a half of strenuous ascent through dense forest.
This necropolis, previously unrecorded and not included in the Archaeological Lexicon of BiH, consists of 21 medieval tombstones. It is divided into two groups. The larger group is situated on an earthen Illyrian tumulus. The tombstones are in the forms of chest tombs, gable-shaped tombs, and slabs. Most of them have pedestals.
The tombstones were made from low-quality stone sourced from a nearby quarry, which has affected the craftsmanship. Most of the tombstones are completely covered in moss, making it impossible to determine whether they bear any symbols or inscriptions.
The primary orientation of the tombstones is north–south; however, many were moved during earlier looting and grave digging in search of “gold,” so some are now oriented northwest–southeast and northeast–southwest.
Due to the dense forest terrain and poor roads, it was not possible to definitively establish which medieval fortress the necropolis was associated with, but it is presumed to be connected to the Kosača nobility.
We thank our friend Almir from Goražde for his invitation and assistance in locating this necropolis.
