By: Emir Medanhodžić
In the village of Vrtoča, about 20 km from the center of Bosanski Petrovac towards Bihać, lies a necropolis of stećci, mostly finely carved slabs bearing symbols of the crescent, lily, and cross. According to the Archaeological Lexicon, nine were previously recorded, but now only seven remain, oriented northwest–southeast.
This archaeological site is particularly interesting because Illyrian hillforts and Roman monuments were discovered here, as well as the remains of a medieval church, on whose foundations a modern Orthodox church was built in the 19th century. Interestingly, a hoard of about a hundred large Nubian copper coins (around 10 cm in diameter) was also found here, raising the question of how they came to this place.
Nubia was an ally of Carthage, so it is possible that during the First Punic War, Hannibal ordered payments to the Japodes to attack the Romans, stretch the front line, and assist Hannibal in reaching the gates of Rome.
Not much is known about the second necropolis, with around ten stećci on Škrakića Hill, as it has not been recorded. Based on the shape of the stećci, however, it appears to consist of some of the earliest examples: uncarved slabs and upright, unhewn megaliths.
I extend my thanks to my friend Elfiraz, who guided me through the sites in Bosanski Petrovac.
