In the area of Bosanska Otoka, which got its name from the Roman town of Insula (island) on the banks of the Una River, the “Heritage Watchdogs – Bassania” Foundation found a previously unrecorded Japod fortress called “Humka” in the village of Godna.
From Bosanska Otoka, the Foundation team headed towards the village of Ivanjska, along the original Roman road that is still preserved, and then turned towards the village of Godna. The ascent to the hillfort was very demanding, but reaching the top filled us with satisfaction – because it is a unique Japodian hillfort.
The central part of the hillfort is made up of a large limit (defensive) tumulus, which is why Japod hillforts are specific. This tumulus is about 10 metres high, built by human hands from earth excavated for the construction of defensive moats.
Members of the Japodian-Illyrian tribe were buried on top and around the tumulus, along with their weapons, jewellery and ornaments. It was believed that the dead protect the living, and the living protect the dead – symbolism characteristic of Japodian culture.
Unfortunately, someone started excavating this mound as well, but gave up after excavating a metre deep from the top. Another characteristic of the Japod hillforts is that, due to the tongue-like configuration of the terrain (the so-called lingula), the easiest approaches were obstacles that defended the saddle of the fortress.
It is also important to note that rivers were always natural borders between Illyrian tribes – as here the river Una represented the border between Japod and Mezei, whose seat was around the Grmeč Mountain.
On the way back, we also found the remains of stone Latin inscriptions from the Roman temple in Ivanjska.
The “Heritage Watchdogs – Bassania” Foundation would like to thank its friend Senad for his help in finding the hillfort “Humka”.
Translated by Prijevodi.ba
