On Tuesday, 2nd of June 2015, the Macquarie Ancient History Association is hosting a presentation on archaeological excavations on Bribirska glavica “Croatia’s Troy”. The presentation will be held at Macquarie University, Museum of Ancient Cultures, X5B (3rd Floor) at 7 p.m.
Croatian Studies Foundation and Croatian Studies at Macquarie University from 2014 are involved in the project Varvaria-Breberium-Bribir, together with Department of Ancient History and Croatian partners: Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments from Split and Šibenik City Museum. The purpose of the project are archaeological excavations at Bribirska glavica near Šibenik. Bribirska glavica is extraordinary archaeological site, known also as „Croatian Troy“ because of richness of its cultural heritage for Croatian history. This was the home of powerful Šubići of Bribir, who maintained rule over Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the late Middle Ages. At Franciscan monastery of St Mary at Bribir (destroyed during the Ottoman occupation) St Nikola Tavelić – first Croatian saint – joined Franciscan order.
The excavations at Bribirska glavica were in the past obstructed by local Serbian community. The current project for a first time had the opportunity to excavate around current Orthodox church of SS Joachim and Ann. In two years, the excavations revealed large early Christian mausoleum and early medieval Old-Croat church, which lays below current Orthodox church. The excavations were coming with spectacular finds of early Croat artifacts, including the inscription in Latin dated in the time of Croatian duke Branimir who ruled in late 9th century.
Ambassador of Australia Susan Cox visited the Bribirska Glavica archaeological site with special guests the Deputy Vice Chancellor for International Relations from Macquarie University in Sydney, Professor Jim Lee, Croatian Ambassador to Australia Dr Damir Kušen, Mayor of Skradin, representatives from the City of Šibenik, Šibenik County, and the whole dig site team – including students from Macquarie University and students from Croatia. All guests were very pleased to see how the project is progressing.rom Macquarie University in Sydney, Professor Jim Lee, Croatian Ambassador to Australia Damir Kusen, Mayor of Skradin, representatives from the City of Sibenik, Sibenik County, and the whole dig site team – including students from Macquarie University and students from Croatia. All guests were very pleased to see how the project is progressing. (Photos available here).