ANCIENT ROMAN MONUMENT DISCOVERED NEAR ROGATICA

Rogatica, Bosnia and Herzegovina - A Roman-era monument, most likely dating back to the third century, has been discovered in the riverbed of the Rakitnica River near Rogatica. Archaeologist Mihajlo Džamtovski hopes this significant find will inspire both local and international researchers to initiate archaeological investigations in the Rogatica municipality.

PHOTO: SRNA

Džamtovski highlights the lack of systematic research on Roman-period remains in this region and the general scarcity of knowledge about the eastern part of the Roman province of Dalmatia, which once extended almost to the Western Morava River.

During his recent visit to Rogatica, Džamtovski confirmed that the discovered monument is dedicated to the Roman god Liber. After thorough analysis, he established that no prior academic works have documented this artifact.

"The limestone votive altar, with its simple inscription, has been identified as a dedication to Liber, the Roman god of fertility, nature, joy, agriculture, and wine, as well as the underworld counterpart of the Greek god Dionysus. The commissioner of the monument was a certain Marcus Ulpius Di," Džamtovski stated, as reported by SRNA.

Although part of the inscription was eroded by water, preventing full reconstruction of the commissioner's name, Džamtovski explains that comparisons with other recorded names in Rogatica and its surroundings suggest that Marcus Ulpius Di lived in the area during the period of Roman rule.

The monument's grayish-pink coloration indicates that it was likely made from locally sourced limestone. Based on the letter shapes, Džamtovski concludes that the monument dates to the third century. The inscription includes the commissioner’s personal name and family lineage, suggesting that his ancestors had obtained Roman citizenship during Emperor Trajan's reign (98-117 AD).

"The monument does not provide extensive information about the Roman settlement in Rogatica, leaving open the question of whether it had the status of a colony or an autonomous Roman city. However, the number of Roman monuments found in the area and the presence of Roman administrative officials in inscriptions strongly suggest the possibility of such a status," Džamtovski added.

He also praised the initiative of the monument's discoverer and the director of the Rogatica Tourism Organization, Predrag Ujić, for securing and preserving the artifact to protect it from further damage.

Džamtovski, who is preparing a doctoral dissertation at the University of Vienna on the Roman province of Dacia Mediterranea, clarifies that this late antique province is not directly connected to Rogatica, as it was located in the Niš-Sofia-Štip triangle. However, his interest in illuminating the past of underexplored regions like the Rogatica-Romanija area motivated his visit.

Predrag Ujić told SRNA that Džamtovski traveled to Rogatica after the local tourism organization publicized the discovery through media and social networks. The organization actively promotes the municipality’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

Additionally, Ujić noted that the tourism organization recently received an award for its efforts in tourism development during the summer season of 2024. The recognition was given for the creation of the educational-themed trail Grabovače in the Stara Gora region, developed in collaboration with the Tourism Organization of the Republic of Srpska.