COULD A CHURCH GRAVEYARD IN BUKOVAČA HIDE THE OLDEST “COSMIC DISC” IN KRAJINA?

Among the stone slabs removed from the floor of the church in Bukovača, near Bosanski Petrovac, during recent restoration works, an intriguing archaeological mystery has emerged.

PHOTO: Zdravko Samardžija

The carefully carved square ambo, measuring approximately 80 centimetres on each side, features remarkably precise geometric ornamentation. Its design raises questions about the age of the sacred site and whether the stone could preserve evidence of a much older Christian tradition than previously documented.

PERFECT GEOMETRY OF A “COSMIC DISC”

The composition appears to have been created according to a carefully calculated geometric scheme, using a compass and ruler rather than rough, improvised carving techniques.

A narrow outer stone frame, approximately two centimetres wide, surrounds a central celestial circle that appears to “float” within the square without touching its edges. Such a contrast between the earthly square and the heavenly circle can be interpreted through the symbolism of early Christian cosmology, in which the circle represented perfection and the heavenly realm.

THE CODE AT THE CENTRE: FROM FOUR TO EIGHT

At the centre of the composition is a small circle surrounded by a precisely carved groove. Four large petals emerge from this central motif, potentially symbolising the Four Gospels as well as the four cardinal directions.

Between the main petals, the carver added four pairs of curved leaf-like elements, positioned diagonally at approximately 45 degrees. The resulting rotation creates a visual transition from the fourfold structure to an eight-pointed composition.

The overlapping axes of the straight and diagonal crosses create an intriguing eight-pointed Christian motif, which can be interpreted as a symbol of eternity and resurrection.

CENTURIES OF FOOTSTEPS, NOT WEATHERING

One of the most remarkable features of the stone is the condition of its relief. Rather than showing the rough deterioration that might be expected from prolonged exposure outdoors, the edges of the petals and leaves appear smooth and slightly worn.

This could indicate prolonged human contact and centuries of foot traffic.

According to the historical interpretation surrounding the site, the stone may have been used inside a succession of places of worship — potentially including an early Christian or Late Antique basilica, a later wooden church, and eventually the masonry church built in the 19th century.

The church was destroyed in 1941, but the surviving stone may preserve traces of a much older sacred landscape.

A CLUE TO KRAJINA’S EARLY CHRISTIAN PAST?

The comparison with nearby medieval monuments makes the Bukovača stone particularly interesting. The medieval church of Panađur in Kolunić, generally associated with the 14th century, reflects a much more modest and rustic architectural tradition.

By contrast, the geometric sophistication of the Bukovača slab could point toward an earlier artistic tradition.

If archaeological and epigraphic research were to confirm a Late Antique or Early Byzantine date, the discovery could significantly deepen our understanding of the history of Christianity in the Bosanski Petrovac region.

For now, the stone remains an archaeological enigma rather than definitive proof of a 1,500-year-old uninterrupted Christian tradition.

But its unusual geometry, carefully planned symbolism and signs of prolonged wear make it a remarkable object — and potentially an important piece in the still incomplete story of Krajina’s ancient past.