Archeological excavations in Macedonia

             The current territory of the Republic of Macedonia covers the northern half of Ancient Macedonia. The geographical position of the country played the most important role in Macedonian history as well as in the establishment of the people who live on its territiry. One should stress, first of all, the vicinity of the Aegean and East Mediteranean region with the greatest civilazations of ancient times as well as the long and significant roads from Central and Northern Europe that passed through Macedonia, as important factors for the development of this country. Those were the transmitters of cultural impulses from South-East towards the Northern parts and vica versa. Those same roads were used by many conquerers and colonialists and all of them left something in Macedonia.

Classical coloured vase, Demir Kapia

Two-headed cult object, Bitola

         Macedonia's long history left numerous suveniours from stone, clay, and metal in colour, form and manuscript. In 7000 BC the first Asian rural settlements on the Balkans emerged. Down the slopes of the river Vardar in Ovce Pole, near Stip, one of the oldest settlements has been discovered. The objects excavated from that region are preserved in the Museum in Stip. Similar objects have been found in the vicinity of Zelenikovo, south from Skopje. The Neolithic period is best known by the objects excavated in Pelagonia and preserved in the Museums in Prilep and Bitola. Porodin (near Bitola) is a settlement from early times (5000-4000 BC). Remains from the houses and everyday objects have been preserved. The greatest cultural and art values can be seen in the cult and religious objects, one of their kind in Europe. The most important are the sacrificial alters in the form of animals and two-headed monsters. All neolithic objects are made of clay.

The end of this period is illustrated with the discovered objects from Suvodol, Bitola district. Remains from dwellings are found in Struga, where the river Drim outflows from Lake Ohrid. New significant changes can be followed in the period between 12th and 9th century BC. In this period the territory of Macedonia was the target of barbaric attacks. Towns were burnt down and destroyed. The only remains are the tombs. These family graveyards are arranged around the grave of their leader. The most important burial objects are discovered near Stip, while the excavated objects are preserved in the Museums in Stip and Bitola. The remains point out that the men had arms and gear with them in the graves, while the women had jewlery and ornaments. The basic substance was bronze, however there are also traces from steel.

In 7th century BC the helenization of Macedonia commenced. Substantial and spiritual culture started to change. New type of cities were created where a class of rich people was distinguished. This process lasted until 6th century BC.

Aqueduct, Skopje

          The graves of the tribe leaders were very rich. Near Trebenista, northern part of Ohrid, a group of such graves has been discovered. The graves are full of luxurious objects: valuable bronze vases, golden burial masks and sandles, golden jewlery, bronze arms and gear, stained Egyptean glass, armours etc. This was one of the most richest towns in Europe. The objects from this grave could be found in the Museums in Sofia and Belgrade, while a very small part is in the Museum in Ohrid. All luxurious objects are made in the unique "combined" Ilyrian and Macedonian style.

In Tetovo a grave of a local leader has been found. The only preserved object is a small bronze Menada, figure kept in the Museum in Skopje.

The first written source from this region dates back from the period between 5th and 6th century BC. The autonomuous provinces Peonia, Pelagonia and Link existed then, whereas the most famous towns of the time were Openica, Velmoze

Trebenisko kale (Ohrid district), Gresnica, Beranci and Bukri (Bitola district), Mojno, Bonce, Prilepec and Dobriste (Prilep district). There are many remains of gold and silver jewlery, arms and vases from this period. Most of them were found in Demir Kapia in Peonia.

When the state was created by Alexander of Macedonia the Third, all of these regions lost their independence and towards the end of 3rd century BC they belonged to the Macedonians. Later, in the year 18 BC Macedonia was conquered by the Romans and 20 years after that it became a Roman province. The most interesting buildings were built in 2nd and 3rd century. An amphitheatre from the early peiod can be seen In Lihnid (todays Ohrid).

Stobi, amphitheatre

Heraclea, Bitola, extract from a mosaic

The remains of Heraclea Lincestis are located in the southern part of Bitola district. Early Roman buildings such as a square, small amphitheatre, big gate with beautiful marble statutes have been discovered here.

Remains from the old town Stibera have been found in the vicinity of Cepigovo, half way between Prilep and Bitola. Most conspiciuos are the two public buildings, the gymnasium with 10 different statutes and manuscripts in marble, as well as the temple of Tiha with splendid statutes of the donors. All of these buildings have been transformed into the Archeological Museum in Skopje.

Heraclea entrance	Marble head of a stature of the Egypetian underground ruler Serapis, Stobi

Coins of Macedonian kings, Philip the Second and Third, and a silver tetradrachma	Golden mask, typical for Pajon dukes, 6th century BC, Trebeniste, Ohrid

Ceramic zoo-morphic figures, Skopje, neolithic period

The best preserved amphitheatre from ancient times is made of marble and is located in Stobi. Theatrical plays were perfomed there at first, but later on gladiator fights took place there. In addition, a big amphitheatre was excavated from the ruins of the Roman collony Skupi. Unfortunately, all the decorations and stone seats have been taken and used in the construction of Fort Kale.

Rich stone decorations, 50 marble statutes of prominent people, 700 reliefs, icons, gravures, inscriptions and sacrificial marble statutes from the period between 1st and 3rd century are the distinctive features of that period.

          When the Goths entered (in 268) all of the Balkan cities were destroyed. In the early 4th century reconstruction of a small number of these cities started in accordance with the new urban plans. The cities were fortified with new walls, enriched with splendid mosaics and new basilicas, with newly built squares and roads. The biggest episcopal basilica in Macedonia was excavated in Stobi. When the Slavs came, the cities were plundered yet again. Lihnidos (Ohrid), Stobi, Bargila (near the river Bregalnica) all shared the same destiny.

Stobi, bath

Stature of a Goddess, Porodin, Bitola

         

A large number of churches from the 5th and 6th century, rich with architectonic decorations and plentiful with mosaics were excavated in the Ohrid region: near Studencista, Zaum-Trpejca, Radolista, Oktisi etc. The cultural and religious tradition towards the end of the ancient period was somewhat strong, and that was the reason why the Slavs were christianized in a relatively short period. In addition, the Early Slavonic churches emerged in that time. The old church St. Climent (9th century), excavated near the ruins of the church in Imaret, near Ohrid has to be mentioned.

The development of residential architecture is very interesting starting from cave dwellings and up to wooden structure houses. Only the floors, foundations and logs from these dwellings remain and they are kept in the Slav Museum in Prilepski Varos. A great number of written sources and buildings (mostly churches) remain from the Middle Ages. Also, many fortresses have endured in Macedonia, most of which are ruined and abondoned like those in Ohrid, Prilep, Skopje, Stip, Kratovo, Strumica, Valandovo; and in the legend of city Strez in Prosek above the high rocks of Demir Kapia.