The archaeological heritage

The area around the Krka River encompasses an entire series of important archaeological sites without which it would be difficult to discern the history of this region. Sites from all periods, from prehistory to the Middle Ages, are located in the National Park.

The Krka River basin is characterized by numerous natural characteristics that enabled the early inhabitation of this area since the prehistoric period. The Krka River was the lifeblood of this region throughout history, and it offered an inexhaustible source of drinking water, extensive pastures, fertile land, resources for building (stone, tufa, wood), as well as suitable dwelling places in caves or in fortified settlements on the prominent cliffs of the river canyon.

The oldest traces of human settlement in this area can be found in inaccessible cave sites, such as Jaznika and Oziđana pećina caves, which were inhabited from as early as the Neolithic (Late Stone Age). In addition to the cave settlements, hillfort settlements also existed, which were to become the dominant feature in the later phases of prehistory (the Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age), in the period marked by numerous ethnic migrations that were accompanied by conflict. The best known among the hillfort sites is Gradina at Puljane, where the Liburnian community of the Burnistae dwelled, and opposite which the military camp of Burnum was built in the Roman period.

The most significant site from the period of Roman rule is certainly the Roman military camp of Burnum with an amphitheatre, a world-class find. The remains of the Roman military camp of Burnum were located on the right bank of the Krka, in the area of the present-day village of Ivoševci. Today, the remains of arches that belonged to the basilica (court) are particularly visible, as well as the amphitheatre and campus (military training grounds), where abundant archaeological material was found during systematic archaeological excavations.

Life continued with equal intensity in the period of the Middle Ages, when prominent fortress-castles were established along the Krka River, such as Trošenj, Nečven, Bogočin, Ključica, Uzdah-kula, Rogovo, and Kamičak.