Material Traces of Prehistoric Cultures in the Area of Hrvatsko Zagorje

Abstract

This paper gives an overview of the main sites and notions in the study of prehistory in the area of Hrvatsko Zagorje. The oldest stone artefacts, dated to the Lower Paleolithic, were discovered in Punikve near Ivanec, while the remains of Homo neanderthalensis from the Middle Paleolithic were discovered on Hušnjakov Brijeg in Krapina and in the Vindija cave. Although there were numerous accidental discoveries of stone tools and weapons from the Neolithic Period, only research in the area of Budinščina points to the possible existence of a Neolithic lake-dwelling settlement. For insights into the population of the Chalcolithic settlements of the Lasinja culture in the area of Cerje Tužno and Cerje Novo, as well as ceramics finds of the Višnjica type of the Retz-Gajary culture. The end of the Early Bronze Age and the Middle Bronze Age were characterized with sites where Litzen ceramics were discovered (Vindija, Velika Pećina, and others). The Late Bronze Age was characterized by the Urnfield culture with rich hoards of weapons, tools and jewellery. Many high-altitude forts date from this period, such as Židovski Grad, Kukelj, Želimor, Stari Grad in Krapina, and others. Architectural remains as well as different ceramic and metal artefacts discovered in Sveti Križ and the Our Lady of Gora shrine in Lobor belong to the Iron Age.