cave log

Location: Bitelica
Entrance Orientation:
Entrance Altitude:
Cave Formation: Horizontal
Cave Map:

Main Research years: 1977

Occupation Eras and Dates: Neolithic

Sources: 

Zekan, M.  1977.  Novi Arheoloski Nalazi u Pecinama Srednje Dalmacije.  Vjesnik Split 70-71, 137-47.

chronicles

Cave Description: Tamnica Cave is located north of Sinj, on the other side of the river Cetina. After 250m of the highway that extends form Bitelic, the road separates into a dirt road to the east and leads up to a bridge. From there, the footpath runs along the canyon to the north of the Culak ruins. Opposite the north side Tamnica cave is located high up in the cliff. During the rainy period the entrance of the cave flows with spring water whilst a siphon lake appears at the end of the cave. From the cave entrance there are powerful and striking views of the surorunding landscape. 

Research Chronicles and Data: The cave has three entrances, of which the largest and most accessible one and is situated northwest. The entrance points towards to the north end of the entrance leading to another venue. Near the beginining of the cave  there are two sinter column. The first is the higher sinter column is  a sleek stone block, probably created by humans. Two fragments of impresso ceramics were found between two pillars and the southeast wall of the cave. this shows the existance of a previously unknown style from the time of the Early Neolithic.

Pottery
1. Fragments of ceramics with reddish-brown exterior and a black interior surface were tempured with a mixture of smaller grains. Ornaments preserved on the outer surface of the pottery were in two parallel rows which were created by pressing bone onto the exterior.

2.  Fragments of pottery of Cervena color were found and contained a greater mixture of bigger grains in the tempur. Three rows of impresso decroation which run parallel to one another where found on the pottery.