Southern Velebit Communities on the Crossroads: Trails, Resources and Challenges

Velebit, a large mountain range running parallel to the Eastern Adriatic coast, has always been a place of communication and separation, forming, in most instances, an insurmountable obstacle with only a few mountain passes as lifelines for the local communities. However, southern Velebit was – and still is – more hospitable and, as such, it had great importance in the communication between the lowland and the highland zones (e.g. the territories of Bukovica and Ravni Kotari with Lika and the deeper hinterland). This territory was often used by mobile cattle-breeders who were crucial for setting up first important trails over the mountain as well as for establishing trade hubs, and founding settlements situated on the higher zones of Velebit. However, since these communities lived in resource-scarce areas, they had to acquire many necessities from other territories, even distant settlements, creating a culture with a distinct identity, open to foreign influences. Unfortunately, this territory remained poorly researched for a long time and has only recently attracted more intense scientific scrutiny. Among the more notable research is the site of Gradina-Kneževići hillfort, situated near one of the mountain passes and the still inhabited hamlet, attesting to the resourcefulness and resilience of the societies living on this territory during the Iron Age. Therefore, this paper, based both on ancient sources and archaeological excavations, will present the Iron Age communities living in the area of southern Velebit, the interactions they had with other cultures, particularly in the context of continuities of roads and trails, and the resources they used to survive in this environment. As a case study we shall also present recent findings at the Gradina-Kneževići hillfort, which have provided an insight into the modalities of trade, transport, and life in this harsh environment.