Maklavun

Maklavun

Maklavun is a hill and tumulus of the same name from the Bronze Age located near the village of Šošići near Rovinj. According to the way of shriveled burial, found ceramics and bronze blade, it is a building that is 3,500 to 4,000 years old.

It is an exceptional prehistoric, archaeological site similar to buildings from old Mycenae, which, in addition to the burial chamber (tholos), also has an entrance hall (dromos). As the orientation of the dromos faces the winter solstice, there are strong indications that it is the first such known solar observatory on Croatian soil. Due to the domed construction of the tholos, it is assumed that the tumulus was a tomb, a ritual temple and at the same time a solstice observation post.

The Bronze Age elite who lived in fortified castle settlements, were buried at Maklavun, similar to other tombs in the area.

Currently, Maklavun is a unique phenomenon in Istria, probably created as a result of imitating Greek buildings in order to highlight the importance of elite members of the local community.

Work at the quarry, as well as unscrupulous visitors, damaged the building on Maklavun, and therefore audit excavations and partial reconstruction were carried out in 1993 and 2012.

Dates of visit: 25.08.2019 & 24.10.2021

Sources

• Buršić-Matijašić, K., & Žerić, H. (2013). Pogrebni obredi i ukopi na istarskim gradinama u brončano doba. Tabula  : Periodicus Facultatis Philosophicae Polensis; Rivista Della Facoltà Di Lettere E Filosofia; Journal Od the Faculty of Humanities, No.11, 67–92. https://doi.org/10.32728/tab.11.2013.03
• Maklavun. (n.d.). Istrapedia. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://www.istrapedia.hr/hr/natuknice/1568/maklavun
• Istarski Newgrange. (n.d.). Nova Akropola. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://nova-akropola.com/kulture-i-civilizacije/tragom-proslosti/istarski-newgrange/