Archaeologists from Dubrovnik Museums have uncovered a wealth of ancient artifacts in Crno Jezero Cave, located above Ponikve on the Pelješac Peninsula. The findings suggest the cave was used over millennia as a dwelling, burial ground, and sacred site, shedding light on local life spanning from the Bronze Age to the Late Middle Ages.

The team, led by archaeologist Domagoj Perkić, uncovered miniature Greek and local ritual vessels, fragments of a ceramic head likely representing a deity, and human remains from different periods. These discoveries were made during excavations carried out in late May and early June 2025.

The 238-metre-long, 94-metre-deep cave lies beneath a prehistoric stone mound on Ilino Hill. Its elevated position likely made it a significant place for local communities over the past 4,000 years. Two excavation trenches totaling 6 square metres revealed a complex history of use.

In the second millennium BC, the cave served as a temporary shelter or seasonal refuge during times of conflict or poor weather. From the 9th to 6th century BC, parts of the cave became a necropolis for a prehistoric community, as evidenced by skull fragments found within stone mounds.

The cave’s most intense period of use came in the final centuries before Christ, when Illyrian communities likely used it as a ritual sanctuary—similar to Vilina Cave near the Ombla River or Spila in Nakovana. Archaeologists discovered numerous miniature vessels of both Greek and local origin, likely left as votive offerings in religious ceremonies.

Luxury Greek wine vessels were also found—amphorae and cups not used in everyday Illyrian life, but as symbols of status and part of unknown wine-based rituals. Among the most striking finds is a fragment of a ceramic head, likely representing a Greek deity, with preserved curly hair—a typical feature of sacred sites from that era.

The cave’s final recorded use dates back to the 13th century. In a deep and difficult-to-access section, skeletal remains of one or more individuals were found without accompanying artifacts. Radiocarbon dating confirmed their age, but their presence remains a mystery—whether they were buried intentionally or became trapped inside remains unknown.

Though modest in scale, the excavation provides valuable insight into the spiritual, social, and domestic life of the Pelješac region across thousands of years.