The Archaeological topography of the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska)

This paper is a contribution to the study of the archaeological topography of the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska). The Bay of Kotor, presently forming part of the State of Montenegro, is a natural and cultural monument of the Adriatic, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. It stands out as a specific natural entity, marked by a complex social development and recognizable for its unique cultural landscape, which was shaped through centuries. The archaeological topography of Boka is particularly interesting due to the fact that life has flourished in a relatively small area from prehistory to the present day. Based on our current knowledge we can say that, in addition to the most important stratified site in Boka – Risan –, there is a series of archaeological sites that complement the archaeological topography of the Boka Kotorska bay. Risan is the most important stratified archaeological site in Boka, with a rich layer from antiquity. The remains of monumental architecture, a necropolis, pottery, coins, mosaics, glass, and architectural fragments built as spolia into later buildings, speak of luxury, but also about the life of the town and its inhabitants. There are places in present-day Risan with in situ archaeological finds, where movable archaeological finds were discovered and where new finds can be expected. Systematic archaeological investigations and excavations have not yet started in the entire zone of the present-day town, except in the Carine area. There is also a documented underwater archaeological site in Risan with finds of sunken ships with their cargoes – amphorae, as well as a segment of Illyrian-Cyclopean walls, presently under the sea. There are numerous ancient remains in different parts of the Gulf of Kotor, comprising architecture and incriptions, pottery, mosaics and coins, at locations such as Sutorina, Kumbor, Rose, Žanjice (mosaic floor), Sv. Luka-Gošići, Bigova (mosaic floor), Pjaca (tesserae), Gomilica, Brda, Prevlaka (mosaic floors), Sveti Marko (Gabrio, Stradiotti), Ušće Nove Rijeke, Solila, Seljanovo, Opatovo, Kavač (mosaic floor), Mirine [Sutvara] (mosaic floor), Sveta Neđelja (Radanovići), Kotor, Perast (tesserae, mosaic), Kostanjica, Risan (Roman villa, floor mosaics, mosaic with Hypnos, vegetable motifs). Bref aperçu sur l’histoire de la baie de Boka Kotorska et des villes et sites en Monténégro. Courte synthèse présentant les connaissances et témoignages archéologiques sur la topographie. Apport des fouilles récentes à la connaissance topographique des villes et sites du Monténégro.