Status of monument -> National monument
Published in the Official Gazette of BiH, no. 03/11.
Pursuant to Article V para. 4 Annex 8 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Article 39 para. 1 of the Rules of Procedure of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments, at a session held on 26 October 2010 the Commission adopted a
D E C I S I O N
I
The historic site of the prehistoric tumulus and Grebnice necropolis with stećak tombstones at Bunčići in the village of Radmilovića Dubrava, Municipality Bileća, is hereby designated as a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hereinafter: the National Monument).
The National Monument consists of the prehistoric tumulus, graves and Grebnice necropolis at Bunčići in the village of Radmilovića Dubrava with 291 stećak tombstones.
The National Monument is located on a site designated as ... (old survey), corresponding to cadastral plot no. 422/3 (new survey), title deed no.145, Land Register entry no. 10, c.p. no. 422/10, title deed no. 145, c.p. no. 422/10, title deed no. 173, c.p. no. 422/11, title deed no. 173, Land Register entry no. 32, cadastral municipality Baljci, Municipality Bileća, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The provisions relating to protection measures set forth by the Law on the Implementation of the Decisions of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments, established pursuant to Annex 8 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of Republika Srpska no. 9/04, 70/06 and 64/08) shall apply to the National Monument.
II
The Government of Republika Srpska shall be responsible for providing the legal, scientific, technical, administrative and financial measures necessary for the protection, conservation and presentation of the National Monument.
The Commission to Preserve National Monuments (hereinafter: the Commission) shall determine the technical requirements and secure the funds for preparing and setting up signboards with basic details of the monument and the Decision to proclaim the property a National Monument.
III
To ensure the on-going protection of the National Monument on the area defined in Clause 1 para. 3 of this Decision, the following protection measures are hereby stipulated:
- all works are prohibited other than research and conservation-restoration works and routine maintenance works, including those designed to display the monument, with the approval of the Ministry responsible for regional planning in Republika Srpska (hereinafter: the relevant ministry) and under the expert supervision of the heritage protection authority of Republika Srpska (hereinafter: the heritage protection authority);
- no works shall be carried out to tidy the necropolis, remove self-sown vegetation or clear lichens and moss from the stećak tombstones, or make good any damage, without a prior repair, restoration and conservation plan, and with the approval of the relevant ministry and under the expert supervision of the heritage protection authority;
- the site of the monument shall be open and accessible to the public, and may be used for educational and cultural purposes;
- a wooden fence up to 1.30 m in height shall be erected around the tumulus and the necropolis with stećak tombstones;
- the area is a potential archaeological site, and any investigative works must be carried out in the presence of an archaeologist;
- the dumping of waste is prohibited.
The Government of Republika Srpska shall be responsible in particular for ensuring that the following measures are carried out:
- drawing up and implementing a project for the repair, restoration and conservation of the site;
- drawing up a Management Plan for the site.
IV
All movable artefacts found during the course of the archaeological survey shall be deposited in the nearest museum able to provide the necessary personnel, material and technical conditions or in the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, processed, and suitably presented.
All movable and immovable archaeological material found during the course of the archaeological investigations shall be professionally analyzed.
Upon completion of the archaeological works the archaeologist in charge of the investigations shall submit a report to the Commission and to the institution that conducted the investigations.
The archaeologist leading the investigations must have access to all the movable and immovable archaeological material found during the course of the investigations and until his/her report is completed, for a period not exceeding three years.
All immovable finds shall be conserved in situ as the archaeological investigations proceed, and the movable archaeological material shall be conserved and placed for safe keeping in a suitable storage facility.
Upon receipt of a report on the investigations conducted, the Commission shall identify which movable artefacts shall be subject to protection measures to be determined by the Commission.
The removal of the movable artefacts referred to in para. 1 above from Bosnia and Herzegovina is prohibited.
By way of exception to the provisions of paragraph 2 of this Clause, if the leader of the investigations determines that a given archaeological artefact must be processed abroad, and provides evidence to that effect to the Commission, the Commission may permit the temporary removal of the artefact from the country subject to detailed conditions for its export, treatment while out of the country and return to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
V
All executive and area development-planning acts are hereby revoked to the extent that they are not in accordance with the provisions of this Decision.
VI
Everyone, and in particular the competent authorities of Republika Srpska, and urban and municipal authorities, shall refrain from any action that might damage the National Monument or jeopardize the preservation thereof.
VII
The Government of Republika Srpska, the relevant ministry, the heritage protection authority, and the Municipal Authorities in charge of urban planning and land registry affairs, shall be notified of this Decision in order to carry out the measures stipulated in Articles II – VI of this Decision, and the Authorized Municipal Court shall be notified for the purposes of registration in the Land Register.
VIII
The elucidation and accompanying documentation form an integral part of this Decision, which may be viewed by interested parties on the premises or by accessing the website of the Commission (http://www.kons.gov.ba).
IX
Pursuant to Art. V para. 4 Annex 8 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, decisions of the Commission are final.
X
On the date of adoption of this Decision, the National Monument shall be deleted from the Provisional List of National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of BiH no. 33/02, Official Gazette of Republika Srpska no. 79/02, Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH no. 59/02, and Official Gazette of Brčko District BiH no. 4/03), where it featured under serial no 83.
XI
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Gazette of BiH.
This Decision has been adopted by the following members of the Commission: Zeynep Ahunbay, Martin Cherry, Amra Hadžimuhamedović, Dubravko Lovrenović, and Ljiljana Ševo.
No.05.2-02.3-71/10-32
26 October 2010
Sarajevo
Chair of the Commission
Amra Hadžimuhamedović
E l u c i d a t i o n
I – INTRODUCTION
Pursuant to Article 2, paragraph 1 of the Law on Implementation of the Decisions of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments, established pursuant to Annex 8 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a “National Monument” is an item of public property proclaimed by the Commission to Preserve National Monuments to be a National Monument pursuant to Articles V and VI of Annex 8 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and property entered on the Provisional List of National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of BiH no. 33/02) until the Commission reaches a final decision on its status, as to which there is no time limit and regardless of whether a petition for the property in question has been submitted or not.
The Commission to Preserve National Monuments adopted a decision to add Bileća - Bunčići – prehistoric tumulus and Grebnice necropolis of stećak tombstones to the Provisional List of National Monuments of BiH under serial no. 83.
Pursuant to the provisions of the law, the Commission proceeded to carry out the procedure for reaching a final decision to designate the Property as a National Monument, pursuant to Article V, para. 4 of Annex 8 and Article 35 of the Rules of Procedure of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments.
Statement of Significance
The mediaeval tombstones known as stećci (pl. of stećak) are unique to Bosnia and Herzegovina and its neighbours. They provide impressive evidence of the growing economic power of Bosnian feudal society in the 14th century, the opening of mines, increasing urbanization, and the wish of individuals to display their status and power through the appearance of their tombstones. Evidence of continuity of habitation at this site since prehistoric times is provided by the stone tumulus on which some of the stećak tombstones are standing.
The National Monument consists of 291 stećak tombstones within a single, largely located on a prehistoric tumulus. The tombstones include slabs, chest-shaped and tall chest-shaped, gabled (sarcophagus-shaped), cruciform and nišan tombstones. Thirty-three are decorated with arcades, scrolling vines with trefoils, crosses, rows of rosettes and circular garlands, networks of rhombi, cable twist, a circular garland (“vodenica”), and hands/arms. In the 1970s seven epitaphs were identified in the necropolis, carved on two slabs, four chests and one gabled tombstone. Only two of these were identified in 2010 – those of Bunac Rušović, Crijep and Raško Vlahović.
II – PRELIMINARY PROCEDURE
In the procedure preceding the adoption of a final decision to proclaim the property a national monument, the following documentation was inspected:
- Documentation on the location and current owner and user of the property (copy of cadastral plan and copy of land registry entry).
- Data on the current condition and use of the property, including a description and photographs, data of war damage, data on restoration or other works on the property, etc.
- Historical, architectural and other documentary material on the property, as set out in the bibliography forming part of this Decision.
Pursuant to Article 12 of the Law on the Implementation of Decisions of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments Established Pursuant to Annex 8 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the following procedures were carried out for the purpose of designating the property as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Letter ref. 05.2-32.2-10/10-139 of 11 August 2010 requesting views and documentation on the designation of the prehistoric tumulus and Grebnice necropolis with stećci at Bunčići in the village of Radmilovića Dubrava, Bileća Municipality, was sent to Bileća Municipality (Mayor and the Department of Town Planning and Cadastral Affairs), the Ministry of Regional Planning, Construction and the Environment of RS, the Institute for the Protection of the Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage of RS, the Institute for the Protection of Monuments of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sport and the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Under cover of letters ref. 21.13-952.1-1-224-4/2010 and 21.13-952.1-1-224-4/2010 of 12.10.2010, the Department of Geodetics and Proprietary Rights Affairs of Republika Srpska, Bileća branch, provided a copy of the title deeds nos. 145 and 173 and copies of the cadastral plan for c.p. nos. 422/3, 422/10, 422/10 and 422/11, c.m. Baljci, Bileća Municipality.
- Under cover of letter ref. 07-40-4-3124-3/10 of 18 August 2010 the Institute for the Protection of Monuments of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sport provided details of the current status of the prehistoric tumulus and Grebnice necropolis with stećci at Bunčići in the village of Radmilovića Dubrava, Bileća Municipality.
- In letter ref. 15-624-3/10 of 1 September 2010 the Ministry of Regional Planning, Construction and the Environment of RS notified the Commission that it had no information concerning the prehistoric tumulus and Grebnice necropolis with stećci at Bunčići in the village of Radmilovića Dubrava, Bileća Municipality.
- The views of the owner had not been received at the time this Decision was adopted; the cadastral records indicate that the plots are the public property of Bileća and of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Bileća.
- Under cover of letter ref. 095-0-Rz-10-000754 of 7.12.2010, the Land Registry office of the Municipal Court in Trebinje supplied the Land Register records for c.p. nos. 422/1, 422/2, 422/3, 422/4, 422/6, 422/10 and 422/11. C.p. no. 422/7 is not in the cadastral records for c.m. SP Baljci, and no Land Register record was supplied for this plot.
The findings based on a review of the above documentation and the condition of the property are as follows
1. Details of the property
Location
The village of Radmilovića Dubrava is 3 km as the crow flies north-east of Bileća, at Bunčići. The prehistoric tumulus and Grebnice necropolis with stećak tombstones is at an altitude of 865 m, at 42°54'16.52"N 18°27'51.80"E
The National Monument is located on a site designated as ... (old survey), corresponding to cadastral plot no. 422/3 (new survey), title deed no.145, Land Register entry no. 10, c.p. no. 422/10, title deed no. 145, c.p. no. 422/10, title deed no. 173, c.p. no. 422/11, title deed no. 173, Land Register entry no. 32, cadastral municipality Baljci, Municipality Bileća, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Historical background
The earliest evidence of human culture and civilization in what is now Bileća Municipality dates from the Neolithic period, as evidenced by archaeological sites that have yet to be fully excavated. The oldest people to settle the region were the Illyrians. The grave mounds in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been identified as belonging to the prehistoric Illyrians, and are thus known as Illyrian tumuli(1).
The administrative and economic centre of the entire region during the Roman period was in the village of Panik in the river Trebišnjica valley, known in written works as Leusinium. A bridge spanned the river Trebišnjica very close to Leusinium; a surviving inscription recounting that the bridge was renovated during the reign of the Flavians, from 79 to 84 CE, is also the earliest written source on the area of this municipality.
The earliest reference to Bileća as a settled site is to be found in documents from the Dubrovnik archives, dating from 1286, referring to the place as Bilechia. The same sources also refer to Bileća under the same name in the 14th century as a major crossroads on the mediaeval caravan road. The ruins of the mediaeval fortified town of Toriča, referred to as belonging to the Pavlović family in the 15th century, are located very close to Bileća. Bileća came under Ottoman rule in 1466(2).
2. Description of the property
Grebnice-Bunčići in the village of Radmilovića Dubrava is about 4 km as the crow flies north-east of Bileća.
The necropolis, with 291 stećci, is in woodland on and to the west of a prehistoric tumulus. The stećci consist of 218 slabs, 64 chests, one gabled (sarcophagus-shaped), one pillar, one cruciform tombstone, one nišan and five that have sunk into the ground so that their shape could not be determined at the time this Decision was in preparation. The tombstones lie both west-east and north-south. They are of good workmanship, and 33 are decorated (five slabs, 26 chests, one cruciform and one gabled tombstone)(3) with arcades, scrolling vines with trefoils, crosses, rows of rosettes and circular garlands, networks of rhombi, cable twist, a circular garland(4) with a hand, and hands/arms.
Šefik Bešlagić reported that there were also seven epitaphs in the necropolis, carved on two slabs, four chests and one gabled tombstone, naming Vukša Dubčević, Bunac Rušović, Rašoje, Crijep and Raško Vlahović, Vitoje Daković, monk Gligorije and Rado Raičev(5). During the most recent survey of the necropolis, only two of these were identified, on two chests – those of Bunac Rušović, Crijep and Raško Vlahović. The rest of the stećci will have to be cleaned in order to identify the remaining epitaphs. Two tall chests with a round-dance scene, birds and animals running (deer?), the figure of a horseman and an epitaph relating to Vukša Dubčević, have been moved to the National Museum in Sarajevo(6). In conversation with local residents during the preparation of this Decision [give names of persons interviewed, date of their statements, who interviewed them – all in a footnote], it was learned that in addition to these two now in the National Museum, one has been moved to Zagreb [when? Check this information or state that it is not found in reference works nor has the present location been identified of the stećak said to have been removed], though they do not know which institution now houses it. The Drežnica quarry where the stećci were cut and dressed is about 2 km as the crow flies north-east of the necropolis.
Condition of the monument
The prehistoric tumulus is located on a plot designated as c.p. 422. Behind it, to the south-east, is a stone wall surrounding the adjoining arable land. Stećci nos. 12, 13, 14 and 15 stand on the middle of the tumulus, with nos. 16 to 19 on its north-west slope, and nos. 20 to 24 in a row to the west of the tumulus.
The tumulus is 10.05 m in diameter, about 1.50 m high, and 31.52 m in circumference, with an area of 85.56 m. The parts nearest the ground are overgrown with weeds and trees.
Condition of the stećci
Stećak no. 1 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 210x135x12(h) cm;
Stećak no. 2 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 215x90x11 cm;
Stećak no. 3 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x80x5 cm;
Stećak no. 4 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 200x98x18 cm;
Stećak no. 5 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 235x105x12 cm;
Stećak no. 6 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 223x125x23 cm;
Stećak no. 7 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 160x90x13 cm;
Stećak no. 8 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 190x95x10 cm;
Stećak no. 9 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 226x176x25 cm;
Stećak no. 10 – decorated chest, lying west-east, measuring 258x200x35 cm;
The top is decorated with a cross of which the top and cross arms are identical and terminate in circles; the lower arm terminates in a semicircle. The decoration is in a combination of relief and reverse relief.
Stećak no. 11 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 220x73x12 cm;
Stećak no. 12 – decorated chest with plinth, lying west-east, measuring 164x60x100 cm, plinth measuring 220x130x30 cm;
A frieze of scrolling vines with trefoils runs around the ends and sides, towards the top of the tombstone, with below it a band of interlace. The sides are also decorated with arcades of five narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 13 – decorated gabled tombstone with plinth, lying west-east, measuring 180x77x210 cm, plinth measuring 240x150x20 cm;
The sides are decorated below the roof panes with a combination of rosettes and diagonal lines, with arcades of five narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth. The ends bear the outlines of decorations that could not be identified.
Stećak no. 14 – decorated chest, lying north-south, measuring 115x65x41 cm;
A frieze composed of a network of rhombi runs around the ends and sides, towards the top of the tombstone.
Stećak no. 15 – chest with plinth, lying north-south, measuring 155x65x85 cm, plinth measuring 215x105x26 cm;
Stećak no. 16 – decorated chest, overturned onto its north side, lying west-east, measuring 122x30x180 cm;
A frieze can be seen on the south side, consisting of a scrolling vine with trefoils, below which arcades of five narrow intercolumnar spaces extend down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 17 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 195x102x20 cm;
Stećak no. 18 – decorated chest with plinth, overturned onto its west side, lying north-south, measuring 172x55x190 cm, plinth measuring 203x154x15 cm;
The east side is decorated with arcades of five narrow intercolumnar spaces extending down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 19 – chest, lying north-south, measuring 180x92x33 cm;
Stećak no. 20 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 140x120x15 cm;
Stećak no. 21 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x85x28 cm;
Stećak no. 22 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 173x87x28 cm;
Stećak no. 23 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 175x78x30 cm;
Stećak no. 24 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 165x80x30 cm;
Stećak no. 25 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 210x170x37 cm;
Stećak no. 26 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 115x70x15 cm;
Stećak no. 27 – slab, lying north-west/south-east, measuring 188x110x20 cm;
Stećak no. 28 – chest, lying north-south, measuring 225x190x40 cm;
Stećak no. 29 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 185x120x25 cm;
Stećak no. 30 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 200x148x23 cm;
Stećak no. 31 – chest with plinth, lying west-east, plinth sunken, measuring 185x63x180 cm;
Stećak no. 32 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 208x106x15 cm; (stećak no. 31 has fallen on it);
Stećak no. 33 – chest with plinth, lying west-east, measuring 120x62x75 cm; plinth measuring 205x150x17 cm;
Stećak no. 34 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x92x10 cm;
Stećak no. 35 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 165x105x12 cm;
Stećak no. 36 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 173x85x15 cm;
Stećak no. 37 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 187x112x25 cm;
Stećak no. 38 – chest, lying north-south, measuring 188x95x37 cm;
Stećak no. 39 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 185x110x30 cm;
Stećak no. 40 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 183x110x20 cm;
Stećak no. 41 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 178x108x28 cm;
Stećak no. 42 – decorated chest with plinth and epitaph, lying west-east, measuring 170x69x134 cm, plinth measuring 220x160x22;
A frieze of scrolling vines with trefoils runs around the ends and sides, towards the top of the tombstone, with below it a band of interlace. The epitaph, recording that Bunac Rušović lies there, is on the west end of the tombstone.
Stećak no. 43 – decorated chest with plinth and epitaph, lying west-east, measuring 150x70x120 cm, plinth measuring 195x140x12;
A frieze of scrolling vines with trefoils runs around the ends and sides, towards the top of the tombstone, with below it a band of interlace. The epitaph, which is on the west end and south side, records that Crijep and Raško Vlahović lie there.
Stećak no. 44 – decorated chest with plinth, lying west-east, measuring 170x55x156 cm, plinth measuring 200x125x15;
A frieze of scrolling vines with trefoils runs around the ends and sides, towards the top of the tombstone, with below it a band of interlace. The north side is decorated with arcades of five narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth, and the outlines of what could be arcades can also be seen on the south side.
Stećak no. 45 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 90x48x33 cm;
Stećak no. 46 – decorated chest with plinth, overturned onto its south side, lying west-east, measuring 135x55x120 cm, plinth measuring 180x118x15 cm;
The north side is decorated with arcades of five narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 47 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 170x85x25 cm;
Stećak no. 48 – decorated chest, lying west-east, measuring 155x57x115 cm;
A frieze of scrolling vines with trefoils runs around the ends and sides, towards the top of the tombstone, with below it a band of interlace. The sides are decorated with arcades of five narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 49 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 125x57x8 cm;
Stećak no. 50 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 167x73x12 cm;
Stećak no. 51 – chest with plinth, lying west-east, measuring 165x37x152 cm, plinth measuring 178x115x height unknown – the plinth has sunk into the ground;
Stećak no. 52 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 210x160x26 cm;
Stećak no. 53 – chest with plinth, overturned onto its south side, lying west-east, measuring 160x60x135 cm, the plinth could not be measured as stećak no. 54 has fallen onto it;
Stećak no. 54 – decorated chest with plinth, overturned onto its south side, lying west-east, measuring 190x47x155 cm, plinth measuring 220x165x17 cm;
The north side is decorated with arcades of five narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 55 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 185x106x40 cm;
Stećak no. 56 – tall chest with plinth, decorated, lying west-east, measuring 170x55x190 cm, plinth measuring 200x177x10;
A frieze of scrolling vines with trefoils runs around the ends and sides, towards the top of the tombstone, with below it a frieze of interlaced diagonal lines. Below that, each side is decorated with an arcade of five stylized round-headed arches extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 57 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 255x1185x15 cm;
Stećak no. 58 – slab, lying north-south with a deviation to the east, measuring 210x140x15 cm;
Stećak no. 59 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 175x140x20 cm;
Stećak no. 60 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 214x174x15 cm;
Stećak no. 61 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 162x100x35 cm;
Stećak no. 62 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 190x104x27 cm;
Stećak no. 63 – chest with plinth, lying west-east, measuring 130x62x110 cm; plinth measuring 200x120x10;
Stećak no. 64 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 167x94x15 cm;
Stećak no. 65 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 142x88x10(visible height) cm;
Stećak no. 66 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 170x157x20 cm;
Stećak no. 67 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 170x130x26 cm;
Stećak no. 68 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x75x15 cm;
Stećak no. 69 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 227x200x25 cm;
Stećak no. 70 – tall chest with plinth, decorated, lying west-east, measuring 153x60x162 cm, plinth measuring 200x100x12 cm;
A frieze of scrolling vines with trefoils runs around the ends and sides, towards the top of the tombstone. The sides are decorated with arcades of six narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 71 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 92x50x13 cm;
Stećak no. 72 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 182x126x25 cm;
Stećak no. 73 – decorated slab, lying west-east, measuring 144x104x23 cm;
The surface is decorated with a frame of cable twist, with a protuberance in the middle above which is a cable-twist garland or “vodenica”.
Stećak no. 74 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 177x68x80 cm;
Stećak no. 75 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 144x60x27 cm;
Stećak no. 76 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 197x134x20 cm;
Stećak no. 77 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 215x178x30 cm;
The surface is decorated with two circles, with between them, in the middle, two parallel lines terminating in semicircles.
Stećak no. 78 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 127x64x8 cm;
Stećak no. 79 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 203x147x20 cm;
Stećak no. 80 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 195x118x6 cm;
Stećak no. 81 – decorated chest with plinth, lying north-south, measuring 152x42x162 cm, plinth measuring 208x125x15 cm;
Both sides are decorated with arcades of six narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 82 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 176x92x18 cm;
Stećak no. 83 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 102x78x10 cm;
Stećak no. 84 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 221x150x23 cm;
Stećak no. 85 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 209x150x19 cm;
Stećak no. 86 – decorated slab, lying north-south, measuring 206x152x18 cm;
The surface of the tombstone is decorated with a Greek cross of which the arms widen towards the top.
Stećak no. 87 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 188x125x25 cm;
Stećak no. 88 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 200x125x33 cm;
Stećak no. 89 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 210x150x30 cm;
Stećak no. 90 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 214x120x15 cm;
Stećak no. 91 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 223x150x36 cm;
Stećak no. 92 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 170x94x36 cm;
Stećak no. 93 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 166x73x19 cm;
Stećak no. 94 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 174x102x26 cm;
Stećak no. 95 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 195x88x38 cm;
Stećak no. 96 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 200x120x40 cm;
Stećak no. 97 – decorated chest with plinth, overturned onto its south side, lying west-east, measuring 140x50x144 cm, plinth measuring 180x130x10 cm;
The north side is decorated with arcades of five narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 98 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 160x74x57 cm;
Stećak no. 99 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 212x165x26 cm;
Stećak no. 100 – chest with plinth, lying west-east, measuring 130x44x125 cm, plinth measuring 200x123x18;
Stećak no. 101 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 160x84x24 cm;
Stećak no. 102 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 184x100x20 cm;
Stećak no. 103 – tall chest, decorated, overturned onto its west side, lying north-south, measuring 160x44x170 cm;
The east side is decorated with arcades of six narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 104 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 140x82x9 cm;
Stećak no. 105 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 210x143x26 cm;
Stećak no. 106 – stećak of indeterminate shape;
Stećak no. 107 – tall chest with plinth, decorated, overturned onto its north side, lying west-east, measuring 148x40x128 cm, plinth measuring 198x135x20;
The south side is decorated with arcades of five narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 108 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 215x155x35 cm;
Stećak no. 109 – slab, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 166x100x12 cm;
Stećak no. 110 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 205x156x25 cm;
Stećak no. 111 – slab, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 125x84x13 cm;
Stećak no. 112 – slab, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 143x115x12 cm;
Stećak no. 113 – tall chest with plinth, decorated, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 165x51x198 cm, plinth measuring 230x166x14 cm;
A frieze of scrolling vines with trefoils runs around the ends and sides, towards the top of the tombstone, with below it a frieze of parallel lines. Below this, the sides are decorated with and arcade of five stylized round-headed arches extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 114 – slab, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 113x80x10 cm;
Stećak no. 115 – slab, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 168x115x20 cm;
Stećak no. 116 – slab, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 224x140x23 cm;
Stećak no. 117 – slab, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 166x97x22 cm;
Stećak no. 118 – slab, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 157x94x10 cm;
Stećak no. 119 – slab, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 195x156x21 cm;
Stećak no. 120 – slab, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 160x97x16 cm;
Stećak no. 121 – slab, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 172x119x15 cm;
Stećak no. 122 – slab, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 186x102x30 cm;
Stećak no. 123 – chest with plinth, decorated, lying west-east (deviation to the north), measuring 160x60x115 cm, plinth measuring 194x102x17;
Two parallel horizontal lines extend along the ends and sides, indicating that there was once a frieze here, now timeworn and not clear enough to identify.
Stećak no. 124 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 177x86x25 cm;
Stećak no. 125 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 170x75x12 cm;
Stećak no. 126 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 98x60x14 cm;
Stećak no. 127 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 156x73x35 cm;
Stećak no. 128 – decorated slab, lying west-east, measuring 160x68x25 cm;
The surface is decorated with a cross, the lower arm of which is longer, and the top and cross arms of which end in a semicircle.
Stećak no. 129 – chest with plinth, lying west-east, measuring 76x38x40 cm, plinth measuring 105x75x10 cm;
Stećak no. 130 – chest with plinth, lying west-east, measuring 83x53x23 cm, plinth measuring 110x65x10;
Stećak no. 131 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 98x43x20 cm;
Stećak no. 132 – chest, decorated, lying west-east, measuring 180x75x90 cm;
A frieze of scrolling vines with trefoils runs around the ends and sides, towards the top of the tombstone.
Stećak no. 133 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 123x62x45 cm;
Stećak no. 134 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 82x34x22 cm;
Stećak no. 135 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 123x65x15 cm;
Stećak no. 136 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 165x66x18 cm;
Stećak no. 137 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 170x95x25 cm;
Stećak no. 138 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 98x60x18 cm;
Stećak no. 139 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 225x86x15 cm;
Stećak no. 140 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 145x66x110 cm;
Stećak no. 141 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 153x68x75 cm;
Stećak no. 142 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 133x73x60 cm;
Stećak no. 143 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 195x95x15 cm;
Stećak no. 144 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 160x80x8 cm;
Stećak no. 145 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x90x15 cm;
Stećak no. 146 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 140x65x13 cm;
Stećak no. 147 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 158x90x17 cm;
Stećak no. 148 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 172x92x30 cm;
Stećak no. 149 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 174x90x33 cm;
Stećak no. 150 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 153x65x40 cm;
Stećak no. 151 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 110x60x20 cm;
Stećak no. 152 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 104x55x12 cm;
Stećak no. 153 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 93x56x15 cm;
Stećak no. 154 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 187x116x22 cm;
Stećak no. 155 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 160x95x9 cm;
Stećak no. 156 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x98x17 cm;
Stećak no. 157 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 130x55x22 cm;
Stećak no. 158 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 160x76x43 cm;
Stećak no. 159 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 150x60x30 cm;
Stećak no. 160 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 160x80x18 cm;
Stećak no. 161 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 195x110x30 cm;
Stećak no. 162 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 234x170x26 cm;
Stećak no. 163 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 190x135x25 cm;
Stećak no. 164 – tall chest with plinth, decorated, overturned onto its south side, lying west-east, measuring 160x45x175 cm, plinth measuring 215x154x10;
The north side is decorated with arcades of five narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 165 – slab, sunken, lying west-east, measuring 130 cm long and 80 cm wide;
Stećak no. 166 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 185x115x20 cm;
Stećak no. 167 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 150x73x30 cm;
Stećak no. 168 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 166x65x20 cm;
Stećak no. 169 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 138x70x17 cm;
Stećak no. 170 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 150x77x23 cm;
Stećak no. 171 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 195x75x12 cm;
Stećak no. 172 – chest with plinth, lying west-east, measuring 168x67x72 cm, plinth measuring 212x130x22 cm;
Stećak no. 173 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 140x85x20 cm;
Stećak no. 174 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 210x100x52 cm;
Stećak no. 175 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x115x30 cm;
Stećak no. 176 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 180x107x43 cm;
Stećak no. 177 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 200x115x10 cm;
Stećak no. 178 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 182x100x16 cm;
Stećak no. 179 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 175x85x15 cm;
Stećak no. 180 – slab, lying west-east, broken in two, measuring 220x103x9 cm;
Stećak no. 181 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 240x115x10 cm;
Stećak no. 182 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 207x88x13 cm;
Stećak no. 183 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 150x68x14 cm;
Stećak no. 184 – slab, lying north-east/south-west, measuring 187x73x24 cm;
Stećak no. 185 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 200x120x30 cm;
Stećak no. 186 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 190x110x16 cm;
Stećak no. 187 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 210x140x34 cm;
Stećak no. 188 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x120x27 cm;
Stećak no. 189 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x134x30 cm;
Stećak no. 190 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 255x193x14 cm;
Stećak no. 191 – tall chest with plinth, decorated, overturned onto its south side, lying west-east, measuring 145x46x140 cm, plinth measuring 210x175x30 cm;
A frieze of scrolling vines with trefoils runs around the ends and the visible north side, towards the top of the tombstone; below it the north side is decorated with four stylized round-headed arcades extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 192 – slab, lying north-east/south-west, measuring 140x90x28 cm;
Stećak no. 193 – slab, lying south-east/north-west, measuring 215x160x17 cm;
Stećak no. 194 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 175x125x12 cm;
Stećak no. 195 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x123x30 cm,
At the east end is a semicircular pillar composed of three moulded sections abutting against the slab, with a cross in relief in the middle. The pillar is 56 cm high, 22 cm thick and 40 cm wide.
Stećak no. 196 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 205x142x10 cm;
Stećak no. 197 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x165x20 cm,
Stećak no. 198 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 195x130x14 cm;
Stećak no. 199 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 203x154x18 cm;
Stećak no. 200 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 170x132x8 cm;
Stećak no. 201 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 190x115x20 cm;
Stećak no. 202 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 162x97x15 cm;
Stećak no. 203 – chest with plinth, lying west-east, measuring 138x50x156 cm, plinth measuring 230x180x20 cm;
A frieze of scrolling vines with trefoils runs around the ends and sides, towards the top of the tombstone, with below it a frieze of parallel diagonal lines. Below this, the sides are decorated with an arcade of with five stylized round-headed arches extending right down to the plinth. The arches are in very shallow relief and have lost much of their clarity over the centuries.
Stećak no. 204 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 177x115x14 cm;
Stećak no. 205 – chest, lying north-south, measuring 230x174x38 cm;
Stećak no. 206 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x120x28 cm;
Stećak no. 207 – slab, sunken, lying north-south, measuring 160 cm long with a visible height of 7 cm;
Stećak no. 208 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 210x130x40 cm;
Stećak no. 209 – nišan, sunken, 110 cm high and 42 cm wide;
Stećak no. 210 – sunken slab, lying west-east;
Stećak no. 211 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 176x130x18 cm;
Stećak no. 212 – slab, decorated, lying west-east, measuring 140x90x15 cm;
The surface of the tombstone bears a motif of an open hand with above it a circular garland, both in relief.
Stećak no. 213 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 200x145x25 cm;
Stećak no. 214 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 206x120x17 cm;
Stećak no. 215 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 178x105x25 cm;
Stećak no. 216 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 168x87x17 cm;
Stećak no. 217 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 225x135x22 cm;
Stećak no. 218 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 162x135x22 cm;
Stećak no. 219 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 194x132x27 cm;
Stećak no. 220 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 182x106x20 cm;
Stećak no. 221 – slab, sunken, lying west-east, measuring 200 cm long and 140 cm wide;
Stećak no. 222 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 168x100x14 cm;
Stećak no. 223 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 243x200x14 cm;
Stećak no. 224 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 240x190x22 cm;
Stećak no. 225 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 188x154x25 cm;
Stećak no. 226 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 164x130x17 cm;
Stećak no. 227 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x90x20 cm;
Stećak no. 228 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x85x15 cm;
Stećak no. 229 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 175x85x17 cm;
Stećak no. 230 – slab with cruciform tombstone, lying west-east, plinth measuring 190x84x12 cm, cross 87 cm high, 47 cm wide and 10 cm thick;
Stećak no. 231 – slab with cruciform tombstone, lying west-east, plinth measuring 145x60x10 cm, cross 110 cm high, 37 cm wide and 20 cm thick;
Stećak no. 232 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 156x80x23 cm;
Stećak no. 233 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 193x94x13 cm;
Stećak no. 234 – slab with cruciform tombstone, lying west-east, slab measuring 150x95x10 cm, cross 60 cm high, 43 cm wide and 11 cm thick;
Stećak no. 235 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 150x60x10 cm;
Stećak no. 236 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 154x88x15 cm;
Stećak no. 237 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 265x220x30 cm;
Stećak no. 238 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 200x116x20 cm;
Stećak no. 239 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x96x22 cm;
Stećak no. 240 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 190x110x10 cm;
Stećak no. 241 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 175x96x20 cm;
Stećak no. 242 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 196x88x15 cm;
Stećak no. 243 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 217x95x12 cm;
Stećak no. 244 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 190x100x20 cm;
Stećak no. 245 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 198x113x15 cm;
Stećak no. 246 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 145x62x13 cm;
Stećak no. 247 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 190x106x12 cm;
Stećak no. 248 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 148x110x18 cm;
Stećak no. 249 – slab, sunken, lying west-east, measuring 140 cm long and 77 cm wide;
Stećak no. 250 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 170x95x10 cm;
Stećak no. 251 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 195x80x8 cm;
Stećak no. 252 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 170x84x10 cm;
Stećak no. 253 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 175x85x10 cm;
Stećak no. 254 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x85x8 cm;
Stećak no. 255 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 150x90x15 cm;
Stećak no. 256 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 177x110x20 cm;
Stećak no. 257 – tall chest with plinth, overturned onto its west side, lying north-south, measuring 140x40x174 cm, plinth measuring 234x172x174;
A combined frieze of rosettes and scrolling vines with trefoils runs around the ends and the visible east side, with below it, on the visible east side, and arcade of five stylized round-headed arches extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 258 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 210x165x37 cm;
Stećak no. 259 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 238x160x28 cm;
Stećak no. 260 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 163x85x13 cm;
Stećak no. 261 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 190x105x10 cm;
Stećak no. 262 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 152x107x20 cm;
Stećak no. 263 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 200x170x26 cm;
Stećak no. 264 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 208x144x12 cm;
Stećak no. 265 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 190x150x16 cm;
Stećak no. 266 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 227x127x30 cm;
Stećak no. 267 – tall chest with plinth, decorated, overturned onto its north side, lying west-east, measuring 170x45x176 cm, plinth measuring 280x230x24 cm;
The south, visible side is decorated with arcades of five narrow intercolumnar spaces extending right down to the plinth.
Stećak no. 268 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 242x191x23 cm;
Stećak no. 269 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 177x117x17 cm;
Stećak no. 270 – cruciform tombstone, leaning off true, decorated, 180 cm in height, 90 cm wide and 20 cm thick;
The tombstone has been cut with the cross arms chamfered at the top and the top arm in the form of a circle; the lower arm is longer. It bears a [what?] in relief: the top arm bears a circle joining to two curved lines in relief echoing the cross arms.
Stećak no. 271 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 210x125x8 cm;
Stećak no. 272 – sunken, lying west-east, measuring 155 cm long and 85 cm wide;
Stećak no. 273 – sunken, lying west-east, measuring 235 cm, long and 110 cm wide;
Stećak no. 274 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 150x90x10 cm;
Stećak no. 275 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 180x110x26 cm;
Stećak no. 276 – sunken, lying west-east, measuring 140 cm long and 90 cm wide;
Stećak no. 277 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 214x152x22 cm;
Stećak no. 278 – chest, lying west-east, measuring 234x195x33 cm;
Stećak no. 279 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 318x230x20 cm;
Stećak no. 280 – sunken, lying west-east, measuring 150 cm long and 130 cm wide;
Stećak no. 281 – slab, lying west-east, measuring 165x85x8 cm;
Stećak no. 282 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 142x90x10 cm;
Stećak no. 283 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 202x105x20 cm;
Stećak no. 284 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 152x65x6 cm;
Stećak no. 285 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 173x90x7 cm;
Stećak no. 286 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 137x80x7 cm;
Stećak no. 287 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 120x68x15 cm;
Stećak no. 288 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 140x85x10 cm;
Stećak no. 289 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 168x77x17 cm;
Stećak no. 290 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 175x95x13 cm;
Stećak no. 291 – slab, lying north-south, measuring 140x82x15 cm;
3. Legal status to date
The records relating to the protection of the property were inspected during the drafting of this decision, and the findings are as follows:
The Regional Plan for BiH to 2000 lists 33 sites of necropolises with stećci (1734 stećci in all) in Bileća Municipality as Category III monuments, with identifying them in detail(7).
A letter from the Institute for the Protection of Monuments of the Federal Ministry of Culture ref.07-40-4-3124-3/10 of 18 August 2010 states that the property is listed under the heading:
- Prehistoric tumulus and mediaeval necropolis, Grebnice-Bunčići, Radmilovića Dubrave, Bileća. The prehistoric tumulus is near the village of Bunčići. Dating from the Bronze or Iron Age. The Grebnice-Bunčići necropolis of stećak tombstones is on and to the west of the tumulus, in woodland. 190 surviving stećci. Late mediaeval.
The property was not on the Register of Cultural Monuments of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Commission to Preserve National Monuments adopted a decision to add Bileća - Bunčići – prehistoric tumulus and Grebnice necropolis of stećak tombstones to the Provisional List of National Monuments of BiH under serial no. 83.
4. Research and conservation-restoration works
Šefik Bešlagić carried out investigative works, recording and assembling data on the stećci and publishing his findings in 1971(8).
The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina included details of the sites in Bileća in its comprehensive work published in 1988 in volume 3 of the Archaeological Lexicon(9).
The epitaphs on the stećci were studied and published by Marko Vego(10).
No conservation-restoration works have been undertaken.
5. Current condition of the property
The findings of on-site inspections conducted on 2 June and 12 and 13 October 2010 are as follows:
- the plots were identified by GPS, the coordinates taken, and the area of the protected zone was determined
- the prehistoric tumulus and the stećci standing on it were identified
- the parts of the tumulus nearer the ground are overgrown with vegetation
- the Grebnice necropolis with stećci is located in woodland
- some of the stećci are chipped, damaged, overturned, or partly or wholly sunken into the ground
- plant organisms (lichen and moss) are present on the stećci to a greater or lesser extent
- some of the stećci are overgrown with low-growing vegetation and sunken, making it impossible to examine them in detail.
6. Specific risks
- deterioration of the site as a result of long-term neglect
- adverse effects of the elements
- self-sown vegetation
III – CONCLUSION
Applying the Criteria for the adoption of a decision on proclaiming an item of property a national monument (Official Gazette of BiH nos. 33/02 and 15/03), the Commission has enacted the Decision cited above.
The Decision was based on the following criteria:
A. Time frame
B. Historical value
C. Artistic and aesthetic value
C.i. quality of workmanship
C.ii. quality of materials
C.iii. proportions
C.v. value of details
D. Clarity
D.ii. material evidence of a lesser known historical era
E. Symbolic value
E.i. ontological value
E.ii. religious value
E.ii. traditional value
G. Authenticity
G.i. form and design
G.ii. material and content
G.iii. use and function
G.iv. traditions and techniques
G.v. location and setting
G.vi. spirit and feeling
H. Rarity and representativity
H.i. unique or rare example of a certain type or style.
The following documents form an integral part of this Decision:
- Ownership documentation
- Copy of cadastral plan for c.p. no. 422/3, title deed no. 145, c.p. no. 422/10, title deed no. 145, c.p. no. 422/10, title deed no. 173, c.p. no. 422/11, title deed no. 173, c.m. Baljci Municipality Bileća. Scale 1:6250; issued by the Department of Geodetics and Proprietary Rights of Republika Srpska, Bileća branch, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (letter ref. 21.13-952.1-1-224-4/2010 and 21.13-952.1-1-224-4/2010 of 12.10.2010)
- Land Register entry nos. 32 and 10, c.m. SP Baljci, Municipality Bileća, issued by the Land Registry office of the Municipal Court in Trebinje, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina (letter ref. 095-0-Rz-10-000754
- Documentation on previous protection of the property
- Letter ref. 07-40-4-3124-3/10 of 18 August 2010 from the Institute for the Protection of Monuments of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sport
- Letter ref. 15-624-3/10 of 1 September 2010 from the Ministry of Regional Planning, Construction and the Environment of RS
- Photodocumentation
- Photographs taken on 2 June and 12 and 13 October 2010 by historian Zijad Halilović using Canon EOS 450D digital camera
- Technical documentation
- Technical drawings of the property (plan of the necropolis and drawings of the stećak tombstones), measured and recorded on 12 and 13 October 2010 by historian Zijad Halilović, architect Nermina Katkić and architect Arijana Pašić
Bibliography
During the procedure to designate the monument as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina the following works were consulted:
1964. Vego, Marko. Zbornik srednjevjekovnih natpisa Bosne i Hercegovine, knj. III (Collected mediaeval epitaphs and inscriptions of BiH Vol. III). Sarajevo: National Museum, 1964, 20-23 and 58-59
1964. Vego, Marko. “Novi i revidirani natpisi iz Hercegovine” (New and revised epitaphs and inscriptions from Herzegovina). Sarajevo: Jnl of the National Museum, 1964, 188-189
1971. Bešlagić, Šefik. Stećci, kataloško-topografski pregled (Stećak tombstones, a catalogue and topographical survey). Sarajevo: Veselin Masleša, 1971, 390
1980. Various authors. Regional Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina, phase B – valorization of natural, cultural and historical assets. Sarajevo: Institute for Architecture and Town and Country Planning of the Faculty of Architecture in Sarajevo and the Planning Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, 1980
1982. Bešlagić, Šefik. Stećci – kultura i umjetnost (Stećci, culture and art). Sarajevo: Veselin Masleša, 1982
1988. Arheološki leksikon Bosne i Hercegovine (Archaeological lexicon of BiH), Vol. 3. Sarajevo: National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1988, 157-197
Text from the Decision designating the historic building of St Sava's church in Bileća as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina, no. 06.2-2-72/06-5 of 17 May 2006 (Official Gazette of BiH no. 90/06).
(1) Prehistoric grave mounds or tumuli are tombs built of an accumulation of stone; they are conical in shape, with human graves within or beneath them. Their common name is gomila, but they are properly known by a variety of terms, including barrow, mound, burial mound, tumulus and hill (the terms used in the local language in Bosnia and Herzegovina are gomila, gromila, kamena gomila, grobna gomila, tumulus, unka, humka, unjka and zaspa). The tumuli found in Bosnia are small and low; those in Herzegovina are much larger. .
(2) Text from the Decision designating the historic building of St Sava's church in Bileća as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina, no. 06.2-2-72/06-5 of 17 May 2006 (Official Gazette of BiH no. 90/06).
(3) Š. Bešlagić reports that there were 40 decorated chests. Bešlagić, Šefik, Stećci, kataloško-topografski pregled, Sarajevo: Veselin Masleša. 1971, 390.
(4) Most scholars regard the circular garland as a solar symbol. Šefik Bešlagić believes that such garlands are indeed a solar symbol, a survival on stećak tombstones of the old solar cult, but reduced to decoration. Bešlagić, Šefik, Stećci, kultura i umjetnost, Sarajevo: Veselin Masleša, 1982, 172-174
(5) Bešlagić, Šefik, Stećci, kataloško-topografski pregled, Sarajevo: Veselin Masleša. 1971, 390.
(6) Bešlagić, Šefik, Ibidem, Sarajevo: Veselin Masleša. 1971, 390.
(7) Various authors, Regional Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina, phase B – valorization of natural, cultural and historical assets, Sarajevo: Institute for Architecture and Town and Country Planning of the Faculty of Architecture in Sarajevo and the Planning Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, 1980, 52
(8) Bešlagić, Šefik, Stećci, kataloško-topografski pregled, Sarajevo: Veselin Masleša, 1971, 389-390.
(9) Arheološki leksikon Bosne i Hercegovine, Vol. 3, Sarajevo: National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1988, 157-197
(10) Vego, Marko, Zbornik srednjevjekovnih natpisa Bosne i Hercegovine vol. III, Sarajevo: National Museum, 1964, 20.-23 and 58.-59; “Novi i revidirani natpisi iz Hercegovine,” Sarajevo: Jnl of the National Museum, 1964, 188.-189.
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