Results of the excavations at the tekki (tekija) site on the Spring of Buna River in Blagaj near Mostar

Abstract

Excavations of the remains of the old tekki (tekija) at the spring of Buna river in Blagaj near Mostar resulted with discoveries which are much older than the first building of tekki that have been erected after the Ottomans conquered this area. Our excavation ensured the complete reconstruction to its original shape. Old photographs showing the ruins of old tekki from the second half of the 19th century were also used for the proper reconstruction. Excavations have been made on the both sides of the approaching road, close to the existing tekki and tomb (turbe) . Four rooms have been excavated and a lot of attributed material from ottoman period was discovered (fragments of the painted mortar, clay pipes, fragments of pottery, pegs, horse shoes, knife blades, etc.).
Excavations also brought out many and very valuable discoveries about this site. Under the foundations of the old tekki building older foundations of the small building with apse were discovered. Remains of the floor pavement were also found which points to the antique construction. This could be a late antique basilica. Its existence at this site would have a full justification. This unique ambient with the rich water spring under the high cliffs as an ideal place for the cult rituals presumably attracted the people in all historical epochs.
Few meters from the river spring fragments of prehistoric pottery with charcoal and animal bones were discovered which indicates that people lived here in the prehistory and performed the rituals probably connected to the cult of water. The existing ambient was probably the reason why the members of Islamic dervish order built their tekki at the same spot.
This research campaign was also an opportunity for the survey of one of the caves in the cliffs above the hatch with the spring. Even though that is only possible to climb up to the cave with the alpinist equipment we managed to make the detailed survey. The findings revealed that people visited this cave during the long period from the Bronze and Iron Age until the Middle Ages.
A fireplace with many Bronze Age and Iron Age pottery fragments and numerous remains of the animal bones was excavated in the central part of the cave. A grave construction was found at one corner of the cave and it was determined that was used for the burial in prehistoric period, as well as in the middle Ages. Pieces of yellowish mineral are the valuable discovery in this area. It is recognized as sulphur which was used for the covering the prehistoric burial. Pieces of the faced wood (plank) and iron plates were found in the same trench. These planks are presumably related to the coffin from Middle Ages. Fragments of the beaker made of blue and white glass decorated with papillary applications are indicators for such dating. Similar beakers are well known from many medieval tombs from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Significant finding in this cave is the stone pillar. This is a cylindrical shape stalagmite with a spherical ending which reminds on phallus. It is 2.30 m tall with 70 cm in diameter. Several steps engraved in the bottom of the monument confirm its usage as a altar for the magical rituals of the prehistoric people. They were probably climbing up to reach it. Cult of phallus is confirmed by the ceramic findings in several sites in neighbouring Dalmatia (Danilo, Smilčić, Bribir). However the stone pillar from this cave, used as a phallus in the cult rituals represents the unique discovery in the wider area.
Excavations of the tekki were used to make the survey of another cave. It is also placed among the cliffs above the spring. Local people call it Vučje točilo (Wolfs pour). Prehistoric pottery dated in the period of early Neolithic until the Iron Age was discovered in the trench opened at the entrance of the cave. By these excavations archaeology of Bosnia and Herzegovina obtained another valuable site which complete researches are planned for the future.