Mapping medieval tombstones in the municipality of Osmaci

Abstract

The first research of medieval tombstones on the territory of the municipality of Osmaci began in the first half of the 20th century. By 1970, eight sites with a total of ninety-seven medieval tombstones had been discovered. Recent terrain research correlated with the use of the Geographic Information System revealed a significant number of new necropolises. On the territory of the municipality of Osmaci, there are twenty-six necropolises with a total of two hundred and sixteen medieval tombstones. The most common are stelas, which makes up 59.26% of all monuments. According to that, the area of the municipality of Osmaci differs from other areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where tombstones in the shape of sarcophagi are most represented. The ornaments contain twenty medieval tombstones. The most common motifs are crosses and crescents that appear on stelas. In addition to that, relief presentations of the sun, spirals, S-spirals, grapes, rosettes, twisted ribbons, sword, lily were also discovered. According to the shape of the monuments and decorative motifs, it can be concluded that the medieval tombstones in the municipality of Osmaci belong to the East Bosnian stonemason’s school.