Archaeological Guide of Kosovo

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Municipium D.D. (‘Dardanorum’)
The archaeological site of Municipium DD (Dardanorum) is situated
in the northern part of Kosovo, located approximately 27 kilometres north
of Mitrovica, in the Municipality of Leposavic, localized in the village of Socanica.
In one side, the site is positioned in an excellent geographical place, set
between the Iber and Socanica river flow and on the other side, surrounded
by Rogozna and Kopaonik mountains. The surrounding zone used to be rich
in precious metals (gold and silver), therefore, due to these natural resources,
the occupancy grows from a small settlement to a one of the most important
ancient urban centres, very active during the roman ruling. When consulting
the written sources and the ancient literature, or even the roman itineraries,
there is not even one written word in regard to the sites existence. Nevertheless,
the settlement ancient occupation was evidenced due to the systematic research
and investigations, carried out during the second part of the fifties and sixties
of the past centuries. Archaeological excavations
were carried in the eastern part of the
settlement, whereas, a roman forum, horrea,
urban basilica, features of the roman bath,
details of auxiliary objects and the northern
cemetery, were discovered. The discovered
archaeological material, the overall results,
clearly indicate and illustrate the fact that,
the Municipium DD, primarily existed as a
prehistoric settlement, continued to develop
and change to become a typical ancient roman
town during the period from the last
decades of the 1st century, until the first part
of the 4th century AD. The settlement had
all characteristics of a roman town. The site
stretches in approximately 30 hectares.
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Ibër
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Fig. 141. View of the Municipium DD.
Fig.142. Fibulae discovered in Municipium DD.
(Kosovo Museum).
Fig. 143. Satellite picture of the Municipium DD.
Fig. 144. The site setting of the Municipium DD.
Archaeological Guide of Kosovo 61