Archaeological Guide of Kosovo
Archaeological Guide of Kosovo
Archaeological Guide of Kosovo
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curred at the first century AD. With the Romans settlers, Ulpiana developed<br />
from a small ancient Dardan concentrated Opidum; to a wide spread territorium<br />
with all attributes <strong>of</strong> a typical roman town organisation. In regard to<br />
this matter, it is believed that Ulpiana was established as a roman municipium<br />
in 169 AD (Municipium Ulpianum). Nonetheless, Ulpiana achieved its<br />
heights peak <strong>of</strong> development during the 3rd and 4th century; a period when<br />
it became a very important political, economical, cultural centre <strong>of</strong> a wider<br />
area <strong>of</strong> waste territory <strong>of</strong> the Dardania, but also become the crucial centre<br />
for the expansion <strong>of</strong> the ancient civilization in this region. The roman<br />
town <strong>of</strong> Ulpiana during this period was ascribed as the Municipum Ulpiana<br />
Splendissima – the Splendid Municipium <strong>of</strong> Ulpiana, characterized with<br />
road nets, orthogonal construction system, water supply, drainage, houses,<br />
buildings and various other public, sacral, pr<strong>of</strong>ane and utilitarian buildings.<br />
In addition, the Municipium <strong>of</strong> Ulpiana was a very important trading centre<br />
<strong>of</strong> either metallurgical, artisans or agricultural goods and merchandise<br />
for at least first five centuries <strong>of</strong> the first millennium and especially during<br />
the rule <strong>of</strong> the Byzantine emperor Justinian the Great in the 6th century<br />
AD; time when Ulpiana was rebuilt and renamed to Justiniana Secunda.<br />
Since the second part <strong>of</strong> the past century and onward, the ancient town <strong>of</strong><br />
Ulpiana has been in continuity a study area through the loupe and pickaxe<br />
<strong>of</strong> either local or foreign archaeologists that contributed until present day<br />
with the discovery <strong>of</strong> few cult and sacral monuments, basilica, necropolis,<br />
as well as parts <strong>of</strong> the ramparts with watchtowers, castrum-roman military<br />
garrison and hundreds <strong>of</strong> movable fragments/artefacts, different in form,<br />
material and usege, but as well as human remains, architectural structures<br />
and elements, all testimony <strong>of</strong> the cultural material very important for the<br />
scientific field <strong>of</strong> archaeology.<br />
70 <strong>Archaeological</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Kosovo</strong>