Powerful Ruler of East Hallstatt Culture Buried in Jalžabet, Croatia

In northern Croatia, beneath the northern slopes of Kalnik mountain, lies a prehistoric fortified settlement of immense scale. Gradina Slanje – Stari Gradec, covering about 12.5 hectares, is encircled by imposing earth ramparts that reach up to 14 meters in height, making it potentially the largest prehistoric hill fort of its type in Croatia.

This monumental site is not an isolated discovery. It forms part of a rare archaeological landscape in this part of Europe, alongside significant findings in Jalžabet and Martijanec. Experts describe the concentration of monumental sites in this region as exceptional.

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When we first came here, even fellow archaeologists couldn't believe it was a site of this magnitude. The Gradina in Slanje covers approximately 12.5 hectares and is surrounded by massive earthen ramparts that reach up to 14 meters in height in some places.

Research at Jalžabet, located 15 kilometers southeast of Varaždin, has uncovered a crucial burial mound from the early Iron Age. Dating back to the 6th century BC, this tumulus, 65 meters wide and eight meters high, provides evidence of the influence, power, and wealth of the ruling elite of the East Hallstatt culture. Artifacts found include decorated bone or horn arrowheads, remnants of scale armor, amber jewelry, and ceramic and bronze vessels. Ongoing restoration and analysis aim to shed further light on the events and lives of those who inhabited Jalžabet over 2500 years ago.

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Our job does not end with archaeological research. From the very beginning, we think about the protection of the site, its preservation, and future presentation to the public, so that its value can be preserved and brought closer to people in the long term.