Powerful Ruler of Eastern Hallstatt Culture Buried in Jalžabet

An expansive prehistoric hillfort, identified as Gradina Slanje – Stari Gradec, has been uncovered in northern Croatia, spanning approximately 12.5 hectares. Experts suggest it could be the largest such site in the country, characterized by a system of ditches and massive earthen ramparts that reach up to 14 meters in height in some areas. This monumental structure is comparable in size to the Knin Fortress.

Located on the northern slopes of Kalnik, between Vinogradi Ludbreški and Slanje in Varaždin County, the hillfort is part of a significant archaeological landscape. This area also includes important sites in Jalžabet and Martijanec, forming a rare concentration of monumental early Iron Age settlements in this region of Europe. These sites are believed to belong to the Eastern Hallstatt culture, dating back to the 6th century BC.

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When we first came here, even fellow archaeologists couldn't believe this was a site of this scale. Gradina in Slanje covers approximately 12.5 hectares and is surrounded by massive earthen ramparts reaching up to 14 meters in height in some places. For comparison, its area is almost equal to the area of Knin Fortress, while Grebengrad, one of the largest medieval fortresses in northwestern Croatia, occupies only about half a hectare. These figures alone speak volumes about the monumentality of this site.

Dr. Saša Kovačević, leading the research across Slanje, Martijanec, and Jalžabet, emphasized the scale of Gradina Slanje, noting its surface area is nearly equivalent to that of Knin Fortress. He also highlighted the presence of a necropolis with tumuli from the early Iron Age near Slanje, which remains a considerable archaeological enigma. The combined research efforts aim not only to excavate but also to protect and preserve these invaluable sites for future public presentation.

Further investigation at the Jalžabet site, located 15 kilometers southeast of Varaždin, has revealed a burial monument of the Eastern Hallstatt culture. This tumulus, measuring 65 meters wide and eight meters high, has yielded significant artifacts. These include decorated arrows made of bone or horn, remnants of scale armor of the eastern type, amber jewelry, and ceramic and bronze vessels. These findings provide evidence of the influence, power, and wealth of the ruling elite during the mid-6th century BC.

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Our work doesn't 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 is preserved long-term and brought closer to people.