Archaeologists excavating a 2,300-year-old Illyrian settlement in Montenegro have uncovered Iron Age pottery and possible building remains that could help determine whether the hilltop once served as an ancient sanctuary.
The discoveries come from Vidov Vrh, near Herceg Novi, where a new excavation campaign began in October 2026. Led by archaeologist Radmila Ćapin, the research aims to uncover the settlement’s original purpose and investigate evidence of possible religious activities. Earlier excavations revealed unusual pottery that led researchers to suggest that part of the settlement may have been used for religious ceremonies. However, no temple has been confirmed at the site.
Ancient Illyrian settlement overlooks Adriatic coast
Vidov Vrh rises about 781 meters (2,562 feet) above sea level, overlooking the Sutorina Plain and routes leading toward the Adriatic Sea. Archaeologists classify the site as a “gradina,” a type of prehistoric hilltop settlement common in the Balkans. Such settlements often provided shelter, supported local communities, and helped inhabitants monitor surrounding territory.
Researchers believe Vidov Vrh was occupied between the fourth and first centuries B.C. Its archaeological remains show similarities to the Glasinac culture of the western Balkans, a region once inhabited by Illyrian communities that interacted with ancient Greeks and Romans.
Unusual pottery suggests possible ancient sanctuary
The sanctuary theory emerged after excavations near Lazarica Church in 2009. In a 2015 study published in the journal Nova antička Duklja, archaeologists Radmila Ćapin and Đorđe Ćapin examined fragments of kantharoi, two-handled drinking vessels decorated with unusual raised knobs. They compared the pottery with similar vessels discovered at other ancient religious sites. The similarities suggested that part of Vidov Vrh may have been used for religious gatherings.
Could a 2,300-year-old Illyrian settlement be hiding an ancient sanctuary?
Archaeologists in Montenegro have uncovered unusual pottery and ancient structural remains at Vidov Vrh, raising new questions about forgotten religious rituals. pic.twitter.com/WjdpqkVDv8
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) November 4, 2026
Similar questions about ancient Illyrian worship have emerged elsewhere in the Balkans. In northern Albania, archaeologists uncovered a Hellenistic-era structure that may have served as an Illyrian temple. Researchers have also identified ceremonial drinking vessels at a Hellenistic sanctuary in North Macedonia, showing how pottery can help archaeologists investigate ancient religious practices.
The researchers at Vidov Vrh also explored whether the hill’s name preserved a connection to an ancient deity. They compared it with Roman-era inscriptions from Croatia mentioning Vidasus and Thana, local gods associated with the Roman deities Silvanus and Diana. However, no inscriptions confirming such a connection have been discovered at Vidov Vrh.
Medieval church reveals older Illyrian structures
The 2009 excavations also uncovered evidence that later communities reused parts of the ancient settlement. Archaeologists found that the northern and southern walls of Lazarica Church rested directly on older Illyrian walls. Other discoveries included Hellenistic pottery, a gold earring and a ninth-century bronze belt fragment. These findings show that people used the hilltop during different historical periods, although continuous occupation or worship has not been established.
Similar evidence of changing settlement functions has emerged at ancient Aigeira in Greece, where researchers documented the site’s development from a Mycenaean settlement into a religious sanctuary and fortified acropolis.
New excavations seek answers about ancient settlement
The latest research team includes archaeologist Đorđe Ćapin and conservator-restorer Goran Skrobanović. Researchers are using LiDAR scanning and geodetic surveys to map the settlement and examine its surviving structures. The project is supported by Montenegro’s Ministry of Culture and Media and the Municipality of Herceg Novi.
Recent excavations have uncovered numerous Late Iron Age pottery fragments and possible architectural remains. Researchers hope these discoveries will help establish how different areas of the settlement were used and whether the unusual pottery found in 2009 belonged to an ancient sanctuary.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
