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Object Was in an Ancient Tomb and May Have Belonged to a Figure of Prestige in Society at the Time
A small copper dagger, approximately 4,000 years old, was found in a cave in Italy and drew the attention of European archaeologists.
The piece, about 10 cm long, was located in the Tina Jama Cave, in an area that holds remnants from the Copper and Bronze Ages.
Rare Object Without Parallels in Italy
The discovery was made by Professor Federico Bernardini from the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
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According to him, the object has no exact equivalents in Italy, although there are comparisons with finds from the Ljubljana region in Slovenia.
The dagger has a leaf shape with a spike and may indicate cultural practices connected with other European regions.
Remnants of the Copper and Bronze Ages
The excavations in the cave revealed layers dated from the second half of the third millennium B.C., encompassing the final periods of the Copper Age and the beginning of the Bronze Age.
Archaeologist Elena Leghissa from the Institute of Archaeology of Slovenia emphasized the importance of the finds for understanding the social and cultural transformations of ancient Europe.
Mysterious Structure Intrigues Researchers
At the entrance of the cave, archaeologists also identified a structure made of slabs and stone blocks, dated between 2000 and 1500 B.C.
Although its purpose is still unclear, the presence of human skull fragments nearby raises hypotheses about its funerary use. Another suggested possibility is that the structure was built for protection against the bora winds.
In addition to the dagger, arrowheads made of flint, pressure-flaked blades, polished stone axes, obsidian, pottery, and shell ornaments were found.
These materials indicate that the site was frequented by different groups over thousands of years. Some evidence points to contacts with the Cetina culture from the Dalmatia region.
For the archaeologists involved, the Tina Jama Cave appears promising for future investigations. The diversity of the objects found reinforces the significance of the site for understanding ancient cultural practices and regional connections in the third millennium B.C.
