Land of stećci: multiculturality in the medieval Herzegovina

Stećci are medieval tombstones dispersed throughout the landscapes Western Balkans, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They characterize a specific funerary phenomenon and represent a unique interdigitation of traditions, religions, artistic and aesthetic expressions, as well as languages. Their morphology varies immensely, from pseudo-sarcophagi to crosses, slabs and chests (see Figure). The sheer number and dispersed distribution of the tombstones have hampered detailed scholarship of the stećci heritage. Although studied extensively by historians, these monuments remain vastly understudied by archaeologists.
Within this project we will study stećci by integrating perspectives and methods from various disciplines, this generally archaeological project incorporates detailed landscape and spatial studies, epigraphy and heritage studies, but also art history, iconography, anthropology, history, linguistics, and digital technologies. Description of some of the research done on site can be found on European Association of Archaeologists website.

Forms of stećci tombstones (adapted after Bešlagić 1971, 1982 and Wenzel 1965)