@conference{
author = "Antonović, Dragana and Vukadinović, Momir and Dimić, Vidan",
year = "2015",
abstract = "The Eneolithic copper mine at Prljuša, just below the mountain peak Mali Šturac on Mt. Rudnik was discovered in 1980 and subsequently investigated to a smaller extent from 1981 to 1987. In 2010 the investigations at Prljuša were reactivated with the aim of defining how much and how long the mine had been exploited during prehistory. Pilot geophysical studies were followed by more extensive explorations in 2011 and 2012 (selfpotential, electrical scanning and seismic profiling). The explorations covered a surface of 14 400 m2. These investigations identified underground channels in the middle part of the site connected with the earlier discovered entrance platforms named Shaft 4 and Shaft 6. The investigation with self-potential method detected numerous ore occurrences and potential prehistoric mining works in the lower part of the site. Survey of the locality led to the discovery of 15 more mining shafts spread in the upper part of the site.
After having obtained satisfactory results by geophysical investigations and field survey, archaeological excavation was undertook in the zone of the Shaft 4 and the Shaft 6 in the middle part of the site, and in front of one mining shaft at the very top of the slope where is situated the site Prljuša. Excavation revealed open cast mine in zone of the Shaft 4 and 6 with several shallow vertical channels. A lot of grooved mining hammerstones were found in layers of debris that covered this mining zone. Investigation of the shaft at the top of the slope resulted with the discovery of broad mining channel covered with collapsed ceiling. In this shaft were discovered a certain number of mining hammerstones and pottery of Eneolithic Bubanj-Hum Ia culture.
Detailed surveying of the site resulted in discovery of around 1000 mining stone tools just on the surface. Except the hammerstones, which are the most numerous, few stone tools of different type have been found at the site Prljuša. One fragmented whetstone as well as few axes and anvils for crashing ore make an interesting segment of stone tool assemblage from Mali Šturac. Considerable amount of semi-finished objects without traces of use as well as tools made of rock originated from this locality confirmed that stone tools were often made on the mining site.
According to the great number of mining tools on the very surface of the site it is supposed that their number may be much bigger (at least 2000 in the layers of debris) what indicates the extensive mining activity at this site. Finding of Early Eneolithic pottery put this site in the group of the earliest copper mines in central Balkans whose exploitation could start even earlier, during the Vinča culture.",
publisher = "Targu Jiu : Alexandru Stefulescu Museum of Gorj County.",
journal = "4th Balkan Early Metallurgy Symposium, 10th-12th May 2015, Targu Jiu",
title = "Prljuša – Mali Šturac, Eneolithic copper mine in Central Balkans",
pages = "14-13",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_rai_810"
}
