GRAVE-MOUNDS (tumuli) in the region of Čuh

A wide range of small and large grave-mounds can be found in the broader region of Čuh field. On the hill Gominjak, southwest of the Čuh field, are two large mounds and between them in the middle of the hill, is another mound of an oblong shape. Since ancient times shepherds had a lookout on one of the mounds, protecting them from the northern wind from where they watched and kept track of their flock of sheep.

ILLYRIAN GRAVE IN ČUH

In 1957 an Illyrian grave was discovered in the north-western part of the field Čuh. It consisted of four vertically positioned plates with lids. The grave was oriented towards NW - SE direction. A skeleton in a shrivelled position, lying on the right side with its head pointing to the north was found. Two spiral bracelets, a decorative pin and fragment clay pots were found next to it. Based on the items found in the grave, it was established that it originated from the 2nd to 5th phase of the Liburnian Iron Age culture or from the 8th to the 5th century.

LIMEKILNS AND QUARRIES

On the eastern part of Dugi otok traces of stone piles, so-called limekilns can be found where fire was used to obtain lime. Many of these piles can be found in particular in the wider region of Čuh, in the bay Čušćica on the south-west coast, in the bay south-west of Little Proversa etc... Many probably vanished due to cultivation of land. There are numerous traces of limekiln east of the bay Jaz and in the bay Tripuljak.

The existence of limekiln indicates that in these areas at that time were a lot of woods used as fuel and wood for fires to obtain quick lime. Many of these limekiln came to existence as a need for quick lime in the construction of the Romanesque villa Mala Proversa, and then for the purposes of construction over a long period in the wider part of north-western Telašćica, but also in and around Sali.

Old quarries can be found in the area of the park. This is the south-eastern side of the island of Veli Garmenjak, the bay Kobiljak next to Ribarska straža and Punta Turčina.

VILLA RUSTICA

The ruins of a Romanesque building can be found in the passage Mala Proversa. In 1951 on the Cape side of the island Dugi otok, the foundations of a large building were excavated. The sea strait Mala Proversa was not navigable in the Roman period as at that time it still was a narrow isthmus to 1 m above the sea level. The Romans built a complex of buildings there and it was probably over 90 m long. It was of large dimensions with the comforts of what until then had only residences in larger cities (e.g., bathroom with hot and cold water).

The villa was built in the best period of Romanesque architecture in Dalmatia in the 1st century. It is assumed that the Romans at that time, when the Dugi otok, Katina and Kornat still were just one island, dug a channel (through the villa) which resulted in a stronger circulation of the sea in both directions and attracted fish. Smaller vessels were able to pass through the channel. It is believed that in the vicinity of the channel was a Vivarium (enclosure in the sea for keeping live fish). At the end of the eighties of the 20th century the passage Mala Proversa was widened and deepened so that today it is 34 m wide, 4.80 m deep and over 100 m long.