RESCUE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION IN MITROVA REKA AND NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE BOUNDARIES OF THE BANJSKA MONASTERY ESTATE IN RAS

MARIJA D. MARIĆ; VOJKAN R. MILUTINOVIĆ; MIRJANA R. SLAVKOVIĆ

doi:10.19090/i.2025.36.24-41

Authors

MARIJA D. MARIĆ University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Philosophy
VOJKAN R. MILUTINOVIĆ Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Kraljevo
MIRJANA R. SLAVKOVIĆ Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Kraljevo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19090/i.2025.36.24-41

Keywords:

Medieval Raška, Svetostefan Charter, church, burial, grave slab

Abstract

During archaeological monitoring of conservation and restoration works carried out in 2022 on the Church of St. Demetrius with its old cemetery in Mitrova Reka, a cultural monument dated to the 16th century, walls from an earlier construction phase and part of a medieval necropolis were uncovered. In order to address structural damage to the walls and foundations on the northern and northeastern sides of the church, rescue archaeological excavations were also conducted in the same year. The current situation suggests that the existing church was built upon the remains of a medieval church. The previous architectural and burial findings in Mitrova Reka provide new insights into the spatial boundaries and territorial extent of the surrounding estates of the Banjska Monastery, recorded in the Svetostefan Charter of King Milutin from the second decade of the 14th century. The confirmation of earlier archaeological layers raises questions about the spatial contextualization of the church within its surrounding landscape, significantly impacting the perception of its cultural and historical value. Furthermore, it complicates the continuation of conservation and restoration works aimed at its preservation and presentation.

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