Novensia: Studia i Materiały (21.2010)

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was necessary, sińce through a standard procedurę of rectification of vertical aerial pho-
tographs we were unable to meet the minimum reąuirements for precise mapping on an
aerial photographic background.
Interpretation results
Below are the results of an aerial interpretation of the Bay of Risan. The shape of every
perceived anomalous structure was sketched closely. The sketching of the detected struć -
tures and anomalies was executed in GIS, on the basis of orthophoto mosaics and satellite
images.
The area under investigation can be said to belong to the karst zonę. Here, the steep
karst formation meets the flysch zonę in the neighbouring hinterland of Risan, as well as
the narrow alluvial belt along the coast. Based on the geological structure, we may con-
clude that the soil make-up was not sufficient for the development of morę organized agri-
cultural activity. Perhaps the very fact that the agricultural potential of this area was
extremely limited encouraged the inhabitants of Risan to preserve it and enhance it, as nu-
merous terraced structures which follow the terrain’s plasticity testify. However, a terrain
organized in this manner, based on a relatively rapid shift of smaller spatial seąuences,
does not allow in an interpretive sense for a physical manifestation of archaeological struc-
tures which are potentially located at lower levels.
Since in this case the primary options for aerial interpretation are exhausted, the focus
of the research can be shifted to the field of interpretation of the historical landscape, i.e.,
determining the relative chronology of existing spatial organization and recognizing ar-
chaeological elements, which are still part of the living landscape. However, it has already
been stated that for this kind of approach to interpretation an analysis of the archives would
be required, which was impossible. Nonetheless, based on a comparative analysis of aerial
photographs, generał conclusions can be drawn on the mechanisms of spatial development
and organization of the living space.
The acropolis and its relation to the “Lower Town”
A valuable and convincing description of Roman Risinium was given by A. R. Evans.18
This description was helpful in the interpretation of structures which have largely been
destroyed by unplanned urbanization.
In the description of today’s Gradina of Risan, which Evans calls the city’s acropolis,
we encounter a mention of the remains of the so-called terraces, which are easily noticeable
on the slopes of Gradina.19 These cascading structures can be seen on aerial photographs
of the Southern slope of Gradina firom 1961. The terraces start at the source of the Spiła,
where they meet the recently uncovered megalithic section of a rampart at the south-eastern
end of the Carine site, and extend in the direction of the Poljićki creek to the Southwest.

18 Evans 1883.
19 In his description of Gradina, A. R. Evans writes
the following: “The remains of old Street terraces

are distinctly traceable on the flanks of the peak that
dominates the right bank of the torrent”.