May the 4th, 2026 – Another fascinating Roman find has halted works being carried out in Kožino in the wider Zadar area. Croatia is famed for its countless Roman-era discoveries, and it’s looking likely that this one is significant.
As Morski/Frane Kršlović writes, extensive works being carried out on the “Agglomeration of Kožino-Petrčane” project have been halted after an incredible Roman find came to light in the area near Zadar. Those present accidentally uncovered ancient walls and Roman bricks dating from the 1st century. Archaeologists have been contacted and have stated that the Roman find is of exceptional value.
Field photographs of the excavation site that uncovered the Roman finds show the remains of regularly constructed ancient stone structures in the excavation profile along the coastline itself. Numerous fragments of ancient amphorae, various ceramic vessels and construction materials are scattered in and around the trench.
The key find is a fragment of a Roman tegument (a form of outer covering) with a partially preserved stamp of the “PANSIANA” workshop. This is a truly remarkable find as the aforementioned stamp came from an imperial brickyard from the vicinity of Aquileia, which produced bricks for the entire northern Adriatic area back during the 1st century.
The discovery of the “PANSIANA” stamp directly and very clearly dates the site and confirms the existence of a significant Roman structure – a villa rustica or a high-status economic complex. The Conservation Department in Zadar has been duly notified of this amazing discovery and will head out to the field, examine the site and order a protective archaeological investigation.
