4,000-year-old Finds Discovered at Marafor in Poreč

4,000-year-old finds, the paving of the Roman forum and a cistern from the Middle Ages were discovered at Marafor.

Representatives of the City of Poreč and the Local Museum of Poreština visited Marafor Square, where archaeological research is underway for the purposes of creating a conservation study of its layout.

Archaeological research has brought to light the original Roman paving of the forum, as well as the previously unknown combination of Decumanus and the ancient square. Then a cistern from the Middle Ages was discovered, which is located in the very middle of the forum, and was mentioned as early as 1419 and was partially explored. A prehistoric layer was also found under the Roman forum. The findings from prehistory are actually small objects, mostly ceramics, which have yet to be analyzed in detail, so more specific answers will be obtained. Prehistoric findings testify to life in Poreč before the Romans, that is, from 4,000 years ago, and this is the earliest phase discovered at Marafor, emphasized the curator of the Poreština Local Museum, Gaetano Benčić.

– This is a historic opportunity to explore the entire forum. In addition to the square, research is also being done in the side streets where the flagstone of the forum is very well preserved, as well as the elements – stairs, water drainage channels. Maybe once in a lifetime it happens to the experts to investigate, archaeologically and architecturally document a forum. It is a historic opportunity for the city, which will return the square to the people, but also for the profession, because research like this is rare, Benčić concluded.

The director of the Museum, Elena Uljančić, said that for the past month, three museum employees and the contractor Kapitel from Žminj have been investigating the oldest square in Poreč.

– Together with the conservators, we will make decisions related to the final presentation of the conservation report, which will serve as a basis for the design. We are proud to be able to contribute to this research. The moment is unique for us, because the City of Poreč has decided to finance the restoration of cultural heritage. It is a very demanding and expensive project, but success will certainly not be lacking, said the director.

The mayor of Poreč, Loris Peršurić, who was at the conference in the company of the city’s head of spatial planning and environmental protection, Damir Hrvatin, and the head of the communal system, Marin Poropat, that is, of the departments that lead this project, thanked everyone who is dedicatedly working on such a large project.

After the completion of the archaeological research, Marafor will be brought back to its original state before the tourist season, and the work will continue during the next winter. The desire is to fully arrange this square and the alleys around it, and the dynamics of the works will depend on the consents and permits obtained, said the mayor.

Related: Ancient Paving Revealed at the Marafor Square in Poreč