φ21°33', λ41°21'

The past, the present and the future are three segments of human existence which trace their way through the space and time. They are all closely connected and each of them, with its individual value, defines their courses of development.

Relics in a form of mobile and immobile archaeological material are the basis from which the culture of life of the people in certain areas can be determined.

Following the archaeological traces in Prilep and its surrounding, continuous forms of life from the prehistoric period until today can be observed, with the oldest traces dating back to the neolith. Remnants of the antic period, supported by the knowledge acquired from written sources, confirm the existence of greater number of settlements which in various conditions and temporal distances enabled life and communication between the North and South and the South and West. This is particularly evident in the period of Roman rule, when the important regional route passed through this area, connecting two main roads of the Balkans: Via Militaris (Singidunum - Constantinopolis) and Via Egnatia (Durachium - Amphipolis). The ancient towns Alcomena near the village of Buchin , Brianion in v. Graiste, Kolobaisa in the close vicinity of Treskavec monastery, Ceramia near Prilep, Stibera near v. Cepigovo, etc., confirmed the existence of organized social life in the northern part of Pelagonia, near the river Crna and its influents. Investigations of the remains of the ancient town Stibera, important cultural and economic center from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD, just proved the relevance of the region in that period. These remains are also very helpful for following the migration processes connected with military campaigns of the Roman Empire. Remains of military camp (castrum) at the locality Gradiste near v. Debreste, which protected the Barbaras passage and prevented the invasion of enemy raids from the north, are the most imoprtant material proof of the importance of this fortress in the Late Roman Period. Excavations in this locality also revealed remains of cultural strata from the prehistoric, Hellenic, Roman and Medieval period.

Having no intention to minimize the importance of previously mentioned or unmentioned archaeological points, it can be stated that the main landmark of Prilep is King Marko’s Castle, by which it is recognizable wider in the Balkans. This segment of material culture provides testimony to the existence of larger settlement with fortified acropolis, which played significant role in the development of Macedonian Medieval State. Prilep was one of the towns which served as a shelter to Tsar Samoil through the difficult and crucial days after the battle with Byzantium in 1014. The fortress and its walls suffered many changes over the time, taking their present shape by the end of 13th and beginning of the 14th century. In the slopes of King Marko’s Towers and at their foot, there are traces of settlements, especially from the Medieval Ages; there, among granite rocks, stands a carved throne - the most remarkable monument of the Early Medieval history of Slavic population, the social and political center of the settlment.

The valuable archaeological heritage from the past is our base for the present and visa for the future. Unfortunately, modern world is losing its sense for permanent preservation and protection of its sources of material culture. Obsessed by the competition for profit and for possession of material goods, it is irreversibly losing important elements of its history, destroying the efforts of the authorized institutions responsible for protection, preservation and presentation of cultural values from this region. Such an attitude leads to permanent loss of material artefacts that are necessary for scientific interpretation of history; it undermines the foundations of our presence, and the visa for our future will remain just an unrealized dream.

Liljana Kepeska, archaeologist,
curator counsellor, Institute and Museum - Prilep