Roman Villa with Olive Grove Unearthed Near Split, Croatia

Archaeologists have discovered a 1st-century AD Roman villa and agricultural complex spanning over 600 square meters near a Bauhaus shopping center in Mostine, Croatia. Led by Eduard Visković of Kantharos consulting firm, the excavation revealed six large rooms, olive processing equipment, channels leading to collection vats, an oil cistern, and ceramic fragments. A 45-meter road extends north, suggesting the estate supplied olive oil to Salona, capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. Residential quarters included mosaic tiles, glass fragments, kitchen ceramics, and coins dating from the 2nd to 6th centuries AD. The site, first excavated in 2011 with a paleo-Christian church, faces flooding challenges. Excavations will continue for weeks before the area is covered with geotextiles and gravel for preservation.