NEW EVIDENCE OF OLDEST, ONLY MILITARY AMPHITHEATRE IN CROATIA FOUND

IVO[EVCI/KISTANJE, Feb 14 (Hina) - Archaeologists on Friday discovered new evidence of the oldest and only military amphitheatre in Croatia near Ivosevci, a village 30 km north of the central Adriatic city if Sibenik, where remains of the military fort and settlement of Burnum have been discovered.#L# Archaeologists found an inscription of Emperor Vespasian from AD 77 or 78 located near the south entrance to the amphitheatre, whose well preserved remains were discovered late last year. The manager of the Drnis Town Museum, Josko Zaninovic, who is in charge of the research in cooperation with the University of Zadar Archaeology Department, said yesterday this was a sensational find proving that this amphitheatre was older than those in Pula and Solin. "This was definitely a military camp, as indicated by all the things found so far, coins, ceramics, parts of military equipment," said Zaninovic. The amphitheatre, which soldiers used for entertainment as well as training, is 130 x 177 metres wide and eight metres deep, it had two main and two secondary entrances, and could seat about 8,000 people. The depth of the arena is 36 metres in diameter. Archaeologists say these are finds of outstanding importance for Croatia, especially since it was believed that all amphitheatres in Europe had been discovered. Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic and Parliament Vice President Luka Bebic visited the site on Saturday. Sanader endorsed the proposal to turn the area into the first archaeological park in Croatia as well as to build a Burnum collection. The park would cover all cultural and historical monuments alongside the Krka river. It has been agreed that work on the site should continue, with funds to be provided by the Krka National Park, within which the amphitheatre has been found, and the Ministry of Culture, which has already set aside 400,000 kuna (52,000 euros) for the project. (Hina) ha sb