Lojanik: Prehistoric Jasper and Opal Quarry

Lojanik represents a unique paleobotanical site, where fossil remains of silicified, petrified wood have been discovered. It was declared a scientific research reserve in 1963. The site is located on the northern slopes of Stolovi, on the right bank of the Ibar River, near Mataruška Banja. Analysis of the silicified wood identified its origin as petrified conifers of the fir genus (Abies).

Archaeological research conducted between 2016 and 2022, organized by the National Museum Kraljevo and the National Museum of Serbia, confirmed the mining concept of raw material extraction at Lojanik. Excavations revealed surface mining structures in the form of shallow pits and trenches on both sides of the hill. The oldest archaeological material – jasper, opal, breccia, and silicified wood—was dated to the Middle Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), around 228,000 BC. In addition, geological layer 2 contained clear evidence of fire use, dated to around 90,000 BCE. Fire was employed to remove surface rock and release ore, direct proof of the skill and experience of populations likely linked to Neanderthals or archaic Homo sapiens.

The significance of Lojanik as a quarry and mining site over the past 200,000 years cannot be understood without reference to the nearby settlement of Crkvine in Konarevo, only 2 km away. Crkvine is one of the earliest Early Neolithic settlements, formed by the arrival of the first farmers on the left bank of the Ibar, opposite Lojanik. They encountered available raw materials and Paleolithic artifacts, which they initially used. Lojanik’s limnosilicates, opals, silicified wood, and various breccias became the basic materials for toolmaking in Neolithic settlements in the area.

Even in modern times, the rough, dark parts of silicified branches were recognized as grinding material for metal blades. In the late 20th century, “miner” Đorđe Matović and traders (the Vićanović brothers) ran a small-scale production of stone grindstones, competitive with industrial products of the era. Remarkably, Matović’s grindstones remain in use today, still efficient and barely worn after half a century.

The exhibition is authored by Vera Bogosavljević Petrović, PhD, museum advisor at the National Museum of Serbia and head of the research project. The exhibition will be formally opened by Dr Dušan Mihailović, Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade.