An extraordinary archaeological find was presented in October at the Palazzo Economo in Trieste, Italy. A 4,000-year-old leaf-shaped copper dagger measuring just under 10 centimeters was unearthed in Tina Jama Cave, located near the town of Trieste. The discovery was made by archaeologists from Ca' Foscari University in Venice, led by Professor Federico Bernardini, during excavations at the site.
The rare copper dagger was found alongside abundant ceramic remains, flint arrowheads, polished stone axes, and shell ornaments, indicating that the cave has been frequented for millennia. Excavations revealed stratified layers belonging to both the Bronze Age and the late Copper Age, along with stone artifacts and ceramic remnants from the second half of the third millennium BCE.
Elena Leghissa of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences stated that the discovery raises questions about the cave's use, as such valuable artifacts are typically found in burial contexts. Nearby fragments of human skulls further suggest a possible funerary function for the cave.
A stone structure dating between 2000 and 1500 BCE was excavated near the cave's entrance. While its purpose remains unclear, scientists believe it may relate to burial customs, as pieces of human skulls have been associated with it. This structure likely served to protect the cave's interior from the region's strong bora winds.
Bernardini noted that the dagger resembles those uncovered in Slovenia, suggesting connections between ancient cultures. The excavation project involves multiple institutions, including the Slovenian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Archaeology, aiming to clarify aspects of the recent prehistory of the northeastern Adriatic regions.
The team uncovered a wealth of materials, including flint arrowheads, long blades fashioned from flint, polished stone axes, obsidian, and shell ornaments. They also revealed a hearth or fireplace that appears to predate the stone structure at the cave's entrance.
As excavations continue, Tina Jama Cave is expected to yield further discoveries, though its ultimate purpose remains somewhat mysterious. Leghissa emphasized that upcoming excavations will help illuminate the relationships between cultural groups in the northeastern Adriatic during this period, noting the significance of finds from the second half of the third millennium BCE for understanding European technological, cultural, and social transformations.