Danilo, Croatia

The oldest archaeological sites date back to the Neolithic period when the Danilo culture (4500-3900 BC) emerged in the Danilo polje, a fertile oval valley between two karst ridges cultivated for millennia due to its quality soil.^[5] Its scarce water sources were historically crucial for inhabitants:^[5] the clayey impermeable soil allows water to be retained in the lower layers of the earth, and even today, at the foot of the hill, there is a large and inexhaustible pond called Munjača.^[6] From the Danilo culture era, beautifully shaped ceramic vessels (rhyton – a decorated vessel on four legs with a large carrying handle) with geometric decorations have been found.

Metal Age settlers,^[5] Illyrians, controlled the polje from the Gradina fort on the imposing hill above the present-day hamlet of Danilo Gornji.^[6] Romans established the municipium Rider, exploiting local resources.^[5] Their settlement continued the ancient traffic function of the former Illyrian hillfort Rider throughout antiquity.^[6]

During the Great Migrations, Croats settled, continuing agriculture and transhumance.^[5] In the Middle Ages, the Šibenik Commune utilized the polje for cultivating vineyards, olives, and cereals.^[5] The Ottoman period brought instability due to nearby strongholds, but after the early 18th century, peace allowed for resettlement.^[5] Traditional crop production has remained the area's primary characteristic up to the present day.^[5]