Creation of the Mammoth Park at Viminacium, Serbia

Abstract

The Roman archaeological site of Viminacium, a cultural property of exceptional importance to the Republic of Serbia and a place on the UNESCO Tentative List, is located about 3\xa0km south of the Danube, in arable fields near the “Kostolac B” thermal power plant and the strip coal mine “Drmno”, within the administrative borders of the City of Požarevac. In addition to the large number of cultural properties, there are many natural properties in the area of Požarevac, whose internationally recognised representatives are located right next to the Viminacium Archaeological Park. In the summer of 2009, in the strip coal mine “Drmno”, a mammoth skeleton was found, preserved almost entirely. Although different possibilities for such a skeleton to remain in the mine were considered, it was eventually decided to relocate it to a secure location within the Viminacium Archaeological Park and, in 2014, the construction of a purpose-built area under the name of The Mammoth Park began. Together with the future reclaimed areas of “Drmno” and its valuable geoheritage, the presented archaeological remains of Viminacium, other exceptionally important cultural and historical properties in the vicinity, the river Danube and other significant natural assets, The Mammoth Park can form a unique cultural landscape.