Remnants of a ceramic water supply system were uncovered During ongoing reconstruction work in Gorazde Archaeologists believe this was part of a system that supplied water to the mosque complex of Dzafer-beg Sijercic.

Admir Dzemidzic, curator of the Gorazde Heritage Museum, explained that the site previously hosted a mosque and a madrasa with courtyards, as well as a sadrvan (a type of fountain used for ablution).

“There had to be a water supply system in place. During the current works, ceramic pipes, known as čunkovi, were uncovered. These pipes likely brought water from higher elevations near the city to this location. Thus, as early as the 18th century, people here had access to water near Džafer-beg's mosque. The pipes are of remarkably precise craftsmanship, connected with a lime-based mortar that joined the male and female ends. There are likely more of these pipes, but they remain buried under the foundations of modern buildings. This area was previously excavated, likely in the 1950s, when the city’s sewage system was built, making it difficult to trace the original water system’s route,” Dzemidzic explained.

He added that the pipes will be relocated and preserved, serving as excellent exhibits to showcase the water supply system from the late 18th century in Gorazde to visitors of the Heritage Museum. He also noted that similar remnants were recently discovered in the Deseva area.

“It’s fortunate that the contractors promptly reported the discovery during the square’s reconstruction. However, this highlights the need to revise our approach in this field. In modern, well-regulated countries, every construction site or new building project requires investors to conduct minor archaeological research or geophysical surveys to gather basic information. This allows for swift action to protect the site. Larger finds can be preserved in situ, while movable materials can be relocated to museums for analysis. In the future, we should work on legislative measures to require investors and contractors to allocate minimal resources for archaeological research before any construction begins,” Dzemidzic suggested.

The Dzafer-beg Mosque is believed to have been built in the 18th century. The Dzafer-beg Sijercic Madrasa, constructed alongside the mosque, began operating in 1888, though the exact date of its construction remains unknown.