Editing Bosnia and Herzegovina (section)

===Early history===
Bosnia has been inhabited since at least the [[Paleolithic|Paleolithic era]]. Notably, the [[Badanj Cave]] near [[Stolac]] features one of the oldest known cave engravings, depicting an animal figure believed to be a horse, dating back to approximately 13,000 to 12,000 BC.<ref>{{harvnb|Shpuza|2022|p=553}}; {{harvnb|Zindel|Lippert|Lahi|Kiel|2018|p=346}}; {{harvnb|Bejko|Morris|Papadopoulos|Schepartz|2015|p=4}}; {{harvnb|Hammond|Wilkes|2012|p=726}}; {{harvnb|Dausse|2015|p=28}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Palaeolithic site of Badanj |url=https://hwr.ba/culture-and-heritage/palaeolithic-site-of-badanj/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=hwr.ba |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cave art at Badanj |url=https://www.centarzakrs.ba/bh/speleologija/42-cave-art-at-badanj.html |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=www.centarzakrs.ba}}</ref> During the [[Neolithic|Neolithic period]], significant cultures such as the [[Butmir]] and [[Kakanj]] emerged along the [[Bosna (river)|Bosna River]]. The Butmir culture, flourishing around 5100 to 4500 BC, is renowned for its distinctive ceramics and anthropomorphic figurines. Excavations near [[Sarajevo]] have uncovered intricately decorated pottery and realistic human figurines from this culture.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Butmir near Sarajevo |url=https://zemaljskimuzej.ba/en/predmeti/lokaliteti/butmir-near-sarajevo |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Zemaljski muzej Bosne i Hercegovine |language=en}}</ref>

From the 8th century BCE, Illyrian tribes evolved into kingdoms. The most notable Illyrian kingdoms and dynasties were those of [[Bardylis|Bardylis of the Dardani]] and of [[Agron of Illyria|Agron of the Ardiaei]] who created the last and best-known Illyrian kingdom. Agron ruled over the Ardiaei and had extended his rule to other tribes as well.

From the 7th century BCE, bronze was replaced by iron, after which only jewelry and art objects were still made out of bronze.<ref name="geography">{{cite book |last1=Gekić |first1=Haris |last2=Bidžan-Gekić |first2=Aida |last3=Drešković |first3=Nusret |last4=Mirić |first4=Ranko |last5=Reményi |first5=Péter |title=The Geography of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Between East and West |date=2022 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=9783030985233 |pages=138-139 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-BVuEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA138}}</ref> Illyrian tribes, under the influence of [[Hallstatt culture]]s to the north, formed regional centers that were slightly different. Parts of Central Bosnia were inhabited by the [[Daesitiates]] tribe.<ref name="geography" /> The Iron Age [[Glasinac-Mati culture]] is associated with the [[Autariatae]] tribe.<ref name="geography" />

A very important role in their life was the cult of the dead, which is seen in their careful burials and burial ceremonies, as well as the richness of their burial sites.<ref name="geography" /> In northern parts, there was a long tradition of cremation and burial in shallow graves, while in the south the dead were buried in large stone or earth [[Tumulus|tumuli]] (natively called ''gromile'') that in Herzegovina were reaching monumental sizes, more than 50 m wide and 5 m high.{{cn|date=May 2025}} ''Japodian tribes'' had an affinity to decoration (heavy, oversized necklaces out of yellow, blue or white glass paste, and large bronze [[Fibula (brooch)|fibulas]], as well as spiral bracelets, diadems and helmets out of bronze foil).{{cn|date=May 2025}}

In the 4th century BCE, the first invasion of [[Celts]] is recorded. They brought the technique of the [[Potter's wheel|pottery wheel]], new types of fibulas and different bronze and iron belts. They only passed on their way to Greece, so their influence in Bosnia and Herzegovina is negligible. Celtic migrations displaced many [[List of ancient tribes in Illyria|Illyrian tribes]] from their former lands, but some Celtic and Illyrian tribes mixed. Concrete historical evidence for this period is scarce, but overall it appears the region was populated by a number of different peoples speaking distinct languages.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

[[File:Mogorjelo Villa Rustica.jpg|thumb|[[Mogorjelo]], an ancient Roman suburban Villa Rustica from the 4th century, near [[Čapljina]]]]

In the [[Neretva Delta]] in the south, there were important [[Hellenistic period|Hellenistic]] influences of the Illyrian [[Daorson|Daors]] tribe.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tomašević |first1=Nebojša |title=Treasures of Yugoslavia: An Encyclopedic Touring Guide |date=1983 |publisher=Yugoslaviapublic |pages=306-307}}</ref> Their capital was ''Daorson'' in Ošanići near [[Stolac]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Aličić |first1=Ahmed S. |title=Herzegovina |date=1981 |publisher=NIRO "Privredni vjesnik" |page=194}}</ref> Daorson, in the 4th century BCE, was surrounded by [[megalith]]ic, 5 m high stonewalls (as large as those of [[Mycenae]] in Greece), composed of large trapezoid stone blocks. Daors made unique bronze coins and sculptures.

Conflict between the Illyrians and [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] started in 229&nbsp;BCE, but Rome did not complete its annexation of the region until AD&nbsp;9. It was precisely in modern-day Bosnia and Herzegovina that Rome fought one of the most difficult battles in its history since the [[Punic Wars]], as described by the Roman historian [[Suetonius]].<ref>[[Suetonius]], Tiberius 16,17</ref> This was the Roman campaign against [[Illyricum (Roman province)|Illyricum]], known as {{Lang|la|[[Bellum Batonianum]]}}.<ref>Miller, Norma. Tacitus: Annals I, 2002, {{ISBN|1-85399-358-1}}. It had originally been joined to Illyricum, but after the great Illyrian/Pannonian revolt of AD 6 it was made a separate province with its own governor</ref> The conflict arose after an attempt to recruit Illyrians, and a revolt spanned for four years (6–9 AD), after which they were subdued.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stipčević |first1=Aleksandar |title=The Illyrians: History and Culture |date=1977 |publisher=Noyes Press |isbn=9780815550525}}</ref>{{pn|date=May 2025}} In the Roman period, Latin-speaking settlers from the entire [[Roman Empire]] settled among the Illyrians, and Roman soldiers were encouraged to retire in the region.{{sfn|Malcolm|2002|p=3}}

Following the split of the Empire between 337 and 395 AD, Dalmatia and Pannonia became parts of the [[Western Roman Empire]]. The region was conquered by the [[Ostrogoths]] in 455 AD. It subsequently changed hands between the [[Alans]] and the [[Huns]]. By the 6th century, Emperor [[Justinian I]] had reconquered the area for the [[Byzantine Empire]]. Slavs overwhelmed the Balkans in the 6th and 7th centuries. Illyrian cultural traits were adopted by the South Slavs, as evidenced in certain customs and traditions, and placenames.<ref>{{cite book|author=Ardian, Adzanela (Axhanela)|url=https://www.academia.edu/2490281|title=Illyrian Bosnia and Herzegovina-an overview of a cultural legacy|date=2004|publisher=Centre for Balkan Studies, Online Balkan Centre|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-date=19 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819001829/https://www.academia.edu/2490281|url-status=live}}</ref>