History of Speleology in Republic of Macedonia Temovski Marjan
Introduction • Carbonate rocks occupy 10.6% (2,724km2) of the territory, mostly in the western part • Social and historical conditions combined with the extension of carbonate rocks contributed speleological activity to occur much later regarding the other parts of the Balkans
History of speleology in Macedonia • Caves ant pits in Macedonia have been known to the local population from long time ago (using them for shelter, hiding, cattle storage, as water sources,for religious needs etc.) • Scientific interest first occurs in the 1930s when solid knowledge is acquired in some karst areas in Macedonia by Jovan Cvijic and his apprentices.
Macedonian Speleology before II World War History of speleology in Macedonia • It can be divided into two major parts: • Before II World War • After II World War • The beginning of speleological research is associated with the arrival and scientific work in Macedonia by P.S.Jovanovic, S.L. Karaman and V.S.Radovanovic
Macedonian Speleology before II World War • Firstspeleological scientific information is about the cavefauna inMeckina DupkaCave, near Ohrid (Jeannel,1924) • As a beginning of the speleological research in Macedoniais regarded the publishing of the results about “Dona Duka” Cave by Petar S. Jovanovic (1925)
Macedonian Speleology after II World War • First speleological scientific article is published in 1954 (Kostovski) and it is about the caves in Pesti gorge • In 1955 Macedonian Geographic Society founds a Speleological Section • On 6.4.1958 it expands into Speleological Society of Macedonia, (regarded as the beginning of the organized speleological activity in Macedonia)
Macedonian Speleology after II World War • This activity was carried at the Institute of Geography by Trajan Petkovski, Risto Garevski and the most significant figure in Macedonian Speleology, the fatherof speleological research in Macedonia – DusanManakovik.
Macedonian Speleology after II World War • In the 1960s Macedonian mountaineers also became interested in caves and pits • In 1966 Speleological Mountaineering Society “Peoni” was founded in Skopje • Also speleological sections was founded in many mountaineering societies: PD “Zlatovrv” in Prilep, PD “Orle” in Kavadarci, PD “SolunskaGlava” in Veles, PD “Josif Sfestarot” in Strumica
Macedonian Speleology after II World War • In 1968 Speleological Society of Macedoniawas host of the fifth Yugoslavian SpeleologicalKongress, in Skopje and Ohrid. • 1970s, speleological activity trough mountaineers grows stronger, and the MountaineeringAssociation of Macedonia founds the Commission of Speleology
Macedonian Speleology after II World War • Institute of Geography trough the Macedonian Speleological Society continues the scientific work (new scientist were educated: Stanko Stankoski, Tome Andonovski, Dragan Kolcakovski) • In 1980 SD “Peoni” made the first Macedonian speleological expedition to Mount. Jakupica, discovering (still) the deepest pit in Macedonia – Solunska 5 (-450m)
Macedonian Speleology after II World War • After the disintegration of Yugoslavia, the activities of the Speleological Society of Macedonia slowly fade away • Commission of Speleology at the MA remains the only carrier of organized speleological activity, which outgrows into Macedonian Speleological Association, and today Macedonian Speleological Federation
Macedonian Speleology after II World War • Main carrier of speleological research in the last 20 years is SD “Peoni”, and also active are ID “Ursus Spelaeus” and lately PSK “Zlatovrv” • Besides them with speleological activity inside the MSF are also PD “Orle” and DPS “Lisec” • On the scientific side in the last 20 years on speleological research are dedicated Tome Andonovski, Dragan Kolcakovski and lately Ivica Milevski and Biljana Petreska
Conclusion • In more than 80 years of speleological activity in Macedonia, nearly 500 caves and pits have been discovered, and for around 200 of them there are published scientific papers in domestic or foreign publications (mostly speleomorfological works)
Conclusion Most significant caves and pits in Macedonia: • SOLUNSKA 5, pit (450m deep) – the deepest • SLATINSKI IZVOR, cave (4km long) – the longest • KRAPSKI PONOR, sinkhole (by now 1km long and 150m deep) – potentially the longest system in Macedonia • POD VRELO or MATKA VRELO, underwater cave(450m long, 100m deep) • PESHNA, cave – biggest entrance (30m high, 45m wide)
Thank You
SPELEO MACEDONIA
