Ruševine kastela – Salthua

Arheološko nalazište u Riječanima podrazumijeva riječansku dolinu, Budetinu gradinu i rimski put. U riječanskoj dolini je bila antička naseobina što je potvrđeno tragovima arhitektonskih ostataka i čestim „isplivavanjem“ pokretnog arheološkog materijala, kao i nadgrobnim spomenicima iz I vijeka nove ere sa natpisima na kojima se pominje imecastellum Salthua. Oko kilometar prema istoku je Budetina gradina koju zaobilazi rimska cesta sa južne strane. Na vrhu Budetine gradine se nalazi ruševina kasnoantičkog utvrđenja sa bedemima zidanim malterom dimenzija oko 6 x 2 x 2 m.

U Gornjim Riječanima, otkriveni su ostaci tri memorijalne grobnice. Ovim istraživanjima utvrđeno je da je dvije memorijalne grobnice podigao Gaj, Epikadov sin kao prvak Dokleata, i Gajevi sinovi: Piasus, Epicadus, Saerdis i Verso, na osnovu epigrafskog natpisa na kom se pominje porodica Epikada. Na drugom natpisu pominje se Agiro, prvak Saltue.

Svakako da se radi o dvojici prvaka ugledne porodice Epikada, od kojih je jedan prvak kastela a drugi član plemenskog vijeća Dokleata. Na osnovu otkrivenih ostataka možemo pretpostaviti da se radi o dijelu antičke nekropole koja pripada I i II vijeku naše ere.

Ispod padine brda Suntulija, otkriveni su arhitektonski ostaci većeg građevinskog objekta. Radi se o temeljima objekta rađenog, u tehnici suhozida, od kamenih ploča bez vezivnog materijala. Na osnovu keramičkog materijala i pronađenih fibula možemo pretpostaviti da se radi o ilirskom objektu koji  se može datovati u period između I vijeka prije nove ere i I vijek nove ere.

U neposrednoj blizini nalaze se ostaci objekata koji su bili u potpunosti uklonjeni. Otkrivene su stare kaldrme oko objekta i mnoštvo pokretnog arheološkog materijala među kojima su značajne fibule, koje pripadaju I vijeku prije nove ere i I vijeku naše ere .

Rimska Saltua je bila neka vrsta raskrsnice, jer su se ispod Budetine gradine spajali putevi od Risna i Narone (Cavtata) ka Anderbi (Nikšiću)… Iz stanice Salta, dakle, potiču Epikadi, a na osnovu nje se pretpostavlja i da se teritorija Duklje nekad prostirala do Banjana. Na privatnom imanju Spasojevića otkriveni su megalitski temelji, a na trećoj lokaciji – Prodo, otkriven je Hadrijanov novac, staklene čaše, koštane i gvozdene alatke.

U Zavičajnom muzeju u Nikšiću se nalazi nadgrobni spomenik Gaiusa Epicada filiusa iz I vijeka n. ere, kao i slučajni nalazi fragmenata keramike, stakla i metalnih predmeta.

           The ruins of the castle Salthua

The area which includes the ruins of the castle Salthua is an active archaeological site where, since 2012, a systematic archaeological survey of architectural remains has been performed, in search of a Roman station Saltua, within the project of the Ministry of Culture "Roads of continuity", implemented by the National Museum of Montenegro.

The archaeological site in Rijecani encompasses Rijecanska valley, Budetina hill and the Roman road. An ancient settlement existed in Rijecanska valley, which is confirmed by the architectural remains and frequent surfacing of the archaeological material, as well as by gravestones from the 1st century AD with inscriptions which mention Castellum Salthua. About one kilometer to the east there is Budetina hill, bypassed by the Roman road to the south. At the top of Budetina hill lie ruins of a fortification from Late Antiquity, with the walls built with mortar, and dimensions about 6 x 2 x 2m.

The remains of three memorial tombs were discovered in Upper Rijecani. Based on epigraphic inscriptions which mention Epicadus family, these researches prove that the two memorial tombs were erected by Gaius, son of Epicadus, the champion of Docleates, and Gaius' sons Piasus, Epicadus, Saerdis and Verso. Another inscription mentions Agiro, the champion of Saltua. They mention two prominent members of Epicadus family, one of whom was the champion of the castle and the other member of the tribal council of Docleates. Based on the discovered remains it can be assumed that they were a part of the ancient necropolis belonging to the 1st and the 2nd century AD.

Architectural remains of a large facility were discovered below the hillside of Suntulija hill. Those are foundations of an object build in the dry-stone technique, with stone slabs without binding material. Based on the ceramic material and found fibulae, we can assume that this is the Illyrian object which can be dated to the period between the 1st BC and the 1st century AD.

The remains of buildings that were completely removed are nearby. Old cobblestones paths were discovered around the buildings, as well as a significant amount of moveable archaeological material, including fibulae, which belong to the 1st BC and the 1st AD.

Roman Salthua was a sort of a crossroad, because routes from Risan and Narona (Cavtat) to Anderba (Niksic) and further on, met under Budetina hill. Therefore, the Epicadus family originates from the station Salthua, and based on that, it is assumed that the territory of Doclea used to spread to present day Banjani. On the private property belonging to Spasojevic family, megalithic foundations were found, and on the third location - Prodo, Hadrian's money, glass drinking cups, bone and iron tools were discovered.

A tombstone of Gaius Epicada Filius from the 1st century AD, as well as random fragments of pottery, glass and metal objects are in the National museum in Niksic.