Ancient Times of this region we analyze from three aspects: Neolithic period, Illyrian period and Antique period.

NEOLITHIC PERIOD

The mountain ravine in which Sarajevo is located slopes down and spreads from the east to the west, running into the Sarajevo plain with its lowest elevation at Ilidža.

This is the place where, near the thermal springs and source of the river Bosna, the Neolithic settlement of Butmir was established in the second part of third millennium B.C.

This settlement existed for several hundred years and was notable for the fact that its inhabitants created the first civilization of craftsmen in this region. They were very skilled in the use of adaptation of hard stone for making tools, and they also made high quality and artistic designed pottery and dishes.

Pottery decoration was mostly spiral, but other geometrical shapes were present as well. These things were exchanged for agricultural goods. They lived in dugout caves or sod huts with roofs made of thatched or interwoven branches.

This settlement suddenly disappeared, apparently destroyed by aggressive invaders from north. Dr. Alojz Benac as an ultimate authority on Neolithic period in Bosnia, excavated several of these sites, and published numerous works on Neolithic "Butmir" culture.

ILLYRIAN PERIOD

There are many places in present-day Sarajevo that were settled during the Bronze Age. One such place is known as "Debelo Brdo" in the area of the old town. Further to the west there is "Soukubnar" as well as "Zlatište". On the east side, there is „Fortica“ at „Ravne Bakije“, „Obhodja“, „Gradac“ and „Kokorevac“.

All of these locations belong to the so-called „halstadt“ period, when the Illyrian population who inhabited these settlements built fortesses of wood with stone and earthen attackers.

According to the excavations and findings, inhabitants of these settlements, specially Debelo Brdo, knew much about the ceramics, which they produced for their own needs, as well as for trade. Aside of ceramics they were good at agriculture, livestock, and metal refinement, so it was possible to do some minor/basic mine diggings.

Residents of this period were Illyrian (even some historians say they were Panonians) who came from the east areas and are admitted as relevant owners of the “halstadt” culture. Also there are some indications that before Illyrians on these areas lived Thracians. Тhis period lasted from the end of the Neolithic period through the sixth century A.D. In the fourth century B.C. there was an immigration of Gauls and Kelts who created a mixture of people who where conquered by the Romans.

ANTIQUE PERIOD

After two centuries of Roman resistance, 9 A.D. Illyrians have been conquered, and Sarajevo valley become part of Roman empire.

The Romans directed military expeditions at this area, known as Illyria, from the middle of the second century B.C. Gaius Julius Caesar conqured the area which was settled by Illyrian clans Japodi, Dalmati, Panonnians and others in the year 63 B.C.

The only information we have about Illyrian population comes from Ancient Greeks and Romans, who often came into conflict with Illyrian pirates on the Adriatic Sea. After what was known „Boton’s rebelion“ (6 – 9 A.D.) the Romans completely subdued the Illyrian population and this area become a part of Roman province of Dalmatia.

The Illyrian fortresses were destroyed, but Romans built very important roads from the Dalmatian coasts to the Pannonian Plain (around the Danube River) which passed through the Sarajevo Plain. The importance of the road can be seen by the numerous Roman artifacts found in the heart of Sarajevo itself over the years.

On the left bank of the Miljacka there were once found Roman bricks and an inscription indicating a construction yard and, nearby, a bathhouse. It was then that the Romans first built their settlements in this area.

The most important Roman settlement was at the sulfur apas of Ilidža. It held rank higher than a minicipium, possibly as high as the Roman cities of Salona, Narona or Epidaurum. The biggest known settlement was known as ‘’Aquae S...’’ (Probably Aquae Sulphurae), as told, on top of present day Ilidža. The Ottomans have given it name Ilidža (Iladž, tur. cure, medicine), having in mind its spa (medical) role.

Roman ruins have been founded at Marijin Dvor, near Vrbanja Bridge, near the Ali-Pasha's mosque and in other settlements on the hills. The Roman pagan religion was very early under the influence of the Greek polytheism, but the Romans allowed the conquered people to maintain their own culture, provided that they paid their respects to the three greatest Roman Gods – Jupiter, Juno and Minerva.

Likewise, the Illyrian pagan religion made it possible, thanks to the Illyrian veteran soldiers of the legions, to introduce from the Orient the popular cult of God Mithra This cult has spread from Persia and India to all of Europe.

The cult of Mithra was respected even in the Roman capital city itself, even after Christianity become recognized as the official religion of the Roman empire. In Bosnia and Herzegovina the cult of the god Mithra was maintained and served as a basis for accepting the religions which came from east, including Manichean and, ultimately, Islam.

The Sarajevo valley gained no heritage from the Ostrogoths who, with their king Theodoric (456 – 526 A.D.) conquered and occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina.