Abstract
<jats:p>Stećci are stone tombstones dating from the Late Middle Ages. The largest concentration of stećci has been recorded in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while a smaller number of sites are located in Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Since their origin, stećci have been exposed to various destructive influences, both natural and anthropogenic. Among natural factors, the effects of weathering processes are particularly significant. Long-term exposure to sunlight, wind, rain, and snow leads to physical deterioration of the stone material, reduced legibility of inscriptions, and degradation of the aesthetic quality of decorative motifs on stećci. In addition to natural influences, anthropogenic impacts have also played a substantial role. Throughout history, stećci have been destroyed during wars, damaged during agricultural activities, or reused as construction material for various buildings. Due to the continuous endangerment of this exceptional cultural and historical heritage, the need for more effective protection measures has become evident. Stećci were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016. The aim of this paper is to examine the spatial distribution and analyse the influence of natural and anthropogenic environmental factors on stećci necropolises in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The methodological approach is based on the application of geospatial analyses using satellite and cartographic data, supported by GIS technologies, as well as on the analysis of relevant written sources. By applying GIS, the relationships between the locations of major stećci necropolises and natural conditions such as geological substrate, relief, and hydrographic characteristics are presented.</jats:p>