The oldest traces of life on the territory of Montenegro are from the early Stone Age, which is proven by the caves Crvena Stijena and Odma, both rich sources of archaeological research.

Paintings of the prehistoric man have been found in Lipci, near Risan, in one part of a rock which remained after a rockfall in the cave. It shows two hunters on horses in dynamic movement, throwing a spear on five stags and one doe.

Of the many prehistoric monuments in Montenegro, the most important is the archaeological site Crvena stijena ("Red rock") near the village of Petrovići, 30km away from Nikšić.

In the cave of Odma, 3 km from Plužine, traces of a man were found who lived between 8300 and 1800 BC.

The Roman villa ''Villa Urbana'' was found during the laying of the foundation stone for the old hotel „Avala“ (in 1938). It is one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the old town of Budva from the times of antiquity.

The town on the river Zeta, in the middle of the Bjelopavlić plain, is the uncrowned capital of Montenegro. Its building began in 1869 after the plans of prince Danilo. But the past of this region is much deeper.