Since ancient times Koločep has been an island of self-reliant people: seafarers, coral divers, shipbuilders, fishermen, and lime makers. Numerous traces of early colonisation of the island have been found. Generally in the Elaphite archipelago a lot of traces have been found proving that people inhabited these enchanting islands from the Iron Age onwards. Ancient Greeks and Romans, who followed suit much later, have certainly left ample traces on these islands which seem to be situated halfway be-tween the two great ancient civilisations.

Evidence of Roman administration there has been discovered. It is believed that at that time the islands attracted visitors. The Elaphites are said to have been a safe haven for the notorious Neretva pirates, but they began to gain their later-day reputation as a place of rest and recreation for the aristocracy and gentry of Dubrovnik. The Elaphites are their name, "Insulae Elaphite", or the Deer Archipelago, to an old legend according to which they provided pastures for the cattle of Helios, the Greek sun god. It sounds quite credible, because the islands are known for their great number of sunny days. Hence their alternative name: "The Sunny Islands".