Beyond the jewellery: archers’ rings in the medieval Balkans (14th-15th Centuries)

Abstract

Throughout the history of jewellery, certain types of rings had a particular function. It is especially true in the case of archers’ rings – by their very form, they clearly point to a specific purpose 2. Yet, that is not all; there are different issues to be considered, especially when it comes to the Balkans in the Late Middle Ages. Although their appearance can be discussed in the context of military history, mainly the history of weapons and methods of warfare, the specific design and archaeological context in which examples are found may also reveal their social meaning. Despite the complexity and the serious potential, archers’ rings have not provoked great research interest, although specimens of rings were continuously published and, as a rule, properly identified (fig. 1). Therefore, the article of Anastassios Antonaras 3 is very important and an inspiration for further study of these rings. Consequently, the aim of this chapter is to study the occurrence of this type of ring in a broader context, including its use and meaning in the Balkans, according to indications provided by archaeological findings. In this regard, the territory of Medieval Serbia is particularly illustrative due to its specific background, both political and cultural.