The Central Balkans in the the Early Middle Ages: Archaeological Testimonies to Change

Abstract

The early Middle Ages, viewed as the period from the early 7th to the late 10th century, is the least studied span of the medieval past of our lands. This applies especially to the 7th to 8th century, as historical and archaeological data from that time are exceptionally scant and their interpretations conflicting; hence they are mostly missing even from the rare more recent insights into the beginning of the Middle Ages that include the Balkans.This paper will propose models that may have been the basis for the processes of decline of Byzantine society and shaping of the new one that succeeded it, while examining possible overlaps. We shall adhere to known historical frameworks, the knowledge of settlements and cemeteries, and assessments of the few archaeological finds, primarily metal and ceramic ones, which best reflect not only the similarities but also the sharp differences between exemplars of craft and style found in this area. Most often these are accidental or insufficiently documented finds, a fact that at the very outset restricts any attempt at synthesis.