Contribution to the Study of Astragal Belt Segments from the Territory of Central and Southeastern Europe

Abstract

In this paper the authors present new and unpublished finds of astragal belts segments, as well as those examples published in less available literature. Based on the classifications by previous researchers, and minor contributions by the authors, a total of five types of segments have been defined - Glasinac, Shtojit, Banostor, Syrmian and Dunaszekcso. The Syrmian type was further divided into three variations: Osijek, Belgrade, and Macva. The first astragal belt segments are considered to be examples of the Glasinac type that marked the period from the beginning of the 6th cent. BC until the middle of the 5th cent. BC. The Shtojit type, which is geographically very limited, developed in the territory of present day Albania. In the middle of late 6th cent. BC, the Banostor type occurs, and further chronological development lead to the Syrmian type and its variants Osijek, Macva, and Belgrade. During the period between the middle of 6th and the middle of 3rd cent. BC, these types of belt segments encompassed a large territory in the Danube and Sava river regions, and to a lesser extent the Morava river region. At the beginning of the 3rd cent. BC, the Dunaszekcso type also occurs, encompassing a vast territory of the Danube, Sava, Tisza, Mures, and Morava river regions.(2)