Seventh-Century Fibulae with Bent Stem in the Balkans Archaeologia Bulgarica XVII, 1 (2013), 49-70 Popović 1984, 218 with note 101 is the only scholar to have called for a special study dedicated to the later fibulae with bent stem. 2 The chronology of the so-called Koman(i) culture is poorly studied, although Etleva Nallbani’s dissertation (Nallbani 2002) promises to correct that problem. I have included in the Appendix all fibulae on which sufficient information has been published to allow a rough dating after 600. 3 The archaeology of early medieval settlements is notoriously under-developed in Albania and the surrounding regions. See Curta 2013. 1 Florin CURTA Despite being recognized as a hallmark of the so-called Koman(i) culture, later fibulae with bent stem from the western region of the Balkans have never received adequate attention (Spahiu 1986, 90: “le bijou le plus répandu” of the Komani culture)1. To date, there is no special study of this category of dress accessories, despite the fact that scholars commonly treat them as the last stage in the evolution of the late antique fibulae with bent stem (Popović 1984, 217; Riemer 2010, 330). In Albania, for a long time, the fibulae with bent stem have been regarded as the foremost element linking the Koman(i) culture to the Iron-Age civilization of the Illyrians, the main focus of Albanian nationalism during the Communist period (Anamali 1966, 203; Anamali 1969, 550-551; for the Koman(i) culture and Albanian nationalism, see Bowden / Hodges 2004; Veseli 2006). Yugoslav archaeologists insisted on the typological relation of the later fibulae with bent stem to specimens from military sites in the Balkans dated to the reign of Justinian (527-565) and his successors (Rajterić-Sivec 1974, 558; Јанковић 1980, 179; Popović 1984, 217). Few have noticed that the fibulae found on seventh-century sites in Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Greece are both larger (longer) and with bows much wider than both their Iron-Age and their sixth-century supposed archetypes (However, see Vinski 1971, 388). For example, the largest specimen known so far was found in Biograci (Bosnia) and is 11.5 cm long, but most sixthcentury fibulae are half that size (Čremošnik 1987-1988, pl. IV/6). By contrast, several seventh-century fibulae reach up to 15 cm in length. Syna Uenze believed that at the origin of the seventh-century fibulae from the western Balkans were sixth-century specimens with bow wider than the stem, but almost all specimens she could mention as examples were found in the northern parts of the Balkans, away from the sites of the Koman(i) culture (Uenze 1992, 149). How could fibulae popular in the sixth century in the Danube valley become the predominant fashion in the highlands of Albania during the seventh century? When did the latter begin to be deposited in burial assemblages, and how could this practice be explained in terms of continuity from Late Antiquity to the early Middle Ages? Why did a typically sixth-century female dress accessory continue to be used after 600 only in the western Balkans? In this paper, I intend to answer some of those questions through a systematic study of 140 fibulae with bent stem known so far from assemblages that could, with some degree of certainty be dated after the year 6002. All those assemblages are from cemetery sites, as no fibulae have so far been found on any other kind of site3. In many cases, there is no description and no seemly illustration to allow for 50 FLORIN CURTA analysis. Nonetheless, a statistically satisfactory number of specimens (90 fibulae, or over 64 percent of all of those listed in the Appendix at the end of this paper) have been published with sufficient detail and with accompanying drawings or photographs. Of those, the vast majority (66 fibulae) are from sites in Albania, four of which produced more than 10 specimens. The largest number of specimens published with sufficient descriptive details and with illustrations is that of fibulae with bows between three and four times wider than their stems (fig. 1-7)4. The bow is typically marked with a longitudinal rib in the middle, and has a prominent bow knob of prismatic shape (fig. 1/5, 2/1, 3/1, 6/2). The sites with the largest number of such specimens are Sv. Erazmo (Macedonia; Маленко 1976, 224, fig. 3/1 and 233, fig. 14/5, 10; Маленко 1985, pls. V/3 – the same fibula as that in Маленко 1976, 224, fig. 3/4, and VI/1 – the same fibula as that in Маленко 1976, 224, fig. 3/1) and Koman (Traeger 1900, 46, fig. 1; Degrand 1901, 261; Ippen 1907, 18, fig. 28/1-3; Spahiu 1971, pl. III/5-7; Spahiu 1979-1980, pl. IV/12). One specimen from Sv. Erazmo and two from Koman have stems decorated with X motifs (fig. 1/5, 6/2, 7/2), an ornamental detail which appears also on the fibula from Vrrin (fig. 1/2). By contrast, the stem of the fibula from Prilep (fig. 3/1) is decorated with a V-shaped ornament. Both the X motif and the V-shaped ornament appear on sixth-century fibula, such as those from Gornji Streoc and an unknown location5. Like the three fibulae from Shurdhah (fig. 2/3, 4, 3/2), most specimens have no decoration whatsoever. The only exception is the fibula from grave 3 in Prosek, on the bow of which the longitudinal rib is decorated with a zigzag ornament (fig. 2/1). This may well have been an attempt to imitate the bow decoration of such sixth-century fibulae as those from Venchan or Izvoarele. Two of the specimens from Koman (fig. 6/5, 4) and another two from Prosek are of iron (fig. 5/1, 2), which seems to confirm the idea that iron fibulae were imitations of those, more elegant, made of copper alloy (Spahiu 1964, 82)6. The width difference between bow and stem is less pronounced on the fibulae from Radolishte and Derjan (fig. 1/3, 3/4), which are in that respect closer to the Sv. Erazmo (Маленко 1985, pl. VI/2, the same fibulae as that in Маленко 1976, 224, fig. 3/2), Koman, and Kruje fibulae, the bows of which are only twice as wide as their stems (fig. 8/2, 3, 12/1). The stem of the Koman fibula is also decorated with the X motif. By contrast, the stems of three fibulae known from Aphiona are trapeze-shaped (fig. 8/4-6), much like those of such sixth-century fibulae as those from Budinarci, Markovi Kuli, and Pece. Two of them have rings attached to the stem, a feature which is also reminiscent of sixth-century fibulae with bent stem (see the rings attached to the stem of a cast fibula with bent stem from Golemanovo kale, for which see Curta / Gândilă 2011, 61 and 68 fig. 10). The bows of 19 fibulae is decorated with circle-and-dot or with engraved linear-ornament (fig. 9-11). Those bows are considerably larger than the stems, as in the case of one of the fibulae from Koman (fig. 9/3). The circle-and-dot ornament is sometimes enhanced by zigzagging lines on either side of the longitudinal rib (fig. 1/5, 2/1-3), an ornamental pattern which was frequently employed in the sixth century for the bow decoration of fibulae with bent stem. The circle-and-dot may also have been taken from the ornamental repertoire of the sixth This feature is exaggerated on the fibulae from Prilep and Klos, the bows of which are five or six times wider than their stems (fig. 4/1, 6/1). 5 Новик / Шевченко 1997, 54 believe that the X-motif was lifted from the ornamental repertoire of the fourth- to fifth-century fibulae with bent stem. 6 One of the two specimens known from Krujë (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, pl. VII, second row on the left; Anamali / Spahiu 1979-1980, pl. I/1) is also of iron. 4 SEVENTH-CENTURY FIBULAE WITH BENT STEM IN THE BALKANS 51 Fig. 1. Later fibulae with bent stem: 1 Kruje; 2 Vrrin; 3 Radolishte; 4 Sv. Erazmo; 5-8 Koman (5 grave 1; 6 grave 14). After Anamali / Spahiu 1963, pl. VII; Myrto 1984, pl. II/1; Маленко 1985, pl. XVIII/5; Маленко 1976, 234 fig. 14/5; Traeger 1900, 46, fig. 1; Spahiu 1979-1980, pl. IV/12; Ippen 1907, 18, fig. 28/1, 2 7 This is at variance with Nallbani’s other studies, in which she claims that fibulae with bent stem were “objets unisexes” (Nallbani 2003, 110). 8 Bukël, grave 14: Anamali 1971, 215; Koman, grave 2: Traeger 1900, 45-46; Koman, graves 8 and 14: Spahiu 19791980, 29. Krujë, graves 20, 22, and 23: Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 14 and 16. Prosek, graves 1, 2, 3, and 13: Doda 1989, 146, 147, and 149. Shurdhah, grave 3: Komata 1979-1980, 108. century. The largest number of fibulae with circle-and-dot ornament is from Koman. Four out of six specimens from that site have a stem decorated with the X motif (fig. 9/1, 6, 11/2). The stem of the fibula from grave 3 in Mijele has instead two crosses (fig. 10/2), while the fibulae from grave 21 in Prosek (fig. 9/5), grave 3 in Shurdhah (fig. 9/7), and graves 4 and 6 in Mijele (fig. 10/1, 3) are decorated with engraved linear ornaments on the stem. All those fibulae are very large, sometimes over 15 cm long. A number of fibulae are made of iron, without any ornament (fig. 12/2-6, 13/1, 2, 4-6). The wide bow and the prominent bow knob suggest that those were imitations of much more elegant specimens made of copper alloy. The largest number of such imitations is known from four graves in Bukël (fig. 12/4, 13/2-5), but iron fibulae are also known from Krujë, Koman, and Lezhë. According to Etleva Nallbani, later fibulae with bent stem were worn by both men and women (Nallbani 2004a, 37; Buchet et al. 2004, 486)7. However, judging from the published data, the largest number of fibulae comes from assemblages associated with double and multiple burials, for which there is either no anthropological sexing of the skeletal material or no possibility to sort out the grave goods associated with a female skeleton (if present at all)8. In nine cases, the skeleton on which the fibula with bow stem was found is said to be 52 FLORIN CURTA Fig. 2. Later fibulae with bent stem: 1 Prosek, grave 3; 2 Kruje; 3-4 Shurdhah (3 grave 11). After Doda 1989, 166, pl. III/1; Anamali / Spahiu 1979-1980, pl. I/1; Komata 1989, 118, pl. IV/11; Spahiu 1976, pl. 1/1 that of a female9. Only three cases are known in which the skeleton is supposedly of a male10. Every one of those identifications is based not on proper anthropological sexing, but on the associated grave goods11. Moreover, a considerable number of fibulae with bent stem have been found in graves which contained graves goods, but no skeletal remains whatsoever. Such assemblages have been interpreted as cenotaphs (Nallbani 2004a, 34; Nallbani 2004b, 487). In Koman, one such assemblage produced artifacts, which are commonly found with both female (disc brooches) and male burials (arrow heads) (Spahiu 1979-1980, 29). This suggests that whatever the meaning of those assemblages, the constitutive artifacts must be interpreted in symbolic terms. This may also be the case of fibulae with bent stem found in presumably male burials. They were, in other words, not objects that the deceased used to wear during his lifetime, but artifacts symbolically deposited in the grave, perhaps in reference to important females in his life or among the survivors (mother, wife, sister, or daughter)12. The vast majority of the later fibulae with bent stem were found singly, but there are also cases with two or three specimens, a situation which reminds one of sixth-century fashions13. That seventh-century fibulae were truly employed as fasteners results from the traces of textile fabric found on the specimen from grave 5 in Koman (Spahiu 1979-1980, 36). Although that fibula could have just as well fastened the burial shroud, judging by the position in which the fibula from grave 14 in 9 Aphiona, grave 14: Bulle 1934, 227; Krujë, graves 2, 4, 6, 8, 13, 17, 19, and 21: Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 13-15. The exact position on the skeleton – in the middle of the chest – has been recorded only for the Aphiona fibula. 10 Koman: Ippen 1907, 17-20. Krujë, graves 6 and 12: Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 13-14. Both graves in Krujë are double burials, believed to contain two male skeletons each. 11 The only cemetery for which an anthropological analysis of the skeletal remains has been carried out and published is Prosek (Dhima 1989). 12 Similarly, the deposition of battle axes in female graves has been interpreted as symbolic (Nallbani 2004a, 37). 13 Bukël, graves 12 and 20 (2 specimens): Anamali 1971, 214-215. Koman, graves 1 (2 specimens), 2 (2 specimens), and a grave found after 1900 (2 specimens) (Traeger 1900, 45-46; Ippen 1907, 17-20). Krujë, graves 12 (2 specimens), 13 (3 specimens), and a grave found in 1931 (3 specimens) (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 6, 13-14). Next to nothing is known about the position of those fibulae in relation to the skeleton. SEVENTH-CENTURY FIBULAE WITH BENT STEM IN THE BALKANS Fig. 3. Later fibulae with bent stem: 1 Prilep; 2 Shurdhah; 3 Koman; 4 Derjan. After Mikulčić 2002, 357, fig. 257/2; Komata 1979-1980, 118, pl. IV/10; Ippen 1907, 18, fig. 28/3; Kurti 1971, pl. III/1 Fig. 4. Later fibulae with bent stem: 1 Prilep; 2 Prosek, grave 14. After Mikulčić 2002, 357, fig. 257/1; Doda 1989, 171, pl. VIII/1 53 54 FLORIN CURTA Fig. 5. Later fibulae with bent stem: 1-4 Prosek (1 grave 2; 2 grave 12; 3 grave 17; 4 grave 20). After Doda 1989, 165, pl. II/1, 169, pl. VI/8, 9, 173, pl. X/1 Aphiona was found it may have served as dress accessory. To be sure, a 14 to 15 cm-long fibula – slightly shorter than the average length of a woman’s hand (17.2 cm) – would have been both cumbersome when worn on the shoulder or under the chin, and relatively heavy. However, it is unlikely that such long fibulae were manufactured only for burial purposes. In fact, they appear in burial assemblages together with other dress or personal accessories. Unfortunately, the exact position on the body in which those items have been found is not mentioned in Albanian publications, although their nature and number is carefully recorded. Judging from the existing data, assemblages in which fibulae with bent stem appear together with earrings also contain finger-rings, but normally neither buckles nor bracelets (fig. 15). In two out of seven cases in which a disc-shaped brooch is present, the fibulae with bent stem appear in pairs, and probably fastened the dress at the shoulders14. That in about a third of all cases considered in figure 15, fibulae were accompanied by buckles suggests that they were often employed more for ornamental, than for practical purposes. The large number of cases in which fibulae were found together with glass beads and earrings points to the upper part of the body, specifically the head, as having been the focus of the ornamenting attention. The 14 Klos (Kurti 1971, 269-270) and grave 13 in Krujë (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 14). SEVENTH-CENTURY FIBULAE WITH BENT STEM IN THE BALKANS 55 Fig. 6. Later fibulae with bent stem: 1 Klos; 2-6 Koman. After Kurti 1971, pl. I/7; Spahiu 1971, pl. III/3, 5-7 15 Krujë, graves 4, 6, and 7 (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 13; 26, pl. VI/4, 9, 10). Another handled jug with painted ornament was found in grave 2 (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 23, pl. V/6). A two-handled jug with painted ornament is known from grave 6 (Anamali / Spahiu 19791980, 53 and 51, fig. 3). Fifteen other jugs with painted ornament are known from Krujë (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 23, pl. V/3-4, 9-11, 26, pl. VI/1, 3, 5-8, 11-12, 27, fig. 9, 28, fig. 10). lack of any information about the age at death makes it impossible to decide whether or not this was a practice restricted to women of marriageable age. Several burial assemblages with fibulae with bent stem may be used to narrow down their chronology. A general date within the seventh century is supported by the association, in a few cases, with handled jugs with painted ornament15. Such jugs appear occasionally on other sites in Macedonia (Viničani; Ћоровић-Љубинковић 1986, 135; Петровић 1992, pl. XVI/24) and Bulgaria (Tukhovishte; Stoianova-Serafimova 1979, 793), but also in southern Italy. In fact, one- or two-handled, painted jugs are the most common painted ware form on seventh- and eighth-century cemetery sites in Apulia and Campania (Arthur / Patterson 1994, 427; 1998, 528). In the eastern Mediterranean, such painted jugs are equally dated to the seventh century (Πούλου-Παπαδημητρίου 2001, 239-240). One of the earliest assemblages with fibulae with bent stem is that from grave 6 in Krujë. The belt found on the waist of the female skeleton consisted of a strip-inlaid, kidney-shaped buckle (SchulzeDörrlamm’s class A 6) as well as 12 belt mounts and a strap end with embossed decoration. All those elements cannot be dated later than the sixth century, but their association with a two-handled jug with 56 FLORIN CURTA Fig. 7. Later fibulae with bent stem: 1 Kruje; 2-7 Sv. Erazmo. After Anamali / Spahiu 1963, pl. VII; Маленко 1976, 224, fig. 3; Маленко 1985, pl. V/1-5 painted ornament points to a date after 600 for the entire assemblage (Nallbani 2003, 108-114; Schulze-Dörrlamm 2002, 14-16). Penannular brooches, such as that found together with a fibula with bent stem in grave 14 of the Koman cemetery appear in sixth-century burial assemblages in the Balkans, particularly in graves of young women or of children (Miletić 1978). All specimens known from Hungary are dated to the Early Avar period (ca. 570 to 630; Kiss 1996, 198). Similarly, in Italy, such fibulae appear in pairs in late sixth- or early seventh-century female graves (Hessen 1983, 16-17). A number of fibulae with bent stem were found together with disc-shaped brooches16. The brooch from grave 22 in Kruje (with two pheasants facing a kantharos) is a member of Éva Garam’s group with sunken middle panel and figurative ornament, specimens of which appear in Hungary together with artifacts typical for the Early Avar period (Garam 1993, 118, 122)17. The fibula in grave 20 in Kruje may also belong to this group. The belt buckle with strap director and opposing animals, which was found in grave 34 of the Bukël cemetery, is dated to the first half of the seventh century, which is most likely also the date of the associated fibulae with bent stem18. The examination of two assemblages which pro- Klos (Kurti 1971, pl. I). Koman, graves 5 and 15 (Spahiu 1979-1980, 29, 36). Krujë, graves 4b, 13, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25 (Komata 1982, pl. II/3; Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 14, 16, 40, pl. IX/3-5). Lezhë, grave 7 (Prendi 1979-1980, 166, pl. XX/10). 17 However, there is no known analogy in Hungary for the simple fibula found in grave 7 in Lezhë. 18 Another such buckle is known from grave 35 (Anamali 1971, 217, pl. 7/2, 3). For the dating of the buckles with opposing animals, see Curta 2011, 427-428. 16 SEVENTH-CENTURY FIBULAE WITH BENT STEM IN THE BALKANS 57 Fig. 8. Late fibulae with bent stem: 1 Prosek, grave 13; 2 Sv. Erazmo; 3 Koman; 4-6 Aphiona (6 grave 14). After Doda 1989, 170 pl. VII/1; Malenko 1976, 224, fig. 3; Spahiu 1976, pl. III/4; Bulle 1934, 227, fig. 28, 228, fig. 29, 229, fig. 30 19 Krujë, grave 8 (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 13); Shurdhah, grave 3 (Komata 1979-1980, 120, pl. VI/6, 7). 20 Kurti 1971, 269-270, pl. I. Another lance head with open-work ornament on the blade is known from Koman (Nopcsa 1912, 198, fig. 85). For Late Avar analogies from Transylvania, see Horedt 1958, 77, fig. 14/3, 82, fig. 17/3. 21 Bukël, graves 12, 23, 24, 26, and 33 (Anamali 1971, 214-218, pl. XIV/1, 2, 4-7). Koman, grave 1 (Traeger 1900, 45, 46, fig. 3). 22 E.g., grave 53 in Bernolákovo (Slovakia), in which the pendant was associated with a strap end of Zábojník’s class 91, a belt buckle of his class 119, and a cast belt mount with the image of a griffin which may be attributed to his class 205 (Kraskovská 1962, 436-437, pl. XII/2, 14, 15, 17; Zábojník 1991, 236 and 239). The former and the latter are both dated to the Late Avar II period (720-750/60), for the calibrated dates of which see Stadler 2008, 59, table 1. duced both fibulae with bent stem and earrings with croissant-shaped pendant also suggests a date within the first half of the seventh century19. One such earring is known from grave 7 in Mijele, where it was associated with a penannular brooch, with a good analogy in grave 76 in Campochiaro (Italy), where it was dated with a silver coin struck for Emperor Heraclius (Velimirović-Žigić 1971, 152 with fig.; Riemer 2000, 122). Another earring with croissant-shaped pendant has been found in grave 22 in Lezhë together with a cross-shaped fibula of Riemer’s type “a,” which has good analogies in grave 113 in Nocera Umbra and grave 34 in Peltinara, both dated to the first third of the seventh century (Prendi 1979-1980, 165, pl. XIX/1, 3, 166, pl. XX/4; Riemer 2000, 118). At a quick glimpse, the latest of all assemblages appears to be the grave discovered in Klos. The lance head with open-work ornament on the blade, which was found in that assemblage, has analogies in Transylvania dated after 70020. On the basis of Late Avar analogies, one may also date to the late seventh or early eighth century the circular pendants with bird heads, which were found together with fibulae with bent stem21. In Hungary and Slovakia, such pendants appear in assemblages dated after 70022. However, in grave 34 of the Koman cemetery a circular pendant with bird heads was found together with 58 FLORIN CURTA Fig. 9. Later fibulae with bent stem: 1-3, 6 Koman (6 grave 45); 4, 8 Bukël (4 grave 50; 8 grave 12); 5 Prosek, grave 21; 7 Shurdhah, grave 3. After Korkuti 1971, pl. 130; Anamali 1988, 457, fig. 373; Spahiu 1971, pl. III/1; Anamali 1971, pl. VI/1, 2; Doda 1989, 173, pl. X/3; Komata 1979-1980, 118, pl. IV/9 a fibula with bent stem and a belt buckle of the Balgota class. In Italy, such buckles have been dated to the first decades of the seventh century, while in Hungary they also appear in the second half of the seventh century (Riemer 2000, 159; Garam 2001, 99). The latter dating is confirmed by the assemblage in grave 29 in Durrës, which, in addition to a buckle of the Balgota class, has also produced a coin struck for Emperor Constans II in 654/5 (Tartari 1984, 230-231). The assemblage also included a belt buckle of the Corinth class, a specimen of which was found in grave 11 of the Lezhë cemetery together with another circular pendant with bird heads (Prendi 1979-1980, 168, pl. XXII/2, 6). Moreover, in grave 7 of that same cemetery, a pendant with bird heads was found together with an iron fibula with bent stem and a belt buckle of the Boly-Želovce class, members of which are bronze imitations of luxury (i.e., gold) specimens, such as found in the Kratigos hoard (Ibler 1992, 140; Varsik 1992, 89; Προκοπίου 1997, 339). The hoard also includes 32 solidi, 28 of which have been struck in Constantinople for Emperor Heraclius, the latest between 616 and 625 (Baldini Lippolis 1999, 37, 229; Morrison et al. 2006, 386-387). A strongly corroded specimen was found on the Yassı Ada shipwreck, which sank in or shortly after 626 (Womer Katzev 1982, 277). In Hungary and Slovakia, such buckles appear mostly in assemblages dated to the Middle Avar SEVENTH-CENTURY FIBULAE WITH BENT STEM IN THE BALKANS 59 Fig. 10. Late fibulae with bent stem: 1-3 Mijele (1 grave 4; 2 grave 3; 3 grave 6). After Milinković 2005, 313, fig. 4/4-6 Bukël, graves 8, 12, 39, and 49 (Anamali 1971, 214-215, 217-218). Koman, graves 1 and 4 (Traeger 1900, 46, fig. 1; Spahiu 1979-1980, pl. V/4, 5). Krujë, grave 6 (Nallbani 2003, 119, fig. 3d). Lezhë, grave 4 (Prendi 1979-1980, 126-127). 23 period (ca. 630 to 680; Garam 2001, 101). Of the same date must also be the belt mounts with suspension rings, which have been found together with fibulae with bent stem on several sites23. Similar mounts are known from several key assemblages of the Middle Avar period (ca. 630 to ca. 680), such as Igar and Ivancsa (Fülöp 1988, 152-153; 158 fig. 5/5; Bóna 1970, 243-244, 247, 252, fig. 5/6, 8/9). Best known, however, are those from the hoard of Byzantine gold- and silverware from Vrap (Albania), which is dated to ca. 700 (Werner 1986, 18, pl. 13/29, 30; see also Stadler 1996). The double-ring pendant, which has been found together with a fibula with bent stem in grave 50 of the Bukël cemetery may also be dated to the second half of the seventh century. One such pendant is known from an unpublished burial assemblage from Koman, which has also produced a belt buckle of the Corinth class (Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, inv. 1927/467). Two buckles, one of the Boly-Želovce, the other of the Corinth class have been found together with 3 fibulae with bent stem (two of copper alloy, the other of iron) in a grave discovered in 1931 in Krujë (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 6, fig. 1). The silver earrings with blue glass bead pendants found in grave 14 at Aphiona also point to a date within the second half of the seventh century. Similar earrings have been found together with melon 60 FLORIN CURTA Fig. 11. Later fibulae with bent stem: 1 Mijele, grave 8; 2 Koman; 3, 4 Kruje. After Milinković 2005, 313, fig. 4/9; Spahiu 1971, pl. III/2; Anamali / Spahiu 1963, pl. VII seed-shaped beads in a burial of the Middle and Late Avar cemetery in Čoka (northern Serbia), and with a silver coin struck for Emperor Constantine IV in a burial chamber of the Crimean cemetery in Eski Kermen (Kovrig / Korek 1960, 262, pl. 102/12, 15; Айбабин 1982, 186-187, 185, fig. 10/7)24. A date within the second half of the seventh century may also be advanced for the melon-seed shaped beads found in graves 1 and 12 of the Prosek cemetery together with fibulae with bent stem (Doda 1989, 164, pl. I/4, 169, pl. VI/10)25. Finally, a number of fibulae with bent stem have been found together with earrings with star-shaped pendant26. Those found in graves 39 in Bukël and 12 in Prosek are specimens of Zlata Čilinská’s class IIA, which may be dated to the second half of the seventh century on the basis of the specimen from the Zemiansky Vrbovok hoard (Anamali 1971, pl. IX/5; Doda 1989, 169, pl. VI/1, 2; Komata 1979-1980, 120, pl. VI/6, 7; for the earring in the Zemiansky Vrbovok hoard, see Svoboda 1953, 37, fig. 4/9, 21, 85, fig. 23; for the classification of earrings with star-shaped pendant, see Čilinská 1975). The latest coin in that hoard is a hexagram struck of Emperor Constantine IV at some point between 669 and 674 (Morrison et al. 2006, 430). A quick glimpse at the tabulated results of this analysis shows that most assemblages including fibulae with bent stem coincided in the 24 Nineteen melon-seed shaped beads of Vida’s class P11 have also been found in grave 14 in Aphiona, and are dated to the second half of the seventh century (Bulle 1934, 222, fig. 26/6; Vida / Völling 2000, 85, 89). 25 Grave 1 was a multiple burial, with two or three skeletons, and it is not at all clear with which one of them was associated a semicircular pendant with three suspension rings. The association in Ston of such a pendant with a belt buckle of the Pergamon class points to a date within the seventh century for this category of dress accessories, which is otherwise frequently found on sites of the so-called “Koman(i) culture” (Ковачевић 1960, 65, fig. 43; Milošević 2009). 26 Bukel, graves 4, 26, 31, 38, 39, 50 (Anamali 1971, 213, 216-217). Krujë, graves 2, 19, 20, 22 (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 14-15). Mijele, grave 4 (Milinković 2005, 312). Prosek, graves 3 and 12 (Doda 1989, 147, 14). Shurdhah, grave 3 (Komata 1979-1980, 108). SEVENTH-CENTURY FIBULAE WITH BENT STEM IN THE BALKANS 61 Fig. 12. Later fibulae with bent stem: 1, 4, 5 Bukël (1 grave 6; 4 grave 38; 5 grave 26); 2-3 Kruje. Anamali 1971, pl. V/2-4; Anamali / Spahiu 1963, pl. VII 27 Bulle 1934, 217; Anamali 1971, 217. time during the second third of the seventh century – ca. 630 to ca. 660 (fig. 16; a similar dating in Новик / Шевченко 1997, 55). That seems to have been the peak of popularity for those fibulae. Despite claims to the contrary, there are no fibulae which may be securely dated after 700, much less to the ninth century (Nallbani 2003, 110). It is also important to note that out of fifteen assemblages shown in figure 16, eight contain iron, not copper-alloy fibulae. Moreover, one of the earliest assemblages – that of grave 6 in Krujë – has an iron fibula. If iron fibulae were imitations of copper alloy specimens, then the imitation process took place at the same time as copper-alloy fibulae were in fashion. This is further confirmed by iron and copper-alloy fibulae being found together within one and the same assemblage, as in two graves from Krujë (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 6, 14). The tabulated results of the analysis of dated assemblages show that it is practically impossible to pinpoint the precise moment at which the seventh-century fibulae with bent stem came into being. There is apparently no “evolution” from shorter to longer specimens, as later fibulae (e.g., that from grave 14 in Aphiona, which is 9.2 cm long) are shorter than some of the earlier ones (e.g., that from grave 34 in Bukël, which is 10.5 cm long) but longer than others (e.g., that from grave 50 in Bukël, which is 8.5 cm long)27.The shortest fibula was found in Koman and is only 62 FLORIN CURTA Fig. 13. Later fibulae with bent stem: 1-2 Bukël (1 grave 20; 2 grave 49), 3-4 Kruje (4 grave 4b); 5-6 Koman, grave 2. After Anamali 1971, pl. V/1, VI/3; Anamali / Spahiu 1963, pl. VII; Komata 1982, pl. II/4; Traeger 1900, 47, fig. 4-5 5.3 cm long – within the same size range as most sixth-century fibulae (Anamali 1988, 151). Morphologically, the later fibulae are closer to sixth-century specimens with bow wider than the stem. Decorated fibulae seem to imitate fibulae with bows wider than the stem, and with zigzag ornament. No sixth-century fibula with bow wider than the stem is known from the present-day territory of Albania. Moreover, among several specimens found within the same area of Macedonia which also produced seventh-century fibulae with bent stem, only two are known to have bows wider than the stems (Longa and Gorno Čalje)28. Two fibulae found farther to the north in southern Serbia (Pazarište) and Bosnia (Biograci) have bows wider than the stem. Judging from the existing evidence, therefore, there seems to be no red thread connecting the sixth-century fibulae with bent stem from the central Balkan region to the seventhcentury fibulae. Instead, the latter represent a local development on a much broader basis – that of a variety of classes distributed in both the central and the northern regions of the Balkans. That later fibulae were found only within a limited area of the western Balkans (fig. 17) is an indication that it was only there that such fibulae were still in use29. Taking into consideration the chronology advanced above for this later group of fibulae, the conclusion can only be that they came into being after the general withdrawal of the Roman army and administration Most other sixth-century fibulae with bent stem found in Macedonia and Kosovo are specimens with trapezeshaped stems. 29 Despite claims to the contrary (Горюнов / Казанский 1978, 26), there is no morphological or decorative similarity between the fibulae from Albania, Montenegro, and the island of Corfu, on one hand, and those from Left and Right Bank Ukraine, on the other hand. For the fibulae from the Middle Dnieper and Donets region, see Гавритухин / Обломский 1996, 39-40. 28 SEVENTH-CENTURY FIBULAE WITH BENT STEM IN THE BALKANS 63 Fig. 14. Later fibulae with bent stem: Lezhë (1 grave 4; 2 grave 7). After Prendi 1979-1980, 166, pl. XX/1, 2 Fig. 15. Combinations of dress and personal accessories found together with later fibulae with bent stem: DISC – disc-shaped brooches; BUCK – buckles; BRACE – bracelets; TORC – torcs; BEAD – glass beads; EAR – earrings; FINGER – finger-rings from the Balkans, namely after ca. 620. I have suggested elsewhere that the “Komani culture” represents the archaeological remains of a population of “soldiers in the garrisons of forts in northern Albania [who] lived there permanently together with their families” (Curta 2006, 104; see also Dzino 2010, 86). There is, however, no excavation of a seventh- to eighth-century fort in Albania, and the presence of weapons in burials does not necessarily indicate the military status of the population (Komata 1983). Be as it may, the typological links between the sixth-century fibulae with bent stem and those found in seventh-century assemblages cannot be explained historically without some degree of continuity between the material culture of the Balkan military sites built and occupied under Emperor Justinian and his successors, on one hand, and the “Komani culture” on the other hand. After the whole of the northern and central Balkans had been completely abandoned, a 64 FLORIN CURTA Fig. 16. The chronology of the main burial assemblages with later fibulae with bent stem Fig. 17. Distribution of later fibulae with bent stem. Numbers refer to the sites in the Appendix. The smallest circle indicates one specimen, and then in ascending order, 2-4, 5-9, over 20, and over 30 specimens SEVENTH-CENTURY FIBULAE WITH BENT STEM IN THE BALKANS 65 group of population in the highlands of central and northern Albania and the surrounding areas continued to maintain the traditions of the sixth-century Balkan culture. Foremost among those traditions was the female dress with fibulae with bent stem. While the fibulae were by now considerably larger – no doubt in an attempt to make them even more visible – the revival of that old fashion may have well been a statement of group identity. Whether refugees from the northern and central regions of the Balkans abandoned by the Roman army and administration, or simply locals who refused to withdraw, those who after ca. 620 buried their dead in northern Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia, and the island of Corfu may have done so having in mind the idealized image of the past Roman power. Appendix: Seventh-century fibulae with bent stem in the Balkans 1. Aphiona, Kerkyra (Greece); 5 copper-alloy specimens from destroyed burials and a local collection in Kerkyra; 1 specimen from grave 14; Bulle 1934, 217, 227, fig. 28, 228, fig. 29, 229, fig. 30. 2. Bukël, near Mirditë, district of Lezhë (Albania); grave 4: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 213); grave 6: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 214, pl. V/3); grave 8: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 214); grave 11: fragment (Anamali 1971, 214); grave 12: 2 specimens, one copper alloy, the other of iron (Anamali 1971, 214); grave 14: fragment of an iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 215); grave 15: fragment of an iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 215); grave 17: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 215); grave 18: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 215); grave 19: 2 iron specimens (Anamali 1971, 215 and pl. V/1); grave 23: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 216); grave 24: copper-alloy specimen (Anamali 1971, 216); grave 25: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 216); grave 26: copperalloy specimen (Anamali 1971, 216, pl. VI/3); grave 28: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 216); grave 29 (Anamali 1971, 216); grave 30: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 216); grave 21: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 216-217); grave 33: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 217); grave 34: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 217); grave 37: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 217); grave 38: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 217, pl. V/4); grave 39: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 217); grave 49: iron specimen (Anamali 1971, 217, pl. V/2); grave 50: copper-alloy specimen (Anamali 1971, 217, pl. VI/2). 3. Derjan, near Macukull, district of Dibër (Albania); copper-alloy specimen (Kurti 1971, 269-270, pl. I). 4. Klos, near Blinisht, district of Lezhë (Albania); 2 copper-alloy specimens (Kurti 1971, 269-270, pl. I). 5. Koman, district of Shkodër (Albania); 13 stray finds, 11 copper-alloy and 2 iron specimens (Degrand 1901, 258, 261; Ippen 1907, 16, 18, fig. 1-3; Korkuti / Kallfa 1971, pl. 130; Spahiu 1971, pl. III/1-7; Anamali 1988, 151, 457, fig. 373); grave found at some point after 1900: 2 copper-alloy specimens (Ippen 1907, 17-20, 17, fig. 25/8); grave found before 1927: bronze specimen (unpublished, in the collection of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, inv. 1927/466); grave 1: 2 copper-alloy specimens (Traeger 1900, 45, 46, fig. 1); grave 2: 2 iron specimens (Traeger 1900, 45-46, 47 fig. 4-5); grave 4: iron specimen (Spahiu 1979-1980, 29, 3738, pl. IV/10); grave 5: copper-alloy specimen (Spahiu 1979-1980, 29, 36); grave 8: iron specimen (Spahiu 1979-1980, 29); grave 11: iron specimen (Spahiu 1979-1980, 29); grave 14: copper-alloy specimen (Spahiu 1979-1980, 29, pl. IV/12); grave 15: iron specimen (Spahiu 1979-1980, 29); grave 19: iron specimen (Spahiu 1979-1980, 30); grave 24: iron specimen (Spahiu 1979-1980, 30); grave 25: iron specimen (Spahiu 1979-1980, 30); grave 34: copper-alloy specimen (Spahiu 1979-1980, 30-31); grave 45: copper-alloy specimen (Spahiu 1979-1980, 232, pl. III/3). 6. Krujë, district of Durrës (Albania); 13 stray finds, 10 copper-alloy and 3 iron specimens (Ippen 1907, 20, fig. 31/2, 3; Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 31, pl. VII, 32, fig. 11); grave found in 1931: 3 specimens, 2 copper-alloy and 1 of iron (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 6, fig. 1); grave 2: copper-alloy specimen (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 15); grave 4: copper-alloy specimen (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 13); grave 4b: copper-alloy specimen (Komata 1982, 224, pl. II/4); grave 5: iron specimen (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 13); grave 6: iron specimen (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 13); grave 7: iron specimen (Anamali / Spahiu 66 FLORIN CURTA 1963, 13); grave 8: copper-alloy specimen (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 13); grave 12: iron specimen (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 13-14); grave 13: 3 specimens, one copper-alloy and 2 iron specimens (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 14); grave 17: iron specimen (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 14); grave 19: copper-alloy specimen (Anamali, Spahiu 1963, 14); grave 20: copper-alloy specimen (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 14); grave 22: iron specimen (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 13); grave 25: iron specimen (Anamali / Spahiu 1963, 16). 7. Lezhë (Albania); 4 copper-alloy specimens (Buchet et al. 2004, 484); grave 4: iron specimen (Prendi 1979-1980, 126-127, 166, pl. XX/2); grave 7: iron specimen (Prendi 1979-1980, 126-127, pl. XX/1); grave 6/2: iron specimen (Buchet et al. 2008, 255, fig. 12). 8. Mijele, near Vir Pazar, district of Bar (Montenegro); grave 3: copper-alloy specimen (Milinković 2005, 312, 313, fig. 4/4); grave 4: copper-alloy specimen (Milinković 2005, 312, 313, fig. 4/6); grave 6: copper-alloy specimen (Milinković 2005, 312, 313, fig. 4/5); grave 8: copper-alloy specimen (Milinković 2005, 312, 313, fig. 4/9). 9. Prilep (Macedonia); 3 copper-alloy specimens (Kovačević 1986, 120; Mikulčić 2002, 357, fig. 257/1, 2). 10. Prosek, near Mirditë, district of Lezhë (Albania); grave 1: copper-alloy specimen (Doda 1989, 146, 164, pl. I/1); grave 2: iron specimen (Doda 1989, 147, 165, pl. II/1); grave 3: copper-alloy specimen (Doda 1989, 147, 166, pl. III/1); grave 12: iron specimen (Doda 1989, 149, 169, pl. VI/8); grave 13: copper-alloy specimen (Doda 1989, 149, 170, pl. VII/1); grave 14: copper-alloy specimen (Doda 1989, 149, 171, pl. VIII/1); grave 17: copper-alloy specimen (Doda 1989, 149, 169, pl. VII/9); grave 20: fragment of a copper-alloy specimen (Doda 1989, 150, 173, pl. X/1); grave 21: copper-alloy specimen (Doda 1989, 150, 173, pl. X/3). 11. Radolishte, in Zagrčani, near Struga (Macedonia); copper-alloy specimen (Маленко 1985, pl. XVIII/5). 12. Shurdhah, district of Shkodër (Albania); 2 stray finds, copper-alloy specimens (Komata 1979-1980, 105, pl. I, 118, pl. IV/10); grave 3: iron speicmen (Komata 19791980, 108, 118, pl. IV/9); grave 11: iron specimen (Komata 1979-1980, 108, 118, pl. IV/11). 13. Sv. Erazmo, in Orman, near Ohrid (Macedonia); 7 copper-alloy specimens (Маленко 1976, 224, fig. 3, 234, fig. 14/5, 10; Маленко 1985, pl. V, VI/1-2; Mikulčić 2002, 480, 481, fig. 400, 401/4). 14. Veli Mlun, near Buzet, Istria (Croatia); grave 3: bronze specimen (Marušić 1967, 338, 347, pl. VI/1). 15. Vrrin (Shënevlash), district of Durrës (Albania); copper-alloy specimen (Myrto 1984, 22, pl. II/1). Bibliography Айбабин, А. И. 1982. Погребения конца VII в. – первой половины VIII в. в Крыму. In: Амброз, А. А. / Ердели, И. (ред.). Древности епохи великого переселения народов веков. Советско-венгерский сборник. Москва. 165-192. Гавритухин, И. О. / Обломский, А. М. 1996. Гапоновский клад и его культурно-исторический контекст. Москва. Горюнов, E. A. / Казанский, М. М. 1978. О происхождении широко- пластинчатых фибул. – Краткие сообщения Института Археологии АН СССР 155, 25-31. Јанковић, Ђ. 1980. Позднеантичные фибулы VI-VII веков и славяне. In: Chropovský, B. (ed.). Rapports du III-e Congrès international d’archéologie slave. Bratislava, 7-14 septembre 1975. Bratislava. 171-181. Ковачевић, J. 1960. Археологија и историја варварске колонизације јужнословенских области (од IV до почетка VII века). Нови Сад. Маленко, B. 1985. Раносредновековната материјална култура во Охрид и Охридско. In: Апостолски, M. (ред.). Охрид и Охридско низ историјата. Скопје. 269-315. Маленко, B. 1976. Нови археолошки наоди на локалитете “Козлук”, “Габавци” и “Св. Еразмо”. – Macedoniae Acta Archaeologica 2, 219-235. Новик, A. A. / Шевченко, Ю. Ю. 1997. Арберийские фибулы. In: Захарова, Н. (ред.). Семинар “Ювелирное искусство и материальная культура”. Тезисы докладов участников четвертого SEVENTH-CENTURY FIBULAE WITH BENT STEM IN THE BALKANS коллоквиума. Санкт-Петербург. 46-48. Петровић, P. 1992. Команска култура као основ материјалне и духовне културе Словена од VII до XII века. – Гласник ођељења умјености 11, 109-157. Ћоровић-Љубинковић, M. 1986. Винићани. In: Апостолски, M. (ред.). Зборник посветен на Бошко Бабић. Mélange Boško Babić 1924-1984. Прилеп. 133-136. Anamali, S. 1988. Die Albaner, Nachkommen der Illyrer. In: Eggebrecht, A. (ed.). Albanien. Schätze aus dem Land der Skipetaren. Mainz. 148-155. Anamali, S. 1971. Një varrezë e mesjetës së hershme në Bukël të Mirditës. – Iliria 1, 209-225. Anamali, S. 1969. Le problème de la civilisation haute-médiévale albanaise à la lumière des nouvelles découvertes archéologiques. In: Dimitrov, D. P. et al. (eds.). Actes du premier Congrès international des études balkaniques et sudest européennes. Sofia. 547-559. Anamali, S. 1966. Le problème de la civilisation haut-médiévale albanaise à la lumière des nouvelles recherches archéologiques. – Studia Albanica 1, 199-211. Anamali, S. / Spahiu, H. 1979-1980. Varrëza arbërore e Krujes. – Iliria 9-10, 47-103. Anamali, S. / Spahiu, H. 1963. Varrëza e herëshme mesjëtare e Krujës. – Buletin i Universitetit shtetëror të Tiranës 17, 2, 3-85. Arthur, P. / Patterson, H. 1998. Local pottery in southern Puglia in the sixth and seventh centuries. In: Saguì, L. (ed.). Ceramica in Italia: VI-VII secolo. Atti del Convegno in onore di John W. Hayes, Roma, 11-13 maggio 1995. Firenze. 511-530. Arthur, P. / Patterson, H. 1994. Ceramics and early medieval central and southern Italy: “a potted history”. In: Francovich, R. / Noyé, G. (eds.). La storia dell’Alto Medioevo italiano (VI-X secolo) alla luce dell’archeologia. Convegno internazionale (Siena, 2-6 dicembre 1992). Firenze. 409-441. Baldini Lippolis, I. 1999. L’oreficeria nell’impero di Costantinopoli tra IV e VII secolo. Bari. Bóna, I. 1970. Avar lovassír Iváncsáról. – Archaeologiai Értesitő 97, 243-263. Bowden, W. / Hodges, R. 2004. Balkan ghosts? Nationalism and the question of rural continuity in Albania. In: Christie, N. (ed.). Landscapes of Change: Rural Evolutions in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. Aldershot. 195-222. Buchet, L. / Metalla, E. / Nallbani, E. 2008. Lezha (Lissos, Alessio) (Albanie): espace des morts et organisation de l’habitat médiéval. – Mélanges de l’Ecole Française de Rome. Moyen Age 120 (2), 438-443. Buchet, L. / Metalla, E. / Nallbani, E. 2004. Lezha (Lissos, Alessio) (Albanie): espace des morts et organisation de l’habitat médiéval. – Mélanges de l’Ecole Française de Rome. Moyen Age 119, 2, 477-489. Bulle, H. 1934. Ausgrabungen bei Aphiona auf Korfu. – Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts. Athenische Abteilung 39, 147-240. Curta, F. 2013. The beginning of the Middle Ages in the Balkans. – Millennium 9, forthcoming. Curta, F. 2011. Still waiting for the barbarians? The making of the Slavs in “Dark-Age” Greece. In: Curta, F. (ed.). Neglected Barbarians. Turnhout. 403478. Curta, F. 2006. Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 500-1250. Cambridge / New York. Curta, F. / Gândilă, A. 2011. Too much typology, too little history: a critical approach to the classification and interpretation of cast fibulae with bent stem. – Archaeologia Bulgarica 15, 3, 51-81. 67 Čilinská, Z. 1975. Frauenschmuck aus dem 7.-8. Jahrhundert im Karpatenbecken. – Slovenská Archeológia 23, 1, 63-96. Čremošnik, I. 1987-1988. Rimsko utvrdenje na gradini u Biogracima kod Listice. – Glasnik Zemaljskog Muzeja Bosne i Hercegovine u Sarajevu 42-43, 83-128. Degrand, A. 1901. Souvenirs de la Haute-Albanie. Paris. Dhima, A. 1989. Lënda eshtërore e varrezës së Prosekut. – Iliria 19, 1, 177-212. Doda, N. 1989. Varreza arbërore e Prosekut (rrethi i Mirditës). – Iliria 19, 137-177. Dzino, D. 2010. Becoming Slav, Becoming Croat. Identity Transformation in Post-Roman and Early Medieval Dalmatia. Leiden / Boston. Fülöp, G. 1988. Awarenzeitliche Fürstenfunde von Igar. – Acta Archaeologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 40, 151-190. Garam, É. 2001. Funde byzantinischer Herkunft in der Awarenzeit vom Ende des 6. bis zum Ende des 7. Jahrhunderts. Budapest. Garam, É. 1993. Die awarenzeitlichen Scheibenfibeln. – Communicationes Archaeologicae Hungariae, 99-134. Hessen, O. von. 1983. Il materiale altomedievale nelle collezioni Stibbert di Firenze. Firenze. Horedt, K. 1958. Contribuţii la istoria Transilvaniei în secolele IV-XIII. Bucureşti. Ibler, U. 1992. Pannonische Gürtelschnallen des späten 6. und 7. Jahrhunderts. – Arheološki vestnik 43, 135-148. Ippen, Th. 1907. Denkmäler verschiedener Altersstufen in Albanien. – Wissenschaftliche Mitteilungen aus Bosnien und der Herzegowina 10, 3-70. 68 Kiss, A. 1996. Das awarenzeitlichgepidische Gräberfeld von KölkedFeketekapu A. Budapest. Komata, D. 1983. Te dhëna arkeologijke për qytetin arbëror (shek. VII-XI). – Iliria 13, 1, 209-216. Komata, D. 1982. Të dhëna të reja arkeologjike nga Kalaja e Krujës. – Iliria 12, 1, 221-232. Komata, D. 1979-1980. Varrëza arbërore e Shurdhahut (Rrethi i Shkodres). – Iliria 9-10, 105-121. Korkuti, M. / Kallfa, M. 1971. Shqiperia arkeologjike. Tirana. Kovačević, J. 1986. Βάβας. In: Апостолски, M. (ed.). Зборник посветен на Бошко Бабић. Mélange Boško Babić 1924-1984. Prilep. 119-121. Kovrig, I. / Korek, J. 1960. Le cimetière de l’époque avare de Csóka (Čoka). – Acta Archaeologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 12, 257-297. Kraskovská, L. 1962. Pohrebisko v Bernolákove. – Slovenská Archeológia 10, 425-476. Kurti, D. 1971. Gjurmë të kulturës së hershme Shqiptare ne Mat. – Iliria 1, 269-274. Marušić, B. 1967. Nekropole VII. i VIII. stoljeća u Istri. – Arheološki vestnik 18, 333-347. Mikulčić, I. 2002. Spätantike und frühbyzantinische Befestigungen in Nordmakedonien. Städte-ViciRefugien-Kastelle. München. Miletić, N. 1978. Ranosrednjovekovna nekropola u Koritima kod Duvna. – Glasnik zemaljskog muzeja Bosne i Hercegovine u Sarajevu 33, 1978, 141-204. Milinković, M. 2005. Einige Bemerkungen zu spätromanischen Funden in Süddalmatien und Montenegro. In: Dobiat, C. (ed.). Reliquiae gentium. Festschrift für Horst Wolfgang Böhme zum 65. Geburtstag. Rahden. 303-317. FLORIN CURTA Milošević, A. 2009. Ponovo o nalazima „komanskog“ obilježja u Dalmaciji. – Godišnjak. Centar za balkanološka ispitivanja 38, 97-120. Morrisson, C. / Popović, V. / Ivanišević, V. 2006. Les trésors monétaires byzantins des Balkans et d’Asie Mineure (491713). Paris. Myrto, H. 1984. Një varrezë antike në fshatin Vrrin. – Iliria 14, 1, 215-225. Nallbani, E. 2004a. Résurgence des traditions de l’Antiquité tardive dans les Balkans occidentaux: étude des sépultures du nord de l’Albanie. – Hortus Artium Medievalium 10, 25-42. Nallbani, E. 2004b. Transformations et continuité dans l’ouest des Balkans: le cas de la civilisation de Komani (VIe-IXe siècles). In: Cabanes, P. / Lamboley, J.-L. (eds.). L’Illyrie méridionale et l’Epire dans l’Antiquité. IV. Actes du IVe colloque international de Grenoble, 10-12 octobre 2002. Paris. 481-490. Nallbani, E. 2003. Quelques objets anciens dans la culture de «Komani». – Studia Albanica 1, 107-119. Nallbani, E. 2002. La civilisation de «Komani» de l’Antiquité tardive au Haut Moyen Age. Ph. D. Dissertation, Université de Paris-I Sorbonne. Paris. Nopcsa, F. B. 1912. Beiträge zur Vorgeschichte und Ethnologie Nordalbaniens. –Wissenschaftliche Mitteilungen aus Bosnien und der Herzegowina 12, 168-253. Popović, V. 1984. Byzantins, Slaves et autochtones dans les provinces de Prévalitane et Nouvelle Epire. In: Villes et peuplement dans l’Illyricum protobyzantin. Actes du colloque organisé par l’École Française de Rome, Rome 12-14 mai 1982. Rome. 181-243. v Albaniji. – Arheološki vestnik 25, 552-561. Riemer, E. 2010. Byzantinische und romanisch-mediterrane Fibeln in der Forschung. In: Daim, F. / Drauschke, J. (eds.). Byzanz – das Römerreich im Mittelalter. Teil 1. Welt der Ideen, Welt der Dinge. Mainz. 283-335. Riemer, E. 2000. Romanische Grabfunde des 5.-8. Jahrhunderts in Italien. Rahden. Schulze-Dörrlamm, M. 2002. Byzantinische Gürtelschnallen und Gürtelbeschläge im RömischGermanischen Zentralmuseums. Teil I: Die Schnallen ohne Beschläg, mit Laschenbeschläg und mit festem Beschläg des 6. bis 7. Jahrhunderts. Mainz. Spahiu, H. 1986. Parures et bijoux arbers. – Dossiers, histoire et archéologie 111, 89-91. Spahiu, H. 1979-1980. Varreza arbërore e Kalasë së Dalmacës (Gërmime të vitit 1961). – Iliria 9-10, 23-46. Spahiu, H. 1971. Gjetje të vjetra nga varreza mesjetare e Kalasë së Dalmaces. – Iliria 1, 227-261. Spahiu, H. 1964. Gërmimet e vitit 1961 në varrezën e herëshme mesjetare të Kalasë së Dalmaces. – Studime Historike 1, 3, 71-96. Stadler, P. 2008. Avar chronology revisited, and the question of ethnicity in the Avar qaganate. In: Curta, F. (ed.). The Other Europe in the Middle Ages. Avars, Bulgars, Khazars, and Cumans. Leiden / Boston. 47-82. Prendi, F. 1979-1980. Një varrëze e kulturës arbërore në Lezhë. – Iliria 9-10, 123-170. Stadler, P. 1996. Der Schatz von Vrap, Albanien. In: Daim, F. / Kaus, K. / Tomka, P. (eds.). Reitervölker aus dem Osten. Hunnen + Awaren. Burgenländische Landesausstellung 1996. Schloß Halbturn, 26. April-31. Oktober 1996. Eisenstadt. 432-438. Rajterić-Sivec, I. 1974. Oris arheološkega stanja in povojna raziskovanja zgodnjesrednjeveške arheologije Stoianova-Serafimova, D. 1979. Die neuentdeckte mittelalterliche Nekropole beim Dorf Tukhovište, Kreis SEVENTH-CENTURY FIBULAE WITH BENT STEM IN THE BALKANS Blagoevgrad. In: Chropovský, B. (ed.). Rapports du III-e Congrès international d‘archéologie slave. Bratislava 7-14 septembre 1975. Bratislava. 789-804. Svoboda, B. 1953. Poklad byzantského kovotepce v Zemianském Vrbovku. – Památky Archeologické 44, 33-108. Tartari, F. 1984. Një varrezë e mesjetës së hershme në Durrës. – Iliria 14, 1, 227-250. Traeger, P. 1900. Mittheilungen und Funde aus Albanien. – Zeitschrift für Ethnologie, 33-51. Uenze, S. 1992. Die spätantiken Befestigungen von Sadovec. Ergebnisse der deutsch-bulgarisch-österreichischen Ausgrabungen 1934-1937. München. Varsik, V. 1992. Byzantinische Gürtelschnallen im mittleren und unteren Donauraum im 6. und 7. Jahrhundert. – Slovenská Archeológia 40, 1, 77-103. Velimirović-Žigić, O. 1971. Mijele, près de Vir pazar, nécropole du Haut Moyen Age. In: Novak, G. / Benac, A. / Garašanin, M. / Tašić, N. (eds.). Epoque préhistorique et protohistorique en Yougoslavie - Recherches et résultats. Beograd. 151-153. Veseli, S. 2006. Archaeology, nationalism, and the construction of national identity in Albania. In: Bejko, L. / Hodges, R. (eds.). New Directions in Albanian Archaeology. Studies Presented to Muzafer Korkuti. Tirana. 323-330. Vida, T. / Völling, Th. 2000. Das slawische Brandgräberfeld von Olympia. Rahden. Vinski, Z. 1971. Haut Moyen Age. In: Novak, G. / Benac, A. / Garašanin, M. / Tašić, N. (eds.). Epoque préhistorique et protohistorique en Yougoslavie Recherches et résultats. Beograd. 375-397. Werner, J. 1986. Der Schatzfund von Vrap in Albanien. Beiträge zur Archäologie der Awarenzeit im mittleren Donauraum. Wien. Womer Katzev, S. 1982. Miscellaneous 69 finds. In: Baas, G. F. / Doorninck, F. H. van (eds.). Yassi Ada. A SeventhCentury Byzantine Shipwreck. College Station. 266-295. Zábojník, J. 1991. Seriation von Gürtelbeschlaggarnituren aus dem Gebiet der Slowakei und Österreichs. In: Čilinská, Z. (ed.). K problematike osídlenia stredodunajskej oblasti vo včasnom stredoveku. Nitra. 219-321. Πούλου-Παπαδημητρίου, N. 2001. Βυζαντινή κεραμική από τον ελληνικό νησιώτικο χώρο και από την Πελοπόννησο (7ος-9ος αι.): μια πρώτη προσέγγιση. In: Κουντούρα-Γαλάκη, E. (ed.). Οι σκοτεινοί αιώνες του Βυζαντίου (7ος-9ος αι.). Αθήνα. 231-296. Προκοπίου, E. 1997. Βυζαντινές πόρπες από την Αμαθούντα και την Παλαιά Συλλογή του Κυπριακού Μουσείου. In: Χρίστου, Δ. / Πιλείδου, Δ. / Ιερονιμίδου, Μ. / Χατζισάββας, Γ. / Δούσι, E. (eds.). Η Κύπρος και το Αιγαίο στην Αρχαιότητα από την Προϊστορική περίοδο έως τον 7ου αι. μ.Χ., Λευκωσία 8-10 Δεκεμβρίου 1995. Νικοσία. 333-342. Фибули с увито краче от VII век на Балканите Флорин КУРТА (резюме) Въпреки че са признати за отличителен белег на така наречената култура Коман, късните фибули с увито краче от западния дял на Балканите не са изследвани достатъчно. В Албания тези фибули се тълкуват като водещ елемент, свързващ културата Коман с илирите от I хил. пр. Хр. Югославските археолози от своя страна наблягат на типологичната им връзка с фибули от военни обекти, датиращи от управлението на Юстиниан (527-565) и императорите след него. Как всъщност фибули, популярни през VI век в Подунавието, станали толкова разпространени в албанските планини през VII век? Целта на статията е отговори на този и на други свързани въпроси чрез анализ на 140 фибули с увито краче 70 FLORIN CURTA от археологически комплекси, които могат с известна степен на сигурност да се датират след 600 година. Тези фибули могат да се разделят на три групи. Едната (най-голямата) включва екземпляри, чиито лъкове са 3-4 пъти по-широки от крачето (фиг. 1/5, 2/1, 3/1, 6/2). Представителите на втората група притежават лъкове, украсени с окръжности с отбелязан център (т. нар. орнамент „птиче око“) или с врязана линия (фиг. 9-11). Всички те са много големи, понякога надвишават 15 см дължина. Третата група фибули са железни без украса (фиг. 12/2-6, 13/1, 2, 4-6). Повечето от късните фибули с увито краче са единични находки. Когато произлизат от археологически комплекси, те се придружават от обици и пръстени, и като правило липсват токи и гривни (фиг. 15). Това че в около една-трета от всички случаи, представени на фиг. 15, фибулите са придружени от токи предполага, че са носени по-скоро като украса, отколкото с практическа цел. Хронологичният анализ показва, че повечето комплекси с такива фибули се датират във втората трета на VII век – около 630 до около 660 година (фиг. 16). Не е възможно обаче да се определи, кога точно фибулите с увито краче от VII век влизат в употреба нито се забелязва „еволюция“ от къси към дълги екземпляри. Въпреки че фибулите от VII век са типологично близки с фибули от VI век с лък по-широк от крачето, последните липсват в днешна Албания. Същевременно фибулите от VII век са регистрирани само в ограничена област в западните Балкани (фиг. 17), представяйки местно развитие на група по-ранни фибули, типични за централните и северните райони на Балканите. Изглежда късните фибули с увито краче се появяват след оттеглянето на римската армия и администрация от Балканите след около 620 година. След като целият северен и централен дял на Балканите били напълно изоставени, една група население в планините на централна и северна Албания и околните райони продължила традициите на балканската култура от VI век. Характерна черта на тези традиции била женската носия с фибули с увито краче. Сега те били значително по-големи, за да се виждат по-добре. Затова допускаме, че възраждането на тяхната стара мода било афиширане на етно-културна / групова идентичност. Prof. Florin Curta Department of History College of Liberal Arts and Sciences University of Florida 202 Flint Hall P.O. Box 117320 USA-Gainesville, FL 32611-7320 fcurta@ufl.edu