One phenomena or many? Considerations on the role of selected sites in Slovenia: Na Bleku, Mali grad, and Gradišče above Bašelj. (original) (raw)

The GIS analysis presented in this volume1 resulted in four groups of sites according to the natural affordance. However, it also cautioned that the interpretations suggested can only be used as a starting point for a discussion on the individual sites. What follows is such a discussion on three selected sites in Slovenia: Na Bleku, Mali grad, and Gradišče above Bašelj. Gradišče above Bašelj is a site best known for numerous finds of military equipment and equestrian gear dated between the late 8 and early 10 centuries. Altogether, more than 1700 metal artefacts. However, this is a three-phase site: Late Antique, Early Medieval and High Medieval are known from this site. The distinction baffled early researchers but was clarified by modern excavation. The Late Antique phase is characterised by a stone-built fortified settlement. The end of this phase is radiocarbon-dated to between the end of the 4 and mid-6 centuries AD. This date is corroborated by LRA 1B and LRA 2 amphorae found on the pavement dated in the second half of the 5th and the 6th c. Here we are focusing on the Early Medieval phase. About the book: From Late Antiquity and in the Early Middle Ages, the Eastern Alpine region was a contact zone of various dominions. In the 7th and 8th century, the former part of the Roman Empire was known primarily as a border region between the Frankish Empire and the Avar Khaganate, where the Carantanians established themselves in the 8th century. Despite its importance, however, only a few and mostly late sources are preserved, which makes it difficult to describe this region in an accurate way. The contributions gathered in this volume edited by Maximilian Diesenberger, Stefan Eichert and Katharina Winckler apply comparative and interdisciplinary studies to present new perspectives on the history of the Eastern Alpine region.