Original scientific paper

The Migration of the Croats to Dalmatia at the End of 8th century: the K-type sword from Koljane as possible evidence

Ante Milošević ; Muzej hrvatskih arheoloških spomenika S. Gunjače 3 HR – 21000 Split

Abstract

The paper discusses the spatial, archaeological and possible historical
circumstances as well as the chronological and workshop origins of the
newly found early medieval K-type sword in Koljane, central Dalmatia.
In concert with a preliminary discussion of fifteen such swords in Croatia
and of about 50 specimens of the same weapon found elsewhere in Europe
(seven in Ireland, 17 in Norway and 15 in various other countries,
mainly of central Europe), it is hypothesised that it might have been made
in Nordic (Viking) workshops in the second half of the 8th century. It is
also correlated with a historical review of migratory movements of diverse
warlike groups, including the Croats, in the last years of that century.
In a wider narrative context, as displayed and elaborated during the
preparations for and production of the exhibition Croats and Carolingians,
these migratory movements, which brought the Croats from the area
of central and eastern Europe to the space in the mountainous hinterland
of the eastern coast of the Adriatic, are related to the contemporaneous
complex relations between the two empires, the Byzantine and the Carolingian.

Keywords

Dalmatia; Koljane; K-type swords; Early Middle Ages; Croats; Carolingians; Byzantium; Vikings

Hrčak ID:

224677

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/224677

Publication date:

6.9.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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