Contextualising bow fibulae with Boeotian shield plates: Cultural transfer processes during early iron age in the Central Balkan area

Abstract

Despite the fact that double-looped fibulae with catch-plates in the form of a Boeotian shield have been frequently discussed, it is worthwhile examining the type again from a supra-regional perspective. The following paper, therefore, has two aims. First, the typo-chronological development of the fibulae with catch-plates in the form of a Boeotian shield within the Central Balkan area is considered. The second part of the paper focuses on the processes of the spread of the fibula type. The question is raised as to what extent local elites - integrated in supra-regional networks - could have functioned as transmitters and agents in the processes of cultural transfer.

Keywords

• Early Iron Age
• double-looped bow fibulae
• typo-chronology
• elites
• networks
• cultural transfer