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Introduction

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The Velestino Hoard

Part of the book series: New Approaches to Byzantine History and Culture ((NABHC))

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Abstract

Metalworking in the Byzantine Empire is poorly studied. Not enough workshops have been excavated systematically, and many finds are without context. Technological developments, particularly casting, have received comparatively more attention. In that respect, the Velestino assemblage is of an exceptional importance, as nothing comparable is known for the entire Middle Byzantine period. The remarkable diversity of iconographic themes, technological solutions and alloys offers a unique opportunity to study the Middle Byzantine fine metalworking. Scholars have so far regarded the assemblages primarily as a source for pre-Christian religious beliefs, particularly the mythology of the early Slavs. That interpretation, however, is wrong. The alternative interpretation of the historical circumstances of the hoard is derived from the chronology and cultural links resulting from the archaeological and art historical analysis of the hoard’s components. Restoring Velestino to its late seventh- or early eighth-century context means to open a page of Middle Byzantine culture that was until now unknown.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Florin Curta

  2. Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland

    Bartłomiej Szymon Szmoniewski

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  1. Florin Curta
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  2. Bartłomiej Szymon Szmoniewski
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Curta, F., Szmoniewski, B.S. (2019). Introduction. In: The Velestino Hoard. New Approaches to Byzantine History and Culture. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04846-4_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04846-4_1

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-04845-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-04846-4

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