Chronological Indicators of Post-Hunnic Steppe Antiquities in Eastern Europe

Abstract

The article discusses chronologically important things from the finds belonging to the steppe nomads of the Post-Hunnic periods in Eastern Europe, from the Urals to the Lower Danube (mid 5th – mid 6th centuries): weapons, horse equipment, elements of costume, jewelry. It should be noted that very similar types of these things prevail across the entire steppe area during the Post-Hunnic time, indicating the steppe nomad cultural homogeneity, regardless of their origin and ethnicity. Some things from the steppe graves of the time have a wider date and exist until the 7th century. Some things are typical for the early stage of the Post-Hunnic horizon, i.e. time around the middle – the second half of the 5th century. On the other hand, some things mark the end of the Post-Hunnic era and date back to the middle or second half of the 6th century. The date for most of the things examined here is established by external analogies, known in vast territories, which include the Western European and Balkan-Danubian regions. There the reasoned chronology of antiquities of the 5th – 6th centuries was developed, which is based on numerous coin finds and also on dendrochronology. Equally important for the chronology of steppe antiquities are analogs derived from the monuments of the sedentary population of the steppe borderlands, where there are numerous closed complexes. First of all, these are monuments of the North Caucasus, and the Crimea, on the chronology of which there are numerous studies. Some of the things we have considered belong to the prestigious “princely” culture and are of Mediterranean or Asian origin and thus reflect the cultural, military and political, economic ties of the steppe population and political orientation of the steppe “princely” elites in the Early Middle Ages.