Pages: 449-465

The study addresses the problem of the medieval seasonal settlements from today’s South-Eastern Bulgaria. Three of them are located on the territory of the mining and electricity complex of “Maritsa-Iztok”. Two of them are entirely excavated and are situated on the land of Gledachevo village, the third one is partially studied and is located nearby Polski Gradets village, and the last one — in the area of “Shihanov bryag” nearby the city of Harmanly.
Archaeological data undoubtedly points to the fact that there is no cultural layer in any of the seasonal settlements. There are neither archaeological materials nor artefacts excluding some pottery pieces. There are no graveyards, which once again is a proof of the brief habitation in these areas. According to the ethnographical data, there are four basic types of stock-breeding. The first is the so-called Alpine or mountain stockbreeding, the second one — transhumance, the third one — nomadism, and the fourth one — stationary livestock farming.
The analysis of the archaeological and ethnographical data allows us to infer that, for the time being, there is no connection between seasonal settlements and transhumance or nomadism. Anyway, there is no doubt that they are related to the mobile stock-breeding.

Keywords: South-Eastern Bulgaria, medieval seasonal settlements, nomadic camp, alpine stock-breeding, transhumance, nomadism

Information about author:

Boris Borisov (Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria). Doctor, Professor. St. Cyril and Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo. Theodosius of Tarnovo St., 2, Veliko Tarnovo, 5003, Bulgaria
E-mail: [email protected]