Ritual household deposits and the religious imaginaries of early medieval Dalmatia (Croatia)
Kelly Reed
This paper examines three early medieval ritual house deposits from Bribirska glavica, Dalmatia, Croatia. Discovered over the last century these items bring to fore questions regarding relationship between state and secular religion in a region that experienced numerous encounters confrontations within different social groups. explores complexities using term ‘religious imaginaries’ describe how sense of collective identity may manifest itself through individual practice, focusing on value discovered objects (chickens, eggs, whetstones plant remains) their framings. In particular, recovery archaeobotanical remains highlights importance examining use deposits. Overall, despite some variation interpretations practice ‘special’ offerings, majority studies draw conclusion hidden this manner provide broadly protective or apotropaic function. Thus, finds important insights into development religious beliefs suggesting community’s imaginary comprised set values symbols hybridised Christian faith with elements ‘folk magic’ re-inforce power acts.
Journal of Anthropological Archaeology|Oxford University Research Archive (ORA) (University of Oxford)