The Role of Amber in Forming the Social Identity of the Bronze Age Communities in Western Serbia Revealed through Funerary Practices

Abstract

Appearance of amber artefacts in the territory of Serbia can be connected with the Middle Bronze Age, which is later in comparison with the earliest finds of the Baltic amber in south Europe and the Mediterranean. The sites which yielded the amber products are neither numerous nor with even spatial distribution. The Middle Bronze Age finds are grouped inside borders of two geographical units of the central Balkans: the one in Western Serbia, comprising the basins of the rivers Drina and West Morava (sites Belotić-Šumar, Bela Crkva-Cerik Bandera, Banjevac-Jovanin Breg, Brezjak-Paulje, Vranjani-Veliki Lug and Jančići-Ravnine) and the other in the region of Kosovo and Metohija. In all of the cases, the amber finds have funerary context. Reflection of events at the turn of the Middle to Late Bronze Age can be easily recognised in funerary practices, with amber as an important part of grave inventory. The role of amber in forming the social identity of the local communities in Western Serbia can be comprehended having in mind that the rest of the grave inventory is opulent, comprising pottery, bronze jewellery and accessories. It is presumed that the amber decorated the attire of the individuals, possibly socially prominent, but certainly belonging to connected cultures and cultural groups. It is possible that placing the amber in the grave is actually putting the emphasis on the connectivity. The amber, albeit present in small amounts, reveals the importance of this precious resin, the procurement of which was not an easy and safe assignment.