Mobility, Connectivity and Identity of the Population in the Space between Eastern Carpathians and Dnieper. Archaeological studies on the later pre-Roman Iron Age.

• Applicant: Dr. Vasile Iarmulschi
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 539643075

Mobility of individuals, groups and societies is a phenomenon that is not limited to the so-called migration period, but has accompanied mankind from time immemorial. The history of mankind is also a history of mobility. Archaeological finds reflect the great dynamics and diversity in regionally varying clarity. This is due on the one hand to the possibilities of discovery, but on the other hand also to the research situation itself and the available methods. In part, intercultural influences can be clearly recognized; however, it is often difficult to differentiate such "overlaps". Such a picture is conveyed by the archaeological research carried out so far for the region between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dnieper region in the later pre-Roman Iron Age. Here several archaeological groups can be traced, whose chronological, chorological and social position is not as sufficiently researched as their genesis and connectivity with other groups. The archaeological research of the last five to six decades has yielded a wealth of archaeological material. This forms the basis for the study of various aspects of the history of the northwestern Black Sea area in the later pre-Roman Iron Age and helps to draw a general picture of the processes that took place in this large area, but also makes it possible to work out certain problems - chronology, origin of finds, way of life of the population - that characterize the development of these human communities. At the same time, a number of important issues such as the fine chronology of the Late Pre-Roman Iron Age of the northwestern Black Sea area, human mobility in this area, cross-cultural influences, identity, etc. remain to be resolved. My research in the two projects has made me aware of the existing research desideratum and has prompted me to continue research on the above-mentioned questions, which have been rather ignored so far. This will be done primarily by examining the "clothing" of these communities. "Clothing" refers to the consciously chosen elements of a person's external appearance. In this sense, the concept of clothing also includes all objects that are worn on the body by a person together with the textile components, i.e. including jewelry and possibly weapons. In the different characteristics of the outer appearance, a mutual dependence on the personal participation in a collective sign system and on the individual realization of this system becomes apparent, which are difficult to distinguish and can be read together as a strategy of self-representation.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants