Archaeological Guide of Kosovo

espectively, social differentiation within the society, makes this period
different and particular from earlier and later periods. The Bronze Age
followed the Copper Age, stretching in the time period from 2500 up
to 1100 BC. With the advancement of the metallurgy factorial industry,
and with the mixing of copper with tin, the bronze was created as
an alloy. The formula invention for creating this stronger metal, leads
towards the preparation and production of weapons, tools and jewelry.
The particularity of this period lies in the fact that matriarchate is replaced
with patriarchate, the social differentiation was developed and
the first elements of tribal aristocracy emerged. All new changes and
developments are reflected in the material culture discovered in various
sites across Kosovo. During the past researches’ carried in Kosovo, dozens
of settlements, cemeteries and fortresses of the early, middle and late
Bronze Age were recorded. Nevertheless, this period marks the beginning
of the creation of the Illyrian ethnos which was consolidated during
the following Iron Age (1100 BC-middle of the 4th Century BC.), a
period that is credited for full consolidation of the ethno-culture unity
of the Illyrians, respectively the Dardanians, as one of the biggest and
the most populated tribes of vast territory, whereas, the present territory
of the Republic of Kosovo, takes a central position within the Dardanian
Kingdom. Besides the exploitation of the metals for the massive production
of weapons and to some extent the working tools for agriculture,
the Iron Age evidenced in Kosovo is well presented with lowland
settlements but also with upland fortresses, often protected by traverses
and ditches or drywalls. Regarding the fortifications, the Iron Age is
characteristic for the erected fortresses on the top of the hills, with good
geostrategic positions, partially protected by nature. Nevertheless, the
identification ‘stamp’ of the Iron Age as documented, recorded and
studied in Kosovo, are the burial mounds, or locally known as the tumulus
graves (Illyrian grave hills), and quite dispersed all around Kosovo,
counting maybe hundreds and either set in groups or even as solitary
tumulus.
34 Archaeological Guide of Kosovo