Bronze Age and the Embedded Macedonian Question

This paper analyses two Macedonian Early Bronze Age 'archaeological cultures' and how their conception relates to the New Macedonian Question. The notions of Maliq culture and Armenochori groups are critically discussed using new evidence from Sovjan (Albania). Stratigraphy, radiocarbon dates and pottery analysis for Sovjan challenge a number of established interpretations on Early Bronze Age cultural patterns and connectivity in Macedonia. In particular, the notion of Armenochori type kantharos is thoroughly discussed showing that such a definition is too narrow to embrace all types of two-handled vessels that spread in the south-western Balkans between the late 3rd and early 2nd millennium BC, and should thus be abandoned in favour of a more complete and nuanced classification. Finally, combining Geschichtskultur with archaeological data, this paper shows how modern borders, cultural milieus and different research traditions influence the definition and interpretation of artefacts' spatial variability.