Long-Distance Networks in the Adriatic Balkans during the 3rd Millennium BCE

This paper reviews current research on long-distance networks involving prehistoric communities in the Adriatic Balkans during the late 3rd to early 2nd millennium BCE, focusing on the “Cetina phenomenon.” Characterized by distinctive tumuli and pottery, Cetina culture was prominent in the Adriatic and integrated with Bell Beaker, Aegean, and Balkan networks. Chron- ological studies are challenged by fragmented evidence, and absolute dating remains limited. Cetina pottery, found across Greece, Italy, and the central Mediterranean, suggests significant maritime connectivity. Two primary models explain Cetina expansion: one suggests a single and short mobility pattern, while the other proposes a complex, multi-phase network involving both Balkan and Greek groups. Recent research based on network analysis and community of practices used modularity to identify crucial hubs and segmented the network into distinct groups. This evolving view highlights Cetina communities’ high mobility, including both maritime and land- based transhumance practices.