4.34 FC – Medieval Landscapes in Transition – Southeastern Europe and Anatolia

Analyzing settlement patterns and their defining characteristics offers a valuable perspective on the socio-economic landscape of Sterea Hellas during the transitional period from Byzantine to Ottoman rule. By examining aspects such as the location, longevity, size, and primary functions of settlements, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of how communities were structured and how they…

The early medieval period in the Ras region remains only partially understood, based on a limited body of preserved written sources and select archaeological evidence. Although fragmentary, these sources cautiously suggest that between the late ninth and the first half of the twelfth century, the Raška River valley may have functioned as a sparsely inhabited…

This study examines rural life and settlement patterns in the highland areas of Northeastern Anatolia after the Late Byzantine period, with a focus on the Maçka district in present-day Trabzon Province. The region’s mountainous landscape, characterized by steep slopes and a dense network of narrow valleys, significantly influenced seasonal movement patterns, settlement choices, and the…