Fortifications of late antiquity and early medieval in northwestern Kosova

Abstract

Fortifications of late antiquity and medieval period in northwestern region of Kosova come as the result of barbarian assaults and devastation between 4th and 6th century. The territory of Dardania of the time, approximately where Kosova stretches today, sustained continually assaults from Goths, Slavs, Avars, Huns, and so on. These drives affected development of a new fortification network, which came out of immediate necessity for protection. In the beginnings, this activity can be found with constructions of Castrum type, such as one in Peja, reaching to a sophisticated network of fortifications commissioned by the Emperor of Byzantium, Justinian I (527-565). Fortifications stretched in densely populated centres and surrounding areas near traffic routes, river valleys, gorges, canyons, as well as, in the inner parts of the country in distant mountains, which had preconditions and maintained natural defensive positions. The argument is corroborated and supported with evidence from almost all castles, which were bounded up by natural bulwark and additional stonewalls. The protection and control of main roads played a significant role. Fortresses were usually placed in positions that enabled overseeing trade roads of caravans and convoys. Practically, fortresses situated near trade routes mostly acted as customs checkpoints, as this part covered very important roads such as Lissus - Naissus and other secondary routes of relevance for the time. This road junction connected Adriatic to the rest of Balkans in direction of Naissus, Ulpiana and Scupi, the important urban centres of the region. Another important fortress of this part was the one in Radac and in Alba e Madhe (Jabllanica e Madhe).