Settlement patterns in the eastern and central Slovenia during the Middle and the Late Bronze age (the Oloris – Podsmreka horizon)

Abstract

The article represents a short synthesis about settlements from the Middle and the beginning of the Late Bronze Age in central and eastern regions of Slovenia. Special attention is given to two key-sites, Medvode-Svetje and Trata near Škofja Loka, both from the Gorenjska region. Numerous archaeological excavations and subsequent research publications in the last two decades brought about new insights on dwelling features, forms of housing and on settlement characteristics itself. At the same time, a completely new understanding of the spectre of ceramic repertoire has been obtained, while new radiocarbon dating results enable us to complement the absolute chronology of the given time period.