The Alans in the Second Bulgarian Empire (in relation to a disputed archaeological find from the Pazardzhik Region of Bulgaria)

Abstract

This article presents a medieval tableware set – an instance of the illicit trafficking of cultural property – associated with the Alanic presence in the territory of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Parts of this assemblage are currently held in Greece and France, while one item, bearing an inscription in Medieval Greek, is in a private collection. It is hypothesized that the set belonged to an Alan who settled in the vicinity of present-day Pazardzhik and concealed these items under historically unclear circumstances. It remains uncertain how the set was acquired – whether as spoils of war or as a gift. One can only speculate as to the original number of items in the set and whether other artifacts – attesting to the presence of the Alans in this region – were discovered alongside these pieces. The purpose of this article is to present the assemblage (including illustrations of the individual objects) and to initiate a discussion among archaeologists and art historians regarding its origin and potential dating.