New Synthesis of Early Medieval Iron Hoards from Slovakia

The aim of this article is to present a theory on early medieval hoards of iron implements from the region of Slovakia. The chronological range is from the end of the 8th to the beginning of the 10th century. 74 known hoards will be classified using a statistical factor analysis, principal component analysis. This type of analysis enables identification of the variability and the most common iron implements and their combinations that appear in early medieval hoards. Attention will also be focused on the occurrence of specific objects in a hoard, for example warriors’ equipment, agricultural tools or axe-shaped bars, as well as the locations and contexts in which the depots were found. An examination of the excavation circumstances will also be included in order better to understand the results of the principal component analysis. This study will provide a more complete picture of hoards in Slovakia with particular emphasis on hoards of iron implements. It will enable the formation or creation and deposition of hoards in particular places to be interpreted and better understood. The use of statistical methods will further enable a deeper understanding of the theory of hoards in the early medieval period.