Pastoralism and Nomadism: An Archaeological Bifurcation

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES have taken place in the archaeology of nomadism over the last few decades. Major advances in molecular anthropology, isotope analysis, paleobotany, and pollen analysis have made it necessary to abandon the ‘nomadic model’ in central Eurasian archaeology, in favour of what is now called ‘agro-pastoralism’. Such changes have not so far influenced the research on medieval nomads. This paper explores possibilities in that direction and tracks avenues of future research on yaylag pastoralism (transhumance), using as study cases sites in the steppe lands north of the Black Sea, as well as in the Carpathian Basin—all dated to between the 6th and the 8th centuries.