Paper short abstract:

This paper discusses implication of Serbian archaeologists and institutions in the political debate raised from complicated serbo-albanian relations. The case of ethnic and territorial determination of Glasinac culture in Balkans Bronze and Iron Ages will be analysed as a key study.

Paper long abstract:

This paper discusses implication of Serbian archaeologists and scientific institutions in late 1980s and 1990s in the political debate raised from complicated serbo-albanian relations in the last decades. Both parts in the violent dispute over the region of Kosovo as a key argument appeal on their historical right to rule these 10887 km² of territory. Serbian part claim succession of long-standing medieval statehood on Kosovo, which is converted in essence of their national identity today. On the other side, Albanian nationalist discourse insists on their indigenous, Illyrian origin, which dates their presence on the Balkans far before arrival of Serbs.

How this social situation was reflected in science and which was importance of interpretation offered by Serbian archaeology in popular nationalist discourse? Trying to answer this question through a case study, in this paper I will analyse arguments in archaeological debate about ethnic definition and territorial distribution of what is defined as Glasinac culture in Western Balkans Bronze and Iron Ages.