SERBIAN MINING IN KOSOVO AND METOHIA DURING THE MIDDLE AGES
SERBIAN MINING IN KOSOVO AND METOHIA DURING THE MIDDLE AGES

Summary/Abstract: On the economic map of the medieval Serbian state, Kosovo and Metohia was a region of farming settlements and vineyards, surrounded by zones of mining production and metal processing. These settlements had market squares – interconnected by a network of caravan roads – where local traders interacted with entrepreneurs from other regions attracted by the area’s growing economy and promise of wealth. Addressing the full scope of the mining industry, from the mining process, smelteries and foundries, to transportation, entrepreneurs, customs, trade and crafts, the medieval mining law of Europe, and Serbia as well, stipulated strictly defined rules which were abided by everyone. Custom duties were an important source of revenue for the Nemanjić state, and, by extension, a measure of the volume of both trade in any given settlement and mining production in the area. Roman Catholic parishes began appearing in Serbian mining regions in the early 14th century, as one of the privileges Serbian rulers had granted the Saxon miners who settled there. If this data is considered from the standpoint of the economy as a whole, it can be said that the territory of Kosovo and Metohia, along with the surrounding areas, constituted an indivisible whole – and the central economic region of the medieval Serbian state.

• Details
• Contents