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The origins of Slovakia: the amazing evolution from the Stone Age to the Great Moravia Empire!
Slovakia, officially the Slovak Republic, is a landlocked country located in Central Europe. Its surrounding countries include Poland in the north, Ukraine in the east, Hungary in the south, Austria in the west, and the Czech Republic in the northwest. Slovakia's mountainous terrain covers approximately 49,000 square kilometers and is home to a population of over 5.4 million people. The capital and largest city is Bratislava, while the second largest city is Kosice. The Slavic peoples entered the territory of today's Slovakia between the fifth and sixth centuries AD and gradually established their culture and political system in the following centuries.
The name Slovakia literally means "Slavic land" and is derived from the ancient elastic form.
Early footprints of humans
The oldest surviving human artifacts in Slovakia date back to the Early Paleolithic Age, approximately 270,000 years ago. Tools discovered by archaeologists near Novi Mestona de Vahom show evidence of ancient human presence. With the arrival of Celtic tribes, local culture was also significantly affected, and many noble tombs and cultural sites were discovered one after another, showing the prosperity of the area.
Development of the Bronze Age
During the Bronze Age, the geographical area of present-day Slovakia went through three stages of development, from 2000 to 800 BC. This phase saw a significant increase in copper production, especially in central Slovakia, resulting in an improvement in the living standards of local residents. As the Lusatian culture emerged, they built powerful fortifications and showed significant advances in trade and agriculture.
Impact of the Iron Age
Hallstatt period
In 500 BC, during the Hallstatt period of the Iron Age, the local residents changed with the arrival of tribes. The monumental tombs of this period reveal the rich diversity of social classes and cultures. During this period, the production of weaving and textiles developed and these crafts became an important pillar of the local economy.
The influence of Latin period and Rome
With the expansion of the Roman Empire, many Roman military stations appeared in today's Slovakia, such as Carnutum. Not only were these garrisons powerful militarily, they also attracted commercial activities and cultural exchanges, and influenced local lifestyles and language structures.
The rise of the Great Moravian Empire
The formation of the Great Moravia Empire was an important milestone in Slovak history. Around 830 AD, Moimir I unified the Slavic tribes settled north of the Jordan River, and in 867, the Christian saints Cyril and Methodius preached Christianity to the area, further solidifying the foundation of Slavic culture. . During this period, Slovakia became an important cultural and political center, allowing local national consciousness to gradually form.
At its peak, the Great Moravia Empire was famous for its zealous promotion of Slavic literature and language, which paved the way for later cultural influences.
The Rise and Fall of Kingdoms
With the collapse of the Great Moravia Empire around 907, the Slovak region was annexed by the Hungarians, marking the beginning of a long period of external rule. This period of history not only brought about changes in the way of governance, but also had a profound impact on culture and social structure. The establishment of the Kingdom of Hungary and the arrival of German and Jewish immigrants made the ethnic structure of this region increasingly diverse.
The making of modern Slovakia
After a century of twists and turns, Slovakia declared independence on January 1, 1993 and became a brand new country. Since then, Slovakia has made significant developments in economy, culture and other fields, and has gradually integrated into the European integration process. However, in the face of various challenges in modern society, how this land balances the needs of tradition and modernization is still a question worth pondering?
