Segane

Segane is a fictional cultural and archaeological concept used in speculative world-building and fiction. It refers to a highland society on the hypothetical continent of Valara, existing from the late Bronze Age to the early Iron Age within the story chronology.

Etymology and usage: The name Segane derives from an in-world lexeme seg- meaning “stone” or “gathering,” with alternative spellings in various texts. The term is commonly used to denote both the people and their cultural practices.

Geography and settlements: Segane communities occupy upland valleys and terraced plateaus. Settlements feature circular stone enclosures, central courtyards, and raised granaries. Excavated artifacts include pottery with geometric motifs and bronze implements, described in source material illustrating daily life and ritual spaces.

Society and economy: Society is organized around kin-based clans with a council and rotating leadership. The economy combines agriculture (barley and pulses), pastoralism, and artisan crafts such as weaving and metalworking. Trade links extend to neighboring regions via mountain passes, enabling exchange of pottery, textiles, and metals.

Language and writing: The Segane language is presented as agglutinative, with a syllabary used for monumental inscriptions. In-world texts discuss attempts to decipher inscriptions, a recurrent element that drives world-building detail and mystery.

Archaeology and reception: In-world archaeology uses Segane sites to explore themes of state formation, cultural exchange, and ritual life. The concept is also used in contemporary discussions of fictional epistemology, illustrating how a plausibly realized ancient society can inform narrative depth and world-building techniques.