Many modern scholars believe that the early Croat people, as well as other early Slavic groups, were agricultural populations that were ruled by the nomadic Iranian-speaking Alans.
Paljud tänapäeva õpetlased usuvad, et varajane horvaadi rahvas, samuti teised varajased slaavi rühmad, olid põllumajanduslik elanikkond, keda valitsesid rändavad iraani keeli kõnelevad alaanid.