DOI: 10.33547/PraceArch.69.25
Anmerkungen zu eisenzeitlichen Fibeln in Vorratsgruben
by Bernhard Sicherl 1
1 – Archäologie am Hellweg eG, Münster, Deutschland
In: M. S. Przybyła, K. Dzięgielewski (eds.), Chasing Bronze Age rainbows. Studies on hoards and related phenomena in prehistoric Europe in honour of Wojciech Blajer, Prace Archeologiczne 69, Kraków: Institute of Archaeology, Jagiellonian University / Profil-Archeo, 2019, pp. 509-532.
Abstract: Notes on Iron Age fibulae in storage pits. Based on Iron Age storage pits, in which two fibulae of the same type have been found, the question is discussed whether they could be intentional deposits and how they might be motivated. There are some indicia (pairs, specific distribution and state of conservation), that they were deposited in the majority as votive offerings during the filling process of the pits. In individual cases, however, it is quite difficult to decide whether it is an deposit or waste in a settlement. According to mapping, especially for the zone between the Main and the northern edge of the German Mittelgebirgszone and during Lt C–D, fibula votive objects in storage pits are to be expected. Whether this also applies to older times and other regions, have to be very uncertain. Afterwards, a focus were given on similar phenomena (fibulae from wells and cisterns, springs, rivers and bogs). Apart from a single cistern of La Tène Period with a pair of fibula, votive offerings of fibulae in fountains are clearly indicated only at Roman times. On the other hand, fibulae deposited in humid environment are more numerous. They follow the tradition of Bronze Age needle offerings. The emergence of the fibula votive deposition in storage pits is probably favored due valorization of those pits in earlier existing fertility rites.
Key words: storage pits, fibulae, votive offerings, La Tène Period, Mittelgebirgszone