The Saleby Runestone , designated as Vg 67 in the Rundata catalog, was originally located in Saleby, Västra Götaland County , Sweden , which is in the historic province of Västergötland , and is one of the few runestones that is raised in memory of a woman.
83-478: The runic inscription and is classified as being in runestone style RAK. This is the classification for inscriptions where the runic bands do not have any serpent or beast heads at the ends, and is considered to be the oldest style. The Saleby Runestone was discovered in 1794 within the walls of the church of Saleby and then moved to its current location near Dagsnäs Castle . The stone is 2.7 metres in height and about 0.45 meters in width. The runic text states that
166-668: A knee and leg. Many Knee fibulae have small rectangular, or larger semi-circular head plates. Knee fibulae appear, like the Augen type, to have been introduced into the Roman Empire by Germanic allies. Despite their small size, their appearance in Roman military graves implies that the Knee fibula was the most popular fibula among Roman soldiers in the 2nd century AD. They are rarely found outside military sites or contexts. The Pannonian Trumpet fibula has
249-480: A bilateral spring). Certosa fibulae are often very small, but can reach lengths of over 10–15 cm. In the La Tène I, or La Tène A to B2, era (4th to 3rd centuries BC), fibula design became relatively standardised over a large geographic area, although minor stylistic variations and differences in decoration remained. The La Tène I fibula usually had a narrow bow. The spring that could be either unilateral or bilateral,
332-531: A common utilitarian clothes fastening, normally of base metal , in Iron Age and Roman Britain developed in the post-Roman period into highly elaborate and decorative marks of status in Ireland and Scotland, made in precious metals and often decorated with gems, and worn by men and women, as well as the clergy as part of their vestments when conducting services. The finest period is from the 8th and 9th centuries, before
415-475: A flat plate. Since there is little space between the fibula body and the pin (there is no arch to the body), plate fibulae could not be used to fasten much material and were therefore mainly decorative . Most plate fibulae have a hinge assembly on the back. Plate fibulae are generally associated with women's graves . The most common forms of plate fibula in the 1st century AD were round (disc), diamond, oval and lunula ( crescent - or moon-shaped). In Roman Britain
498-448: A handful from Eastern Europe (Poland, Romania, Ukraine). A silver-plated copper disk, originally part of a sword-belt, found at Liebenau, Lower Saxony with an early 5th-century runic inscription (mostly illegible, interpreted as possibly reading rauzwih ) is classed as the earliest South Germanic (German) inscription known by the RGA (vol. 6, p. 576); the location of Liebenau is close to
581-403: A long foot. The arch was made up of two, or even three, separate, but parallel, arches. These arches are either wide and flat or narrow and tall. The Trident fibula has a rounded arch and long foot and a wide, flat head plate with three points. The entire fibula looks like a trident . Claims that this was the standard fibula of the Roman navy are unfounded. The use of plate fibulae continued in
664-505: A much earlier date also had hinges, although this design feature was very rare and soon died out for nearly five centuries. For example, the Asia Minor Decorated Arc Fibula (Blinkenberg Type XII Variation 16) dates to the 5th century BC. Different types of fibula construction were used contemporaneously. Though the introduction of the hinge was later than the introduction of the spring, the spring remained in use long after
747-476: A number of Christian inscriptions from the time of Christianization . St. Cuthbert's coffin , dated to 698, even has a runic monogram of Christ , and the Whitby II bone comb (7th century) has a pious plea for God's help, deus meus, god aluwaldo, helpæ Cy... "my God, almighty God, help Cy…". The Ruthwell Cross inscription could also be mentioned, but its authenticity is dubious; it might have been added only in
830-608: A pair of spectacles or eye glasses . These fibulae, such as the Haslau type and the St. Lucija type, were found in the 9th to 7th centuries BC. Some spectacle fibula were very large with spirals up to 10 cm across. A variant that appeared in the 6th century BC had four small spirals with a square, or squarish, cover plate on the middle, the Vierpass type. The Villanovan culture in Italy introduced
913-537: A preference for valuable or prestigious objects (jewelry or weapons) seems to develop, inscriptions often indicating ownership. The earliest period of Elder Futhark (2nd to 4th centuries) predates the division in regional script variants, and linguistically essentially still reflect the Common Germanic stage. Their distribution is mostly limited to southern Scandinavia, northern Germany and Frisia (the "North Sea Germanic runic Koine "), with stray finds associated with
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#1732883601508996-599: A ring found in Bopfingen has been interpreted as being inscribed with a single g , i.e. a simple X-shape that may also be ornamental. Most interpretable inscriptions contain personal names, and only ten inscriptions contain more than one interpretable word. Of these, four translate to "(PN) wrote the runes". The other six "long" interpretable inscriptions are: Other notable inscriptions: A small number of inscriptions found in eastern France may be Burgundian rather than Alemannic: Very few inscriptions can be associated with
1079-417: A semi-circular arch and a long foot that curves back under itself to return to the base of the arch. They have bilateral springs. The bows of P-Shaped fibulae are usually semi-circular in cross-section and are decorated with ribs. P-Shaped fibulae were found from the 2nd to the early 4th centuries. There were other bow fibula variations of the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. The Divided Bow type has an arched bow and
1162-462: A series of variations of the bow fibula in the 8th and 7th centuries BC. In these so-called Italianate fibulae, the bow begins, at the head, with a semi-circular form, but bends at its apex to angle straight down to the foot that was often lengthened and extended. The bow was often decorated with moulded knobs or spikes. The rear half of the bow was sometimes bent into a wavy, kinked shape. The latter variants were known as serpentine fibulae. Meanwhile,
1245-468: A sinuous, s-shaped profile. The La Tène I era also saw the introduction of the first animal, or zoomorphic , designs. These included birds and horses and could either be flat, with a short bilateral spring on the back, or three-dimensional ("in the round") with a long bilateral spring at the head. In the La Tène II, or La Tène C era (2nd century BC), the foot of the fibula actually bent back to touch
1328-518: A stage of development before the runes became fixed as a separate script in its own right. The known inscriptions from Alemannia mostly date to the century between AD 520 and 620. There are some 70 inscriptions in total, about half of them on fibulae. Some are explicitly dedications among lovers, containing leub "beloved", or in the case of the Bülach fibula fridil "lover". Most were found in Germany, in
1411-408: A status or profession such as single woman, married woman, man, warrior, or chief. Some Roman-era fibulae may symbolize specific ranks or positions in the Roman legions or auxiliary. In some cultures, fibulae were worn in pairs and could be linked by a length of chain. The Romans also used fibulas to fasten the foreskin above the penis, thus hiding the glans, this was done both to show modesty and in
1494-457: A very large triangular or square catch plate. Some of the large square catch plates were decorated with complex incised geometric or figural designs. Some of the fibula had a flat back indicating that they were likely cast in simple, open moulds . The Iron Age saw an expansion in the use of fibulae. The rounded bow fibula underwent several variations and were usually highly decorated with incised or moulded geometric designs. In one variation,
1577-402: A warlock or sorcerer was an evil perversion predated the conversion of Scandinavia to Christianity . The text is carved in the younger futhark and contains one bind rune , which is a ligature of two runes. On Vg 67 the runemaster combined a u-rune with a k-rune in the word au=k ("and"). Both of the personal names in the inscription have names of Norse pagan gods as an element of
1660-513: A wide flaring head like the bell of a trumpet . However, unlike a straight trumpet, the Pannonian Trumpet fibula is sharply bent near the head. This Germanic design was found in and around Pannonia but was exported as widely as Britain . The P-Shaped type is another common 2nd-century AD fibula design that originated among the Germanic peoples . The P-Shaped fibula, or Almgren Type 162, has
1743-646: Is also called the Illyrian and is found in Pannonia ( Hungary ), Dacia ( Romania ) and Serbia . The late 1st century AD saw the introduction of the Kraftig Profilierte group of fibula designs. Kraftig Profilierte fibulae have a wide fan-, or bell -shaped head and a long thin pointy foot. They have long bilateral hinges. There are three main variations of the Kraftig Profilierte fibula. The North Pannonian Double Knot type, found in Pannonia has two knobs, or knots, on
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#17328836015081826-484: Is an inscription made in one of the various runic alphabets . They generally contained practical information or memorials instead of magic or mythic stories. The body of runic inscriptions falls into the three categories of Elder Futhark (some 350 items, dating to between the 2nd and 8th centuries AD), Anglo-Frisian Futhorc (some 100 items, 5th to 11th centuries) and Younger Futhark (close to 6,000 items, 8th to 12th centuries). The total 350 known inscriptions in
1909-401: Is the spring, which provides tension to the pin. The spring could be unilateral or bilateral. A unilateral spring winds in one direction only. Unilateral springs are the earlier type, first appearing around the 14th century BC. Bilateral springs wind in one or more loops on one side of the pin and then cross over or under the bow and continue with more loops on the other side. They appeared around
1992-538: Is uncertain whether they qualify as inscriptions at all. The division into Scandinavian, North Sea (Anglo-Frisian), and South Germanic inscriptions makes sense from the 5th century. In the 3rd and 4th centuries, the Elder Futhark script was still in its early phase of development, with inscriptions concentrated in what is now Denmark and Northern Germany . The tradition of runic literacy continued in Scandinavia into
2075-650: The Elder Futhark script fall into two main geographical categories, North Germanic (Scandinavian, c. 267 items) and Continental or South Germanic ( "German" and Gothic, c. 81 items). These inscriptions are on many types of loose objects, but the North Germanic tradition shows a preference for bracteates , while the South Germanic one has a preference for fibulae . The precise figures are debatable because some inscriptions are very short and/or illegible so that it
2158-593: The Franks , reflecting their early Romanization and Christianization. An important find is the Bergakker inscription , suggested as recording 5th-century Old Frankish . The only other inscription definitely classified as Frankish is the Borgharen buckle, reading bobo (a Frankish personal name). Fibula (brooch) A fibula (/ˈfɪbjʊlə/, pl. : fibulae /ˈfɪbjʊli/) is a brooch or pin for fastening garments, typically at
2241-600: The Goths from Romania and Ukraine . Linguistically, the 3rd and 4th centuries correspond to the formation of Proto-Norse , just predating the separation of West Germanic into Anglo-Frisian , Low German and High German . About 260 items in Elder Futhark, and close to 6,000 items (mostly runestones) in Younger Futhark. The highest concentration of Elder Futhark inscriptions is in Denmark. An important Proto-Norse inscription
2324-1095: The Neolithic period and the Bronze Age . In turn, fibulae were replaced as clothing fasteners by buttons in the Middle Ages. Their descendant, the modern safety pin, remains in use today. In ancient Rome and other places where Latin was used, the same word denoted both a brooch and the fibula bone because a popular form for brooches and the shape of the bone were thought to resemble one another. Some fibulae were also sometimes used as votive gifts for gods. Lost fibulae, usually fragments, are frequently dug up by amateur coin and relic hunters using metal detectors . Most fibulae are made of bronze (more properly " copper alloy ") or iron , or both. Some fibulae are made of precious metals such as silver or gold . Most fibulae are made of only one or two pieces. Many fibulae are decorated with enamel , semi-precious stones , glass , coral or bone . Fibulae were composed of four components:
2407-512: The Viking Age , developing into the Younger Futhark script. Close to 6,000 Younger Futhark inscriptions are known, many of them on runestones . The following table lists the number of known inscriptions (in any alphabet variant) by geographical region: Elder Futhark inscriptions were rare, with very few active literati, in relation to the total population, at any time, so that knowledge of
2490-527: The states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria . A lesser number originates in Hessen and Rheinland-Pfalz , and outside of Germany there is a single example from Switzerland, and a small number of what are likely Burgundian inscriptions from eastern France. The precise number of inscriptions is debatable, as some proposed inscriptions consist of a single sign, or a row of signs that may also be "rune-like", in imitation of writing, or purely ornamental. For example,
2573-507: The 10th century. Unlike the situation on the continent, the tradition of runic writing does not disappear in England after Christianization but continues for a full three centuries, disappearing after the Norman conquest . A type of object unique to Christianized Anglo-Saxon England are the six known Anglo-Saxon runic rings of the 9th to 10th centuries. Apart from the earliest inscriptions found on
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2656-537: The 2nd and 3rd centuries. In one later variation during this time, the Tutulus type, the circular disc plate was extended upwards to form a cone . The use of enamelled inlay continued until the end of the 3rd century AD. A variation of the P-shaped fibula, the tied foot fibula has a foot that returns to the bow but then wraps, or ties, around the bow. Many Tied Foot fibulae have long bilateral springs. The tied foot fibula
2739-419: The 2nd century AD. A common and widespread design was the Augen (or Eye) fibula, which has a longer bow and a long, flat, wide foot. It has a short bilateral spring. Many Augen fibulae are decorated with a pair of ringed dots, or eyes, on the flat foot. Augen fibulae appear to have been introduced to the Roman Empire by Germanic peoples , notably Marcomanni , serving as Roman auxiliaries . The Aucissa fibula
2822-400: The 2nd century CE. Simple flat shapes were replaced with enamelled versions or more complex shapes. These included animal ( zoomorphic ) shapes ( birds , horses , rabbits , flies, etc.), letters or words, abstract symmetrical or asymmetrical designs (including the so-called Celtic Trumpet designs), and skeuomorphic designs ( symbolic designs). Most designs continued in use throughout
2905-489: The 3rd and 4th centuries, has small, simple knobs and a foot that is shorter than the bow. Type II, dating to the 4th century, has larger knobs and a foot that is approximately the same length as the bow. Type III, also dating to the 4th century, has a foot that is longer than the bow. There are several variants of the Type III based on the decoration of the foot: dotted circles, chevrons , or curlicues . Another variant, dating to
2988-543: The 4th and 5th centuries, the Bugelkopf type, has no transverse bar, or arms at all but retains the round knob at the head. There are numerous types of post-Roman fibulae. The so-called Gothic group of bow fibulae have a round or triangular flat head plate, often with 3, 5 or 7 knobs, a small arched bow and a long flat diamond shaped foot. They were widely used by the Germanic Visigoths , Ostrogoths , and Gepids , and
3071-658: The 4th and 5th centuries. The cessation of both the Gothic and Alemannic runic tradition coincides with the Christianization of the respective peoples. Lüthi (2004:321) identifies a total of about 81 continental inscriptions found south of the "North Germanic Koine". Most of these originate in southern Germany ( Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria ), with a single one found south of the Rhine ( Bülach fibula , found in Bülach , Switzerland ), and
3154-429: The 6th century BC. Bilateral springs can be very short, with only one or two revolutions per side, or up to 10 cm long. Most bilateral springs are made of one piece of metal and therefore have a spring cord, a piece of wire extending from one end of the spring to the other. The spring cord can pass in front of or behind the fibulae body. Bilateral springs wrap around a pin or axle. These are usually made of iron even if
3237-592: The 6th century, with transitional examples like the Björketorp or Stentoften stones. In the early 9th century, both the older and the younger futhark were known and used, which is shown on the Rök runestone . By the 10th century, only Younger Futhark remained in use. Some 110 items (not including coins) spanning the 5th to 11th centuries. The 5th-century Undley bracteate is considered the earliest known Anglo-Frisian inscription. The 8th-century Franks Casket , preserved during
3320-506: The 8th and 7th centuries BC saw the introduction of the so-called Phrygian bow fibulae in Asia Minor . These fibulae had a near-perfect semi-circular arch sometimes decorated with knobs or round flanges. In the same period, the Hand or Arm fibula spread from Cyprus , where it appears to have originated, to Syria , Assyria and Persia . In this design the bow was bent 90 degrees at the apex giving
3403-690: The Middle Ages in Brioude , central France, exhibits the longest coherent inscriptions in Anglo-Saxon runes by far, including five alliterating long-lines, qualifying as the oldest preserved Anglo-Saxon poetry. While the Nordic bracteates are jewelry imitating Roman gold coins, there were a number of actual coins (currency) in Anglo-Saxon England inscribed with runes, notably the coins from Kent, inscribed with pada , æpa and epa (early 7th century). There are
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3486-504: The Roman-era crossbow fibulae but were not the latter's direct precursor. In another variation of the rounded bow fibula, the bow became fat and swollen-looking. In many of these Leech Bow, or Sanguisuga, fibulae the catch plate became large and triangular. Another variant, the Certosa type, had a small square or ribbon cross-section bow and a short bilateral spring (possibly the first use of
3569-651: The Vikings disrupted the societies. Ornate Irish examples in the period are usually "pseudo-penannular"; in fact closed rings, but imitating the penannular form. Examples like the Tara Brooch are among the most spectacular pieces of jewellery of the Early Medieval period. When the Vikings began to raid and settle the British Isles, they took to wearing these brooches, but now in plain silver. The thistle and bossed types were
3652-529: The ancient "safety pin" types, and for types from the British Isles . For Continental archaeologists, all metal jewellery clothes-fasteners are usually "fibulae". There are hundreds of different types of fibulae. They are usually divided into families that are based upon historical periods, geography, and/or cultures. Fibulae are also divided into classes that are based upon their general forms. Fibulae replaced straight pins that were used to fasten clothing in
3735-525: The belief that it helped preserve the voice. The first fibulae design, violin bow fibulae ( drahtbugel in German), appeared in the late Bronze Age . This simple design, with a unilateral spring, looks remarkably like a modern safety pin . The violin bow fibula has a low flat arch; the body runs parallel to the pin so it resembles a violin bow. The bow could be round, square, or flat and ribbon-like in cross-section. Some had simple punched or incised decoration on
3818-404: The body, pin, spring, and hinge. The body of a fibula is known as either the bow or the plate, depending on the basic form. A bow is generally long and narrow, and often arched. A plate is flat and wide. Plates could be solid or openwork. The body was often decorated. The head is the end of the fibula with the spring or hinge . The foot is the end of the fibula where the pin closes. Depending on
3901-577: The boundary of the North Sea and South Germanic zones. Out of about a dozen candidate inscriptions, only three are widely accepted to be of Gothic origin: the gold ring of Pietroassa , bearing a votive inscription, part of a larger treasure found in the Romanian Carpathians , and two spearheads inscribed with what is probably the weapon's name, one found in the Ukrainian Carpathians, and
3984-455: The bow and was wrapped around it. Many La Tène II fibulae had long bilateral springs. It is important to be aware that this type of construction was in use several centuries later in the tied-foot and returned-foot types of fibulae. These latter types are sometimes known as pseudo-La Tène fibulae. In the La Tène III, or La Tène D era (1st century BC), the raised foot was no longer wrapped around
4067-516: The bow but was attached directly to it by casting or welding creating a loop above the foot. In one variant, the Nauheim type, the bow widened into a flat triangle or diamond. In another variant, the Schussel type, the ribbon-like bow widened at the head into a rounded arrowhead shape that covered the spring. The rapid spread of the Roman Empire by the 1st century AD resulted in a tremendous growth in
4150-553: The bow. The Single Knot type, found in the central Balkans , has a single knob. The Black Sea type, found in the steppes north of the Black Sea , has a thin body, with no flaring near the head, and two knots. Kraftig Profilierte fibulae were found in the late 1st to late 2nd centuries AD and are mostly associated with the Przeworsk proto- Gothic culture. The 1st century AD saw the widespread use of plate fibulae. Plate fibulae consist of
4233-690: The bow. Violin bow fibula, such as the Peschiera type and the Unter-Radl type, was introduced in the 14th century BC (Late Mycenean III era) by the Myceneans on the Greek Peloponnesus . The fibula soon spread to Crete , Cyprus and Mycenean trading posts in Sicily . There were several variants of the violin bow fibula. The bow could bend, or zig-zag from side to side while still remaining flat and parallel to
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#17328836015084316-599: The continent along the North Sea coast (the "North Germanic Koine ", Martin 2004:173), continental inscriptions can be divided in those of the "Alemannic runic province" (Martin 2004), with a few dozen examples dating to the 6th and 7th centuries, and those associated with the Goths , loosely scattered along the Oder to south-eastern Poland, as far as the Carpathian Mountains (e.g. the ring of Pietroassa in Romania), dating to
4399-461: The early 5th century ( Einang stone , Kylver Stone ), although the Svingerud Runestone , discovered in 2021, is dated even earlier. The longest known inscription in the Elder Futhark, and one of the youngest, consists of some 200 characters and is found on the early 8th-century Eggjum stone , and may even contain a stanza of Old Norse poetry . The transition to Younger Futhark begins from
4482-477: The fibula a triangular shape when viewed from the side. The bow was usually decorated with a series of rings and dots. The catch plate usually had the form of a hand, making the entire fibula resemble an arm. In the 7th and 6th centuries BC, a series of variations of the bow fibula appeared in the southern Balkans , known variously as Greek, Macedonian , or Thracian bow fibulae. The high arched bow of these fibulae had large fins or knobs. The bow usually ended in
4565-550: The fibula designs common in the 1st century AD continued to some extent into the second, although usually in more complex variations. A new design, the Head Stud type, has a long bow with a stud , or occasionally a ring, at the head. The Knee fibula, a common design in the 2nd century AD, originated in Roman Pannonia (modern Hungary ). With its short, fat bow that incorporates a 90 degree bend, archeologists thought it resembled
4648-622: The foot of the fibula that had previously terminated at the end of the arch with a simple catch plate, lengthened significantly. These extended foot fibulae, such as the Kahn type and the Pauken type, were found in the 7th to 5th centuries BC. The first long, bilateral springs appeared on some of these variants in the Hallstatt D2 era (5th century BC). These fibulae, such as the Doublezier type, looked similar to
4731-517: The hinge was introduced. Therefore, a given fibula with a hinge is not necessarily more recent than one with a spring. Fibulae were originally used to fasten clothing. They represent an improvement on the earlier straight pin which was less secure and could fall out. While the head of the earlier straight pin was often decorated, the bow or plate of the fibula provided a much increased scope for decoration. Among some cultures , different fibula designs had specific symbolic meanings . They could refer to
4814-577: The late 1st century BC. The Straight Wire fibula, also known as the Soldier's type or Legionnaire 's type, is a very plain design. It resembles the violin bow fibula of over one thousand years earlier except that the bow has slightly more of an arch and the spring in (short) bilateral not unilateral. The Straight Wire fibula is found through the 1st century AD. In the 1st century AD, for the first time, several fibula designs originated in Roman Britain . Perhaps
4897-470: The low flat arch of the violin bow fibula. At first, the bow was thin. In later variants the bow was made of thicker metal or of two pieces of thin wire twisted together. These rounded bow fibulae were first found in the 12th century BC, but lasted in use in some places for more than five centuries. The third Bronze Age design of fibula consisted of horizontal wire spirals . The spectacle fibula (brillen in German) consisted of two spirals joined. It resembles
4980-419: The meaning of the word depended on its context. The first use of konu is to refer to Þóra as Freysteinn's wife. The second is in the phrase argʀi konu or "maleficent woman" in the curse, which appears to be related to the practice of seiðr , a type of sorcery. Runologist Erik Moltke has suggested that argʀi represents the most loathsome term the runemaster could imagine calling someone. The idea that
5063-676: The most distinctive British fibula design was the Dolphin. This was actually a series of designs including the Polden Hill type, the Langton Down type, the Colchester type and the T-Shaped type. Dolphin fibulae have a smooth arched bow that tapers from the head to end in a long point. The long bilateral spring is covered. From the top the Dolphin fibula looks like a T or the late-Roman crossbow fibula. From
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#17328836015085146-469: The most popular styles, both developing out of earlier Celtic styles. The post-Roman types are not called "fibulae" in English, though they are in other languages. There is a huge variety of medieval brooch types (the term fibula is rarely used for medieval items). The two most common are ring brooches, including square and lobed or flower designs as well as round ones, and flat plate brooches, or badges , in
5229-424: The name of a workshop . The 1st century AD saw several other bow variations. The Wolf or Wolf's Head fibula has a flat, ribbon-like bow that widens into a square section at the head. The common design of two circles and a chevron near the rear of the bow is often interpreted as a wolf 's head. The Thracian Anchor type has a wide crescent at the head giving the fibula an anchor shape. The Thracian Anchor type
5312-566: The name. Freysteinn means " Freyr 's Stone" and Þóra is a female diminutive form of Thor . + fraustin Frøystæinn + karþi gærði + kubl kumbl * þausi þausi + aftiʀ æftiʀ + þuru Þoru, + kunu konu + sino sina. + su Su ... [va]ʀ ...(s) ... + tutiʀ dottiʀ, bast Runic inscription A runic inscription
5395-415: The non-Germanic Slavs and Avars , and are found over a wide part of southern and western Europe in the 5th and 6th centuries AD. Some historians have debated whether some of these Gothic fibulae could also be attributed to the Vandals. There are also a wide variety of Anglo-Saxon fibulae from the 5th to 7th century such as the equal-arm type and the small-long type. Most Viking fibulae are variations on
5478-399: The number and design of fibulae throughout Europe and the Near East . The spread of technologically advanced workshops in the Roman Empire led to more complex fibula designs. Bows were cast in more complex forms, hinges appeared alongside bilateral springs and a wide variety of plate designs were introduced. One of the first fibula designs of the Roman-era began in the La Tène III era, in
5561-403: The other in eastern Germany, near the Oder . The inscription on the spearhead of Kovel , found in Ukraine (now lost) is a special case. Its date is very early (3rd century) and it shows a mixture of runic and Latin letters, reading ⟨TᛁᛚᚨᚱᛁDᛊ⟩ or ⟨TIᛚᚨRIDS⟩ (the i , r and s letters being identical in the Elder Futhark and Latin scripts), and may thus reflect
5644-402: The pin-hinge. Crossbow fibulae usually have three round or onion-shaped knobs: one at the head and one at each end of the transverse bar. The first crossbow fibulae, from the early 3rd century AD, has short, thin arms, no knobs, a long bow and a short foot. The later crossbow fibulae have been divided into groups by several archeologists including Keller, Prottel and Soupault. Type I, dating to
5727-427: The pin. These variants, such as the Grunwald type and the Hanua type, were found in the 12th and 11th centuries BC. In another variant, the bow, while still flat, widened out into an oval or diamond shape (blattbugel in German). These variants, such as the Kreuznach type and Reisen type, were found in the 12th to 10th centuries BC. The second major design of fibulae has a high, round arch ( bogen in German) instead of
5810-405: The rest of the fibula and spring is copper alloy. In the 1st century AD, some fibulae had springs concealed under a metal cover that was an extension of the fibula body. These are known as covered springs, or hidden springs. In the late 1st century BC or early 1st century AD, a new design appeared in some bow type fibulae. A separate pin was attached to the head-end of the bow with a small hinge. In
5893-432: The right shoulder. The fibula developed in a variety of shapes, but all were based on the safety-pin principle. Unlike most modern brooches, fibulae were not only decorative; they originally served a practical function: to fasten clothing for both sexes, such as dresses and cloaks . In English, "fibula" is not a word used for modern jewellery, but by archaeologists, who also use "brooch", especially for types other than
5976-406: The ring or annular design (see below). The ring, or annular, fibula or brooch is extremely hard to date as the design for utilitarian pieces was almost unchanged from the 2nd to the 14th centuries AD. If there is decoration, this is likely to indicate whether a given ring fibula is Roman-era fibula or a medieval brooch. The penannular brooch , with an incomplete ring and two terminals, originally
6059-520: The runes was probably an actual "secret" throughout the Migration period. Of 366 lances excavated at Illerup , only 2 bore inscriptions. A similar ratio is estimated for Alemannia, with an estimated 170 excavated graves to every inscription found (Lüthi 2004:323). Estimates of the total number of inscriptions produced are based on the "minimal runological estimate" of 40,000 (ten individuals making ten inscriptions per year for four centuries). The actual number
6142-418: The second half of the 1st century AD, hinges were introduced to plate type fibulae. One or two small plaques were cast on the back of the plate, and a pin was attached to them by a small hinge. Previously, plate-type fibulae had bilateral springs attached to the back. In the 3rd century AD, the hinge was placed in the centre of a long transverse bar, creating the famous crossbow fibula design. A few fibulae from
6225-585: The side it resembles a leaping dolphin . Another British design was the Hod Hill type. Usually quite small, Hod Hill fibulae have a shallow arched bow that appears to be made up of lumpy segments. Many Hod Hill fibulae have a pair of small side lugs . The Fantail fibula, which have a short bow that flares into a flat, wide fan-shaped foot, were common in Britain and on the European continent. The Fantail design lasted into
6308-718: The stone was raised by Freysteinn as a memorial to his wife Þóra, who is described as being "the best of her generation." The inscription ends with a curse on anyone who destroys the memorial. A similar curse also appears on the Glemminge stone in Sweden, and the Sønder Vinge runestone 2 , the Tryggevælde Runestone and the Glavendrup stone in Denmark . There is some disagreement regarding
6391-501: The translation of one of the words in these curses, rita / rata , which has been translated as "wretch", "outcast", or "warlock". Warlock is the translation accepted by Rundata. However, the use of warlock is not that the destroyer would gain any magical powers, but be considered to be unnatural and a social outcast. The inscription also uses the Old Norse word kona or konu , which translates as "woman", in two different ways, showing that
6474-409: The type of fibula and the culture in question, the head of the fibula could be worn facing up, down or sideways. The pin that is used to fasten the clothing is either a continuation of the fibula's body or a separate piece attached to the body. The fibula is closed by connecting the end of the pin to a catch plate, or pin rest. The body and pin meet at either a spring or hinge . The earliest design
6557-401: Was another widespread design. It has a high semi-circular arched bow that extended into a short foot. The bow is flat and wide and has a rounded central ridge. The bow ends, at the head, in a hinge. The Aucissa was one of the first fibulae to use a hinge instead of a spring. The foot ends in a rounded knob. Many Aucissa fibulae have the word "AVCISSA" moulded above the hinge. This is thought to be
6640-466: Was found in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD and is associated with the Wielbark Gothic culture. The classic fibula of the late-Roman era, and in fact the best known of all fibula types, is the crossbow type. The crossbow fibula consists of a highly arched semi-circular bow, usually of squarish cross-section, and a long flat foot. The fibula has a wide transverse bar (or arms) at the head containing
6723-531: Was on one of the Golden Horns of Gallehus (early 5th century). A total of 133 known inscriptions on bracteates. There are several legible and partly interpretable inscription that date from the 1st half of the 5th century such as a Silver neck ring found near Aalen with "noru" inscribed in runic alphabets on its inner edge. others discoveries were unearthed around Germany, Denmark, Norway, Hungary, Belgium, England and Bosnia. The oldest known runestones date to
6806-452: Was probably considerably higher, maybe close to 400,000 in total, so that on the order of 0.1% of the corpus has come down to us, and Fischer (2004:281) estimates a population of several hundred active literati throughout the period, with as many as 1,600 during the Alamannic "runic boom" of the 6th century. Especially the earliest inscriptions are found on all types of everyday objects. Later,
6889-457: Was wound in a fairly large diameter circle. The foot was turned up and usually ended in a decorated knob or with an applied bead or stone. In some cases the raised foot was bent back towards the bow, although it did not touch the bow. The Thraco-Getic fibula is a variant found in the eastern Balkans and used by the Getae . The fibula's foot is vertical and ends in a small knob, though later models had
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