Noric-Pannonian double-headed fibulae in the east of the Barbaricum

Abstract

In urn grave 56 of the Przeworsk cemetery of Podrzecze in Poland a relatively rich woman was buried in a three-fibula costume of foreign origin; it included a brooch A.237 - variant 237b after Garbsch. In the primary region of occurrence these fibulae are classified as clearly part of female period costume. The inventories in the Germanic Barbaricum are rare but were relatively rich; however, they can not be associated with the top-most social group. In new cultural landscapes a functional change apparently took place: Such fibulae also occurred in burials with weapons, i. e. in male graves which could by no means be attributed to the martial elite. This raises the question whether the beginning of the influx of these fibulae in the Barbaricum - at least in the Polish area - can be seen in connection with the after-effects of the Katualda war. Theoretically it would be possible to interpret the female graves - at
least the ones with richer fibula sets - as burials of foreigners (for example marital relations). Taking into account other similar Germanic find contexts, the lady from Podrzecze would more likely be part of the indigenous background.