DOI Heft:
Artikuły / Articles
DOI Artikel:Zapolska, Anna: The solidus of Heraclius from Wargen in Sambia – reconsidered
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.43282#0179
THE SOLIDUS OF HERACLIUS FROM WARGEN IN SAMBIA...
Baltic, which would mean that the whole set could be dated to the “earlier” stage
of the late Migration Period, i.e. phase E2b, namely, from the 570s to the early 7*
Century.82 To date, this is the only strap-end known from the Western Baltic area
that can be linked to the Avar milieu.
Likewise, the open-work disc found as a loose find, with no context, at the burial
site of Kielary is also a very rare artefact from the Western Baltic territory. To date,
this piece is the only decorative object found in this area with counterparts known
from the Avar Khaganate. Similar discs can be found in late Avar cemeteries (dated
from the 8* up to the early 9* Century), but some counterparts from earlier periods
(the early and Middle Avar) have been recorded as well.83 A somewhat similar
ornament was found in the hoard of Martinivka (dating back to the 7* Century),
which also contained many pieces reminiscent of those known from the nomadic
environment.84
The objects discussed above basically constitute the whole list of artefacts having
counterparts in the Khaganate territory. It is evident that, except for the open-work
disc from Kielary, all of them are beit parts or elements from horse harnesses. Among
the adornments known from the Western Baltic area and datable to the late stage
of the Migration Period (E2), those with Merovingian connotations are represented
in the greatest number.
PROBABLE DIRECTION AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES
OF THE INFLOW
From all the evidence discussed so far, it would follow that the area settled
by the Western Baltic tribes during the late stage of the Migration Period absorbed
some influences from the outside and could most probably be reached by a number
of trade routes from various directions. The variety of the forms of jewellery, as
found within the area under consideration, points to inspirations deriving from
Scandinavian, Danubian, and Merovingian patterns. The dating of the fibulae found
there would suggest that the initial impulses and paths of communication, beginning
from the early 5* Century, went southwards, reaching the Danubian regions, and
northwards, extending to Scandinavia. Of a slightly later origin, Merovingian
influences can be identified in the material; these influences begin to show in
the middle of this Century and have an impact on local patterns until the early 7*
Century. The latest of the influences arriving at this territory were those coming
from the Avar milieu. Most of the artefacts are datable to the late stage of phase E2,
82 Ibidew. 205.
83 RUDNICKI 2011: 119 (with fhrther literaturę).
84 Ibidem'. 119 (with further literaturę).
Baltic, which would mean that the whole set could be dated to the “earlier” stage
of the late Migration Period, i.e. phase E2b, namely, from the 570s to the early 7*
Century.82 To date, this is the only strap-end known from the Western Baltic area
that can be linked to the Avar milieu.
Likewise, the open-work disc found as a loose find, with no context, at the burial
site of Kielary is also a very rare artefact from the Western Baltic territory. To date,
this piece is the only decorative object found in this area with counterparts known
from the Avar Khaganate. Similar discs can be found in late Avar cemeteries (dated
from the 8* up to the early 9* Century), but some counterparts from earlier periods
(the early and Middle Avar) have been recorded as well.83 A somewhat similar
ornament was found in the hoard of Martinivka (dating back to the 7* Century),
which also contained many pieces reminiscent of those known from the nomadic
environment.84
The objects discussed above basically constitute the whole list of artefacts having
counterparts in the Khaganate territory. It is evident that, except for the open-work
disc from Kielary, all of them are beit parts or elements from horse harnesses. Among
the adornments known from the Western Baltic area and datable to the late stage
of the Migration Period (E2), those with Merovingian connotations are represented
in the greatest number.
PROBABLE DIRECTION AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES
OF THE INFLOW
From all the evidence discussed so far, it would follow that the area settled
by the Western Baltic tribes during the late stage of the Migration Period absorbed
some influences from the outside and could most probably be reached by a number
of trade routes from various directions. The variety of the forms of jewellery, as
found within the area under consideration, points to inspirations deriving from
Scandinavian, Danubian, and Merovingian patterns. The dating of the fibulae found
there would suggest that the initial impulses and paths of communication, beginning
from the early 5* Century, went southwards, reaching the Danubian regions, and
northwards, extending to Scandinavia. Of a slightly later origin, Merovingian
influences can be identified in the material; these influences begin to show in
the middle of this Century and have an impact on local patterns until the early 7*
Century. The latest of the influences arriving at this territory were those coming
from the Avar milieu. Most of the artefacts are datable to the late stage of phase E2,
82 Ibidew. 205.
83 RUDNICKI 2011: 119 (with fhrther literaturę).
84 Ibidem'. 119 (with further literaturę).