sanisera fieldschool 2010, sesiion 4: visigoths and culture, by abby halpern

Abby Halpern

Session 4

20 June 2010

VISIGOTHS AND CULTURE

Pushed south of the Danube by the Huns in 376 AD

OVERALL HISTORY

Moved into Roman territory and eventually overthrew the Romans

Migrated farther south settling in mostly France (Gaul) and across Spain

Eventually the Arabs took over Spain in 711 AD

CULTURAL ASPECTS

Adopted many of the same techniques, styles, clothing, and accessories from the Romans (combs, etc.)

Religiously focused on Christianity, evidenced in symbolism

Agrarian lifestyle with an additional focus on fishing in harbor settlements

BURIAL STYLE

Change in the middle of the third century from cremation to inhumation

East-West orientation adopted

Tomb found at Sansiera June 2010

CLOTHING STYLE AND ACCESSORIES

Fibulae Belt Buckles Combs Jewelry

FIBULAE Acted as brooches and to

fasten clothing Composition

Bronze Iron (silver or gold)

Decoration Enamel Semi-precious stones Glass Coral Bone

Symbolic and status meanings

BELT BUCKLES

Curls and shapes present sometimes to even create an overall decoration

Usually made with bronze

JEW

ELR

YEarrings

Beads

Rings

Necklaces

Visigothic earring found at Sanisera June 2010

CITATIONS

http://users.stlcc.edu/mfuller/sca/spainmetal.html

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/oldworld/europe/visigoths.html

http://mek.niif.hu/03400/03407/html/24.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibula_%28brooc

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