The brooch with 17 blue glass beads and green garnet stones belonged to a wealthy 20-year-old girl in the Middle Ages.
A team of experts at the Archaeological Soil Research Organization found a gold brooch in the grave of a 20-year-old girl from the 7th century in Riehentorstrasse, Rebgasse region, Basel city, Switzerland, Ancient Origins on September 29. 11 reported. The tomb is one of 15 early medieval tombs discovered. Some graves contain many valuable artifacts, but the gold brooch still stands out.
The surface of the pin once had 17 blue glass beads and green garnet stones attached, showing the noble social status of the tomb owner. Archaeologists believe that the girl’s family may have owned land in the Kleinbasel area about 1,400 years ago.
Experts have known about the existence of a medieval burial site at Riehentorstrasse since the 19th century. The woman’s tomb and remains were accidentally destroyed during construction in the 20th century, but At that time, the pin had not yet been discovered.
The pin is made from a colored metal base plate, covered with gold on top. Most likely it was once used to pin a cloak around a woman’s neck, but the cloak is no longer there. This type of device, called a pin, was used throughout Europe in the early Middle Ages. They are considered the most popular Anglo-Saxon pin style.
In addition to the gold pin, a woman’s social status is also shown through other jewelry on her upper body, including 160 pearls, glass beads, amethysts and amber, all studded with pearls. into the cloak that has now disappeared. There is also a leather strap with a large amber pendant and small metal crosses.
A woman’s waistband also represents wealth. It is made of iron with a silver plated latch. The belt had a hook that held several Roman coins, metal objects, and a comb made of bone. “The cemetery seems to have been a ‘hot spot’, a burial place for especially wealthy people,” said Basel-based archaeologist Guido Lassau.
Other finds at the cemetery include a girl’s grave with a gold-plated belt buckle, 380 pearls, a large silver-plated belt in a child’s grave, scissors, and a comb. Lassau said that the burial site is richer than previously thought. Authorities plan to continue excavations in January 2023, and organize an exhibition to display new findings.
